Apple Pencil 3 launch imminent: Here’s what to expect

Magnetic tips, design changes, and USB-C support – a rundown of what’s coming.

The Apple Pencil 2. (Image: Apple)

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Apple is poised to launch the third-generation Apple Pencil as soon as tomorrow. Apparently, the company has scheduled media briefings with some YouTubers for this week, according to Japanese site Mac Otakara, and these briefings may conclude with a press release.

It isn’t clear whether this press release will unveil new iPads and Apple Pencil, new iPads alone, or just an Apple Pencil. But with a possible launch on the horizon, we thought it’d be a good idea to give a rundown of everything to expect with the Apple Pencil.

Magnetic tips

The Apple Pencil 3 could be more versatile with swappable magnetic tips of varying thicknesses. A thin tip can come in handy for simply jotting down notes, while artists and doodlers can use thicker tips or perhaps even a tip with a different shape.

But there’s also the possibility that the swappable tips will all be of the same size and shape, just detachable so that they can be easily replaced when they’ve worn down.

Design changes

Back in 2021, leaked images teased a third-gen Apple Pencil with a shorter length and a glossy, rounded finish. We’re not sure if this is still relevant but what we do know is that this model had a larger tip component – a clue that dovetails neatly with those swappable magnetic tips we mentioned earlier.

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USB-C support

Currently, Apple peddles two Pencils: the OG first-gen model (compatible with budget iPads) and its second-gen sibling (the one compatible with all iPad models). This original Apple Pencil has a Lightning connector. But with the standardisation of USB-C across Apple products, it only makes sense that the Apple Pencil would follow the trend. Perhaps the first-gen model will see a USB-C refresh this year.

New colour option?

The latest Apple Pencil – the second generation model – was actually released way back in 2018. So in 2020, rumours suggested that the next iteration would come in black and white colour options. Those rumours are nearly three years old now so it remains to be seen if they’d turn out true.

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Are new iPads on the way?

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have weighed in that tomorrow’s launch will most likely see no new iPads. A previous report showed that while a refresh for all iPads is in the works, it won’t be happening this month. But if it does, Apple could introduce a new, universal ‌Apple Pencil‌ that works with all ‌iPad‌ models.