New Apple Pencil rumors suggest an imminent launch and bolder design

Does its release draw near?

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There’s been talk of a newApplePencil for some time now, and withiPads overdueand expected to launch soon too, this latest leak promising an imminent release looks as though it might hold water.

It’s been five years since Apple introduced its second-generation Apple Pencil, which boasted a completely self-contained design with magnetic wireless charging (the first-gen Apple Pencil charged via a Lightning port on one end), alongside new pressure, hover, and double-tap functionality. According to tipster Instant Digital – via Chinese social media site Weibo – a follow-up should be arriving this month.

Instant doesn’t have a rock-solid track record with their Apple reveals, but as noted byMacRumors, did correctly foretell of theiPhone 14’s yellow colorwayfor Spring (in the northern hemisphere, at least) 2023, alongside keyiPhone 15developments, including the standard models' use of frosted back glass, andSpatial Videorecording being possible on theiPhone 15 Proline.

Talk of a new iPad stylus release does coincide with established Apple analyst, Bloomberg’sMark Gurman’s recent claimsthat both the next Apple Pencil and new iPad Pros should be arriving “in the next several weeks,” so we’re crossing our fingers that this latest tidbit holds true too.

Alongside an expectediPad Air 6that’slarger than previous modelsand a newiPad Pro 2024linein possession of OLED displays, the next-gen Apple Pencil is thought to possess a slew of new features, includinginterchangeable tipsthat snap on magnetically, a shorter design with a glossy finish (like the first-gen Apple Pencil), and even the ability to sample colors directly from the world around you.

Pencil case

Having never taken the original Apple Pencil off the market, there are now a trio of first-party styli on offer for the company’s famed iPads, each with a varying feature set and price point. The hope is that Apple uses the arrival of a new, more advanced model, to consolidate the line down to just one or two options, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the first-gen Apple Pencil – with its outdated Lightning port – is on the way out regardless.

What’s more, the case for Apple Pencil functionality straying beyond the bounds of the iPad and onto other Apple hardware – including theiPhoneandMac– continues to grow too; based on both external pressures and the ever-expanding functionality Apple itself continues to bring to iOS and macOS.

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Even if such a shift were to occur, however, knowing Apple, the company would likely hold fast untilWWDC2024 (expected to take place in June this year) – where it usually shows off new software andoperating systemimprovements – to offer us even a hint of expanded support being on the horizon.

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Alex joined as TechRadar’s Senior Phones Editor in June 2022, but brings over a decade’s worth of experience to the role, with an expertise in smartphones, tablets and wearables. He’s covered keynotes hosted by the biggest brands and attended the launches for some of the most influential mobile products of the last few years. His experience was amassed at some of the most reputable consumer technology publications out there, including GSMArena, TechAdvisor and Trusted Reviews.

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