A stylus is a special “pencil” that can be used to draw, write, and turn pages on a smartphone’s touch screen. Styluses were popular when most devices had resistive screens.
A resistive screen works like this: the glass and the membrane close together when touched by any hard object. Resistive sensors have replaced capacitive ones. The latter implement a more reliable multi-touch principle - they contain an additional electrode grid. For a capacitive sensor, you need to touch a finger - a conductive element.
A regular stylus doesn't work with a capacitive screen. But manufacturers, in particular Samsung, began producing conductive “pencils”. Why do you need a stylus for a smartphone now, when all gadgets have capacitive screens? Let's try to figure it out.
Stylus for designers
It is unlikely that you can draw beautifully on the screen with your finger. To do this you need a thin object - a stylus. Designers use it to make sketches or even full-fledged drawings on their gadget - mainly on a tablet.
Samsung is the first to make it possible to draw with a stylus on a capacitive screen. They probably produce the best devices with styluses today. Here is an example of a drawing on a Galaxy Note series tablet.
Analogue of Apple Pencil for iPhone
This stylus is good for drawing
The tip of this Stylus is magnetic and does not recognize pressure.
If you need an analogue of the Apple Pencil for iPhone, then I hasten to disappoint you: it will not work with smartphones due to technical incompatibility. But I have in mind the most similar option. It is equipped with a removable tip with a flat contact part with a diameter of 1.5 mm. This is key because the iPhone's touchscreen works on a closed-circuit basis, and for the touch to be recognized, the contact pad must be slightly larger than that of a traditional Apple Pencil.
Buy alternative Pencil
Despite the contact pad being relatively thick for a tablet stylus, this pencil is perfect for drawing on an iPhone or an iPad. Unlike the regular Apple Pencil, this one does not require a Bluetooth connection, and therefore does not recognize the degree of pressure. However, for it to work as expected, it must be enabled. Just press the activation button, and the stylus will work, and after 30 minutes of inactivity it will go into sleep mode.
Handwritten notes
Many people are still not used to typing text on a keyboard. The stylus can be used to write by hand on the screen of a smartphone or tablet. Why take notebooks, pencil cases with stationery to a seminar, lecture or to work? You can take a device, a stylus, and write as many notes as you like.
By the way, documents are often filled out by hand using a stylus. This is more convenient than putting printed text, sometimes filling out by hand - a requirement of government agencies.
And the stylus allows you to sign documents online.
Types of touch screens
Before you start making a stylus, you need to know what type of screen your smartphone has: resistive or capacitive.
The resistive screen responds to the touch of any object. Its operating principle is based on a thin and flexible membrane, which is located on top of the display. When we click on it, it connects to the main part of the display. We won’t go into technical details - what interests us is that the resistive screen responds to touches from any object. This means that a stylus for a resistive display can have a tip made of any hard material.
Resistive displays are now almost never used for smartphones and tablets. They have found application in electronic books, projectors, and PDAs. This is largely due to the fact that they do not tolerate low temperatures well - it is better not to go out into the cold with such a device.
The capacitive display only responds to touches of conductive objects. Our finger is just like that. The operating principle of a capacitive display is also quite simple. Low AC current is supplied to the display. When the display is touched by an object with the properties of a conductor, current leaks. The sensors record this and instantly calculate the coordinates of the touch. The stylus for such a screen must have an electrically conductive tip.
How to determine the type of display? It's very simple - take the pen cap and move it across the screen. Reacting? This means the display is resistive. Zero reaction? Capacitive.
Stylus with pen for iPhone
2 in 1 stylus - how do you like that?
It has a stylus on one side and a ballpoint pen on the other.
For lovers of everything universal, I have this stylus. This is a 2 in 1 solution that combines both a regular refill pen that writes with blue ink and a capacitive stylus. The pen is on one side, the stylus is on the other . Despite the strangeness of this setup, its practical benefits are higher than those of classical solutions. Well, think for yourself: carrying a regular stylus with you is still a pleasure. Even if it's small, it's one more extra thing.
Buy a 2 in 1 stylus
A pen with a built-in stylus is another matter. Many people constantly carry a pen with them: to sign something or purely for the sake of respectability. But the need to leave an autograph often arises not only on paper, but also on documents presented in electronic format. I myself periodically sign documents on my iPhone or iPad and send them by mail. But doing this with your finger is not very convenient. For this role it is much more comfortable to use a stylus.
