Apple Pencil 3: News, release date, features and expected price

Apple may be ready to introduce a new iPad stylus this year. The company hasn't announced anything yet, but rumors suggest the Apple Pencil 3 could bring new features like Find My tracking and a different mechanism for changing the nib.

When will Apple Pencil 3 be released?

Every currently available Apple Pencil device was released in November. The release date for the Apple Pencil 3 could be similar. However, at the moment, it is uncertain whether that will happen this year or if Apple will choose another time.

Users have actually been waiting for the next Apple Pencil to launch since 2021. The reason is because of the release dates of previous versions:

1. Generation 1 launched on November 11, 2015
2. The 2nd generation launched on November 7, 2018

Instead of continuing the three-year release cycle, Apple launched the USB-C Apple Pencil in November 2023. Expect the 3rd generation Apple Pencil to launch soon, based on existing rumors.

What is the expected price of Apple Pencil 3?

The next Apple Pencil will most likely cost $129, the same price as the Apple Pencil 2.

Expected features and hardware of Apple Pencil 3

A new feature that many people are excited about is Find My support. 9to5Mac reported this after spotting references to a new Apple Pencil in the iPadOS beta. If the prediction is correct, users will be able to use the Find My app to locate not only iPads and other Apple products, like watches and phones, but also the new Apple Pencil.

Another thing that might come up is the ability to change the nib with alternatives better suited for specific tasks. For example, a thicker tip can be useful when creating a digital painting, while a long, thin tip can help create fine pencil-like lines. X user Majin Bu predicts nib changing will work via magnetic tips. The current Apple Pencil can also replace the nib, but it must be completely removed and different nib styles are not available.

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In terms of color, users can expect to see some new options. White looks great, but that's the only option as of 2015. A black, gray, or gold variant would fit in well with other new Apple products expected this year.

The latest Apple Pencil does not have a pressure-sensitive feature, allowing for different strokes depending on how hard you press down on the screen. However, it's important to note that the latest Pencil is a USB-C model, which is slightly different from the 1st and 2nd generation Apple Pencil. This feature will definitely return in the 3rd generation Apple Pencil.

The upcoming Apple Pencil may bring a new feature – squeeze gestures. Unlike the current double-tap function, you can squeeze the surface of the Apple Pencil with your hand to perform quick actions like adding a shape or text field.

Another interesting rumor, this time from MacRumors, suggests that Apple may release a new Apple Pencil with support for Vision Pro. Currently, the Apple Pencil only works with iPads, so we're curious how it works. The report suggests it could work by turning the Vision Pro wearer's surroundings into a canvas, 'complete with pressure and tilt sensitivity'.

A patent published in 2020 gives us a glimpse of what designers at Apple might have in store for a future stylus. The idea is for the device to sample colors from the real world, then let the user use those colors on a computer (or iPad) to aid in color matching. In essence, it's like any other color picker or color sampler in an image editing app, only it works in the real world.

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It's unlikely this technology will be available on Apple Pencil 3, but who knows, there might be a surprise!

Apple Pencil 3 compatibility

The two available Apple Pencil devices work with different iPad models. The next Apple Pencil will be compatible with the latest and greatest iPads, but there are no specifics yet.

As expected, Apple Pencil 3 will work with the same iPads supported by Pencil 2nd generation, including:

1. iPad mini (6th generation)
2. iPad Air (4th generation or later)
3. iPad Pro 12.9 inch (3rd generation or later)
4. iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations)

David Pac

Update 24 April 2024