User profile for user: Eduardo Ayres
Eduardo Ayres Author
User level: Level 1
39 points

Is Apple Pencil 1st Generation a defective product?

I have issues with my iPad for quite a while, but now I am having it with my Apple Pencil 1st generation. I bought it in 2018 and both seem to not be working well.​ ​However, today I had a very unpleasant experience with Apple.


My Pencil was not working on my iPad, I contacted the support and they were very kind and help me going through a bunch of steps including ​unpair and pair​ the Bluetooth connection​ ​of ​the pencil to my iPad. In the end, we scheduled an appointment for me to visit an Apple Store.


I took the time to go on a Saturday afternoon during the holidays to visit the store. Waited for 20 minutes (even having an appointment). The guy at the Apple Store examine my Apple Pencil 1st generation for 1 minute, unpaired and paired it with my iPad​ again, and it didn't solve the issue.​​ He told me ​that there is no way for Apple to access the pencil 1st generation software to see what is wrong with it​ and that the common procedure is to replace it. He offered an Apple Pencil for $75 dollars that will have 3 months warranty. 


Conclusion:


1. Apple Pencil 1st generation doesn't have a software that allows identifying issues with it. So if it stops working, it must be replaced.​ And I, as the consumer, must pay for a defective item they made. My Apple Pencil can't even be fixed, opened, or examined inside. The solution they have is pair and unpair it again and again until it works, or I must buy another one. Apple engineers created a disposable accessory that once showing signs of malfunction, must be replaced, but not fixed. That's the Apple Pencil 1st generation.


2. Their solution to my problem is to offer me a low-quality product (Apple Pencil replacement) that has only 3 months warranty, but almost the full price of a new one. The replacement is $75 dollars, but a new one is $99. The replacement has 3 months warranty because, of course, it is a low-quality product and Apple knows about it. If it was a trustworthy product, it will come with a one-year warranty, which doesn't.


3. They told me to visit a the Apple Store even knowing that there is no way to solve my problem, so they tried to shove a new low-quality Apple Pencil down my throat. Something I could have bought from home.


Disappointment is what I feel right now. 2 years ago I changed all my devices to Apple. Now, I know it was a terrible decision. What should I do now?


iPad Pro, iOS 13

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 7:54 PM

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User profile for user: MichelPM
MichelPM
User level: Level 10
81,525 points

Posted on Nov 30, 2019 8:10 PM

If your Apple Pencil sat around unused and not kept charged up for more than a few weeks, or so, OR LONGER, then the battery in your Apple Pencil may have failed and is dead and you will have to purchase another brand new Apple Pencil.


Sorry. It is what it is.


And it looks like some things about the Apple Pencil have not changed in the new version 2 model, either.


FYI and something Apple never divulges to it potential iPad Pro/Apple Pencil customers/users unless the potential customer/user is smart enough to ask about.


Due to the “always on and active/standby” nature of the Apple Pencil and, also, due to its very teeny, tiny rechargeable Li-ion battery ( smaller than the eraser head on a REAL wooden pencil ), the Apple Pencil needs to be constantly charged up to some significant charge level ALL THE TIME, even when not using the Pencil for prolonged periods of time.


The Apple Pencil needs to be kept charged to a minimum of 5-10% all the time!


If the Apple Pencil battery is allowed to drain down to 0% and allowed to stay in that flat condition for more than a few weeks, or so, OR EVEN LONGER, that very tiny little Li-ion battery is too small to keep at a 0%, flat state for a long period of time and it will fail and the Apple Pencil will be dead and you may have to “pop” for another $99 Apple Pencil, once again!


You need to keep your Apple Pencil charged all the time, even if it is only to 10%-15% charge. It must keep some charge level in that tiny Lithium-ion battery at all times!


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User profile for user: MichelPM
MichelPM
User level: Level 10
81,525 points

Nov 30, 2019 8:10 PM in response to Eduardo Ayres

If your Apple Pencil sat around unused and not kept charged up for more than a few weeks, or so, OR LONGER, then the battery in your Apple Pencil may have failed and is dead and you will have to purchase another brand new Apple Pencil.


Sorry. It is what it is.


And it looks like some things about the Apple Pencil have not changed in the new version 2 model, either.


FYI and something Apple never divulges to it potential iPad Pro/Apple Pencil customers/users unless the potential customer/user is smart enough to ask about.


Due to the “always on and active/standby” nature of the Apple Pencil and, also, due to its very teeny, tiny rechargeable Li-ion battery ( smaller than the eraser head on a REAL wooden pencil ), the Apple Pencil needs to be constantly charged up to some significant charge level ALL THE TIME, even when not using the Pencil for prolonged periods of time.


The Apple Pencil needs to be kept charged to a minimum of 5-10% all the time!


If the Apple Pencil battery is allowed to drain down to 0% and allowed to stay in that flat condition for more than a few weeks, or so, OR EVEN LONGER, that very tiny little Li-ion battery is too small to keep at a 0%, flat state for a long period of time and it will fail and the Apple Pencil will be dead and you may have to “pop” for another $99 Apple Pencil, once again!


You need to keep your Apple Pencil charged all the time, even if it is only to 10%-15% charge. It must keep some charge level in that tiny Lithium-ion battery at all times!


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User profile for user: MichelPM
MichelPM
User level: Level 10
81,525 points

Nov 30, 2019 8:28 PM in response to Eduardo Ayres

There are no usable serviceable parts within any version of the Apple Pencil.

The Apple Pencil is a completely sealed up tablet marking instrument/implement that cannot be accessed internally without completely destroying the Apple Pencil, itself, to acesss the components inside.

The only option for a defective Apple Pencil is purchase of another Apple Pencil or a free replacement Apple Pencil if it is still under the free, one-year AppleCare warranty.


Sorry. It is the way it is.

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User profile for user: Eduardo Ayres
Eduardo Ayres Author
User level: Level 1
39 points

Nov 30, 2019 8:20 PM in response to MichelPM

Michael, I already answered this question made by @zmclearan. I use the Apple Pencil everyday and it is always charged. It hasn't being in standby or uncharged for a long period of time. I think my post was very clear that one of the main issues is Apple being unable to identify problems with the pencil, and so implying that the customer must buy a new one. There are several issues with it, that Apple must address.


Please stop copying and paste this comment you made. I can see you are doing that with all the Apple Pencil posts you can find on the forums, which I count 10 posts so far. It doesn't even address my questions and issues with the product.

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Is Apple Pencil 1st Generation a defective product?

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