Right alongside the new iPad Pro and iPad Air, Apple dropped a brand-new version of its iconic stylus this week. The Apple Pencil Pro packs new sensors that enable haptic feedback, plus a pretty cool Barrel Roll feature—but it also comes with some surprisingly playful packaging, which feels a little out of character for the brand.
Apple’s always had a reputation for top-notch packaging design, but the first words that pop into your head are usually “clean,” “minimal,” or even “functional.” The boxes for the last few generations of iPhones and iPads follow such a strict formula that you basically know what you’re getting before you open the box. That’s definitely not the case with the Apple Pencil Pro—though, for the record, we’re already itching to get our hands on one.
Nope, you really can’t predict what you’ll get with this stylus—because there are five distinct packaging designs. Similar to the iPad Pro wallpaper optical illusion that’s been making rounds lately, each design spells out the word “Pro.” The difference here? The letters are done in a range of gorgeous brushstroke styles. As tech YouTuber Arun Maini put it: “The Apple Pencil Pro has five different box designs, and you never know which one you’ll end up with when you order.”
Now, one big reason Apple’s boxes keep getting smaller and sleeker is that the company’s dead set on ditching power adapters—for sustainability, obviously. That’s why it’s such a fun change to see Apple go a little… extra here. If you’re not willing to wait for the newest model, check out our guide to the best Apple Pencil deals you can grab right now.