Buy a cheap stylus for iPhone
This stylus is also suitable for drawing, but not as good as the previous one
The tip of this Stylus is made with a silicone edge for more precise positioning
For those who need something cheaper, there is this option. This stylus for iPhone about five times less than the previous one, but it is a little simpler. Firstly, there is no need to force it to turn on. It has a small magnet at the end, which is responsible for closing the circuit, simulating touch. And, secondly, the contact pad of this stylus is arranged a little differently: the magnet is covered by a silicone pad, which is needed for more precise positioning and maintaining contact when tilted.
Buy a stylus for iPhone
The manufacturer claims this stylus as a solution for drawing, but, in my opinion, it is still more suitable for controlling the interface. The design of the stylus is such that drawing—at least, coloring or shading objects—will not be very convenient. But for single clicks or scrolling, it’s perfect. Take this feature into account if you decide to buy. Fortunately, such a stylus costs very little money.
Tips and pressure levels
Modern high-tech styluses support different pressure levels. The harder you press, the thicker the line. This more accurately replicates the work of a pencil, brush and other visual tools. The device can recognize, for example, 2048, 4096 or 8192 pressure levels. A separate unit, which is connected to the tip, is responsible for this.
The stylus controller detects the press due to changes in the system inductance. For example, the Samsung S Pen uses an open core with an elastic membrane between its parts. When you press the tip, the distance between the parts of the core is reduced, which introduces changes in the electromagnetic field.
A similar approach is used in accessories from other brands. Changes in the circuit are monitored by the internal controller before transmitting the signal to the smartphone. The tip itself may be different.
Depending on the purpose of the device, the following materials are used:
In most cases, the tips are removable. This allows you to replace the part if it wears out. The package may include several tips or they may be sold separately. For example, soft or hard tips.
How to make a stylus with your own hands
- Take an unnecessary ballpoint pen and remove all the elements from it, since we only need a tube.
- Next, use scissors to cut off one end of the cotton swab and insert it into the empty ballpoint pen barrel. This should be done so that the soft cotton edge is located on the outside.
- Then plug the glue gun into the outlet and wait a couple of minutes. In this case, the glue will have time to soften well.
- After this, pour glue inside the tube from the handle to firmly fix the cotton swab.
IMPORTANT! Do not leave the glue to warm up for more than 5 minutes. Since the glue, when heated to a high temperature, can melt the plastic body of the handle.
- Cut a strip of foil the length of the pen body. Apply double-sided tape to the edges of the foil for better fixation. Otherwise, it will simply slide off the tube.
- Then glue the edge of the foil onto the pen tube and begin to wind the foil tightly. In this case, you need to press one edge tightly against the cotton swab. A shiny layer of foil should be placed on the outside. It has better conductive properties.
- Moisten a cotton swab with a drop of water on a homemade stylus. Now he is completely ready to control the tablet. Such a stylus will need to be wetted periodically, since during use the water from the cotton wool will evaporate .
IMPORTANT! When the stylus does not work, it is worth checking the fit of the foil to the moistened cotton wool. If there is no good contact in this place, then the capacitive screen will refuse to work with such a stylus.
We hope that our article helped you understand how you can make a stylus for your tablet. Try to create a stylus following our instructions, and then you will definitely succeed. We wish you success!
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Rating of quality styluses for 2022
For iPad tablets
Apple Pencil
A distinctive feature of the iPad pro models with a screen diagonal of 9.7 and 12.9 inches is that they are sensitive to the touch of fingers, the force they apply, and the angles of influence. Therefore, the handles that work with the iPad pro must be of a special design in order to be able to implement all the functionality of these monitors. Apple Pencil allows you to fully reveal the functionality of these gadgets, making work comfortable and easy to use. The pen has received the best recommendations from professionals involved in 3D modeling and graphic designers. A pair of iPad pro plus Apple Pencil replaces them with a full-fledged laptop if they are far from home, for example, while on vacation.
Apple Pencil
Advantages:
- Weight - 21 grams;
- The package includes replaceable tips;
- Work via Bluetooth;
- There is a magnetic cap for easy storage of the pen;
- Quickly slide across the screen;
- Excellent build quality.
Flaws:
- Price;
- Lasts as long as an iPad pro without recharging.
Cross Townsend E-Stylus
Fountain pens and ink pens from Parker and Waterman symbolize respectability and success of the owner. Understanding this, Cross Townsend created its E-Stylus model, externally stylized to resemble the expensive fountain pens of the past. In addition to its external similarity, E-Stylus has a sophisticated, elegant “handwriting” similar to fountain pens. At the same time, it does not require any special configuration manipulations, Bluetooth connection; it is enough to simply turn it on. The color of the handle is your choice of either noble silver or solid gold.
Cross Townsend E-Stylus
Advantages:
- The package includes replaceable tips;
- Presentable appearance;
- Perfect as a gift;
- Lifetime warranty;
- Fine (2.6mm) tip size;
- Powered by a simple AAA battery.
