Apple Again Rumored to Be Readying Third-Generation Apple Pencil

[MacRumors]

Apple is preparing to release a third-generation Apple Pencil, according to a leaker on the Chinese social networking platform Weibo, suggesting it could conceivably appear alongside new iPads at Apple's upcoming "Spring Loaded" April event.

Image via Mr White.​

The claim comes from Weibo account "Uncle Pan Pan," which doesn't have much of a track record for sharing accurate Apple information, although it was first to share images that allegedly showcase new colors for Apple's 2021 spring iPhone 12 case collection.

While the latest claim should be taken with a grain of salt, it does hark back to an image shared last month by a proven leaker that allegedly shows a third-generation Apple Pencil.

Besides looking glossy, the input device shown in the image looks very similar to the current, second-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌, which was introduced with the 2018 iPad Pro. The second-gen device is shorter than the original version and charges inductively.

The Apple Pencil depicted also appears to have a considerably larger tip component than in existing versions, with a much longer section that screws into the ‌Apple Pencil‌ itself, possibly hinting at new technology to support additional features or provide greater drawing accuracy.

Apple still sells the first-generation Apple Pencil, mainly to appeal to eighth-gen iPad and iPad mini 5 owners, since the second-gen version only works with the iPad Pro and iPad Air. An Apple Pencil 3 could theoretically bring new functions exclusive to Apple's next high-end iPad Pro.

Apple is expected to use its April 20 event to unveil a new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the higher-end model featuring a brand new mini-LED display. Well-connected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman believes that these new iPads will be an "iterative update" to the iPad line.

In today's Weibo post, "Uncle Pan Pan" also shared an image allegedly showing AirPods 3, although Apple isn't expected to launch the third iteration of AirPods until the third quarter of this year, which would rule them out of Apple's April event.

Article Link: Apple Again Rumored to Be Readying Third-Generation Apple Pencil

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I’ll have to pencil this is my diary, no?

I’ll grab my coat...

 

[wanha]

Will it have a built in Apple TV and HomePod tho?

 

[AngerDanger]

Updates to the Apple Pencil are always so minor they remind me of the Nathan for You intro…

 

[CTHarrryH]

Gee my 2nd generation pencil works with my current generation AIR so article saying only works with Pro is wrong

 

[MadAngelUK]

"Spring Loaded" ... maybe it'll be retractable

 

[Coleco]

How about simplifying this craziness and just having one pencil to rule them all? Would be nice if the new one was a universal $99 replacement that worked with all iPads going forward (backward compatibility with pencil 1 and 2 devices would be a bonus).

 

[Sharewaredemon]

Gee my 2nd generation pencil works with my current generation AIR so article saying only works with Pro is wrong

Yep, I came here to point that out.

 

[madmin]

Trust Apple to put LED in your pencil

 

[Yammabot]

Still using the 1st gen pencil or shall I say still haven’t used my 1st gen pencil? Can’t believe I paid real money for it! $100 for a pencil, how stupid am I? $1000 for an iPad then $100 for a device to operate it? Unbelievable.

 

[contacos]

Back to glossy finish? I prefer the 2nd gen. It actually looks like a proper pencil

 

[PlayUltimate]

Have, and like, the 2nd Gen. Not sure what a 3rd gen could add? (kinda like what is the difference between a Dixon-Ticonderoga today vs 30 years ago?) 🤷‍♂️

 

[sracer]

I for one am looking forward to the third gen Apple Pencil. The 2nd gen is so bad that it is practically unusable.

How many of those who disagree with this opinion, will change their mind after Apple announces the 3rd gen Pencil and describes it as "a technological breakthrough that fundamentally transforms the use of a stylus on a touchscreen and makes everything that preceded it, obsolete."?

Seriously though, I'm still using my Pencil 1, daily... first on my 12.9 Pro, then on my iPad 6, and now on my Mini 5... and with a matte screen protector, the experience is quite pleasant. My Mini 5 is my digital planner/journal/project notebook and has replaced all my dead tree notebooks and padfolios.

 

[Jwpyle3]

Will it have a built in Apple TV and HomePod tho?

Nope, and it won't include tips. Tips will be $1,000 extra.

 

[nwcs]

Third gen pencil already? I still barely use the first gen one...

 

[MacStreamer]

Didn’t think we’d see 3 pencils before a Magic Mouse 3.

 

[wesk702]

"Spring Loaded" ... maybe it'll be retractable

Or an actual spring inside so user tracking of pressure sensitivity is increased in drawing.

 

[contacos]

Have, and like, the 2nd Gen. Not sure what a 3rd gen could add? (kinda like what is the difference between a Dixon-Ticonderoga today vs 30 years ago?) 🤷‍♂️

I suspect you will be able to tap and hold on any color shown in a picture and it will automatically take it and keep drawing in that color without having to manually pick a color.

What I find more concerning is that we will have 3 different pencils and each one is still used by different iPad generations on the market. Some are even newer than certain iPads that already use Gen 2, yet only support the Apple Pencil 1. It is kind of a mess

 

[Serban55]

As i said in the prev topic we will get
- ipad pros for sure
-3d gen apple pencil
-apple tv with support for 120hz that dives perfectly with 24hz and 60hz
-24" imac
-probably airtags

 

[certen]

This will be the colour pencil that they showed the patent before.

the logo with different colours must be hinting the new pencil that can take/change the colours

 

[99chickens]

Have, and like, the 2nd Gen. Not sure what a 3rd gen could add? (kinda like what is the difference between a Dixon-Ticonderoga today vs 30 years ago?) 🤷‍♂️

Comparing a piece of wood to an electronic device is completely rational.

 

[99chickens]

I suspect you will be able to tap and hold on any color shown in a picture and it will automatically take it and keep drawing in that color without having to manually pick a color.

What I find more concerning is that we will have 3 different pencils and each one is still used by different iPad generations on the market. Some are even newer than certain iPads that already use Gen 2, yet only support the Apple Pencil 1. It is kind of a mess

I don’t see where it says that the 3rd generation pencil will only be compatible with a certain generation iPad. As far as you know it could work with any iPad.

 

[Johnny907]

Yeah that thing looks like trash, or in other words like the original model which I hated. Round edges do not work with a hard glossy body. At all.

 

[icymountain]

The whole point of 3rd gen is of course to break compatibility with the 1st and 2nd gen. Some easy ca$h for Apple.

 

[iamgalt]

The only way I'd consider getting the 3rd gen, is if they brought back the ability to charge it through a wall cable, and not this magnetic crap through the iPad itself. I have a case on my iPad, and a grip on my AP, that I have to remove each time I want to charge the thing. Apple, LET US PLUG IT INTO THE WALL.