Apple is rumoured to be unveiling a new Apple Pencil as early as tomorrow, so with a possible announcement on the horizon, we thought we’d round up a list of features that are said to be coming in the next update.
The current rumours
While we’ve been hearing about a third-generation Apple Pencil for a few months now, it was only this weekend that Japanese site Mac Otakara claimed that a new model was imminent.
The rumour came in response to another rumour about new iPads. Apparently, Apple has scheduled media briefings with some YouTubers this week, and these meetings are said to focus on the iPad. No further information has been leaked, so it’s unclear whether we’ll get iPads, iPads and an Apple Pencil, or just an Apple Pencil.
What does seem clear is that there will be some sort of announcement via press release tomorrow.
Magnetic tips
The Apple Pencil 3 is said to have interchangeable magnetic tips for different activities such as drawing, sketching and writing. Apple could use tips of different thicknesses and shapes.
For example, a thin tip would be ideal for writing, but those who sketch and draw might want the option of something thicker or a tip in a different shape.
Majin Bu, the leaker who spread the rumour, said that the tips would be used for different purposes, but there is also the possibility that the tips will be the same, but magnetically detachable to make it easier to swap them when one wears out.
Design changes
Back in 2021, there was a leak of a third-generation Apple Pencil with a shorter length and a shiny, rounded finish, but it’s not clear if this is an accurate representation of the planned third-generation Apple Pencil, as it was so long ago.
However, this model did have a larger tip, which could make sense with interchangeable magnetic tips.
Colour
There have been rumours that the next Apple Pencil could come in white and black, but that rumour dates back to 2020, so it’s unlikely to be accurate at this point.
USB-C and consolidation
Apple currently sells two Apple Pencils: the first-generation model, which is compatible with the low-cost iPad, and the second-generation model, which works with everything else.
With the move to USB-C, an update to the Apple Pencil makes sense. Apple could create a third-generation model that works with all iPads, including future low-cost models, to eliminate the need for two Apple Pencils, or it could create a new version of the original Apple Pencil that charges via USB-C to accommodate the USB-C port that’s already been introduced on the low-cost iPad.
At the moment, the original Apple Pencil has a Lightning connector, and charging it with the low-cost iPad requires an adapter, an unwieldy and inconvenient setup.
Will there be an iPad refresh or won’t there?
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has no plans to introduce new iPads tomorrow. Gurman said over the weekend that while new iPad Air, iPad mini and entry-level iPad models with faster chips are in the works, an iPad refresh “won’t happen this month”. Kuo said in September that new iPads were “unlikely” to be released in 2023.
Both 9to5Mac and Supercharged News have claimed that Apple will announce updated iPad Air, iPad mini and entry-level iPad models this week.
It would be unusual for Apple to unveil a new Apple Pencil without unveiling new iPads, but Kuo and Gurman often have reliable insight into Apple’s plans, so it doesn’t seem out of the question. It is possible that we could see Apple unveil a new Apple Pencil and a new low-cost iPad, as this is a tablet that is typically refreshed every year, and it is also the only remaining tablet that uses the original Apple Pencil.
Refreshing the low-cost iPad would allow Apple to introduce a new Apple Pencil that works with all iPad models, eliminating the split Apple Pencil lineup.
If we do get new iPads, there are no major redesigns or flashy features in the works. All the rumours so far suggest that only minor spec bumps, such as chip improvements, are in the works.