Flaws:
- Price – 12,000 rubles.
Logitech Crayon
One of the undeniable advantages of iPads is the fact that these models can accommodate a large amount of software that was previously installed only on PCs. These include Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, text editors, presentation programs and much more. There are analogues of these programs on smartphones, but their functionality is greatly reduced. However, the iPad will not allow you to fully experience and unlock the potential of programs without a special pen. Such as Logitech Crayon. It was initially designed to meet the requirements of web designers, graphic illustrators, and artists, allowing them to realize all their ideas in digital form. The thickness of the brush when drawing changes its thickness depending on the inclination. This makes the brush operation simple and intuitive. The ergonomics of the pen are thought out; it does not slip out of your hands, without causing fatigue.
stylus Logitech Crayon
Advantages:
- Shockproof housing allows you to drop the pen;
- Supports Adobe series of programs;
- Does not roll off the work surface.
Flaws:
- No wireless charging.
Adonit Pixel Pro
The TOP of devices for iOS is completed by a device, the development of which from the very beginning was carried out for the functionality of Apple products. At its core, the characteristics of an electronic pen are more reminiscent of a computer mouse. The same control of movements on the display, the same buttons with the possibility of programming for specific tasks. In addition, the handle is equipped with proprietary Palm Rejection technology. While using the stylus, the monitor is locked to avoid accidental touches. Therefore, designers and artists working with Pixel Pro are confident that their many hours of work will avoid the fate of being destroyed by an accidental error.
Adonit Pixel Pro
Advantages:
- The set includes a magnetic stand – charging;
- Increased accuracy of point positioning;
- More than 2000 customizable sensitivity levels;
- Programmable buttons for quick access to applications.
Flaws:
- Difficult to order online;
- There is no fast charging option.
For smartphones
Wacom Bamboo Sketch
A model perfect for budget phones. Despite the low price category, the line drawn by the pen changes its density depending on the pressure. At the same time, changes from a wide line to a thin one and vice versa occur smoothly, which makes it possible to purchase the model as a “test ball” in drawing. The gadget is interesting because of its advanced functionality, which can be configured using two keys on the pen body.
Wacom Bamboo Sketch stylus
Advantages:
- Comes with a case and two tips;
- Budget price;
- Ergonomic appearance;
- You can assign specific applications to buttons.
Flaws:
- There are no instructions in Russian;
- Freezes occur periodically;
- Sometimes smooth lines turn out angular.
Jot Pro Fine
The thinner the line drawn, the more capabilities the electronic pen has. Understanding this fact, Adonit has created a nib with an ultra-fine outline. An interesting solution was also used that makes the drawing dependent on the degree of pressure. For this purpose, the conventional tip is replaced with a disk-spring design that transmits pressure to the smartphone screen. The surface of the disk is covered with silicone, which makes movements on the display smooth and not capable of damaging it. Good grip on the user's fingers is provided by the rubberized surface of the durable aluminum body.
Jot Pro Fine
Advantages:
- Very thin lines;
- Light weight thanks to the aluminum body;
- There is no need to recharge;
- Supports both OS;
- Transferring the degree of pressure to the surface.
Flaws:
- Low sensitivity;
- Requires certain handling skills.
Wiwu Picasso Active
A universal device that supports Android and iOS operating systems, with an interesting, triangular shape that is firmly fixed with the user’s fingers. The model differs from similar devices in its long life, more than 5 months of battery life, and a storage case that includes a charger, which saves space on the desktop. The case is convenient for carrying the device; magnetic clasps prevent it from opening during strong vibrations or shaking, and the shock-resistant case will protect it from shock if you drop it. The device is recharged through the case using Type-C.
Wiwu Picasso Active
Advantages:
- It is possible to connect equipment via a USB port;
- There is charging via the Qi interface;
- Beautiful aluminum shell.
Flaws:
- The price is more than 4,000 rubles.
Baseus Golden Cudgel Capacitive
The smartphone rating ends with a simple, budget device from a well-known South Korean brand. It uses technology similar to the Jot Pro Fine described above - a silicone-coated disk with a spring that transmits hand pressure. The device is completely universal, both in its ability to work on different operating systems and in its scope of application. It will be useful for beginning artists, designers, and office workers when drawing graphics and creating presentations.
Baseus Golden Cudgel Capacitive
Advantages:
- There is a clip for fastening on a jacket, shirt;
- Transfers finger pressure;
- Works with all types of smartphones, tablets.
Flaws:
- There is no replaceable tip;
- The protective glass of the device can block the operation of the stylus.
