Report: Apple to Launch New Pencil Models Alongside Refreshed iPad Pro Lineup Next year

Apple is reportedly planning to launch new Apple Pencil models next year alongside a refreshed iPad Pro lineup with faster chips. In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that two new Apple Pencil models are coming, and they may feature replaceable batteries to comply with the EU’s new Batteries Regulation that’s also impacting Nintendo Switch consoles sold in the region.

“There is a lot of work going on inside Apple right now to satisfy upcoming European Union requirements around making batteries inside of consumer electronics more easily replaceable,” Gurman explained. “One possibility is that these Pencils will offer new battery systems. The current (and prior) Apple Pencils are a nightmare to repair and filled with glued-together parts — so this would be a big change if it happens.”

Apple is currently selling four different Apple Pencil models:

• The $129 Apple Pencil Pro is the top-of-the-line model that charges magnetically and works with the latest iPad Mini and recent iPad Air and iPad Pro models with M2 chips and newer.
• The $79 Apple Pencil (USB-C) is an entry-level model that charges via a USB-C and works with most iPad models.
• The $129 2nd-gen Apple Pencil that charges magnetically and works on a more limited selection of iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models
• The $99 1st-gen Apple Pencil that works on older iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad models with Lightning ports. It also charges by being plugged into an iPad’s Lightning port.

So yes, the Apple Pencil lineup is quite confusing and is in need of simplification. According to Gurman, Apple is planning to launch a new version of its entry-level Apple Pencil (USB-C), as well as a new Apple Pencil Pro. While the first Apple Pencil Pro came with a new haptic engine and other advanced capabilities, it’s currently unclear if the new models will add support for new features.

As for the new iPad Pro models that are expected to launch in spring 2027 alongside these new Apple Pencil models, Gurman previously reported that Apple had been testing a new cooling system for the new tablets that uses a vapor chamber to reduce overheating. The rest of the design isn’t expected to change.