Code detective finds reference to USB-C Apple Pencil

Apple may be preparing an Apple Pencil 3 with USB-C, but it’s hard to tell exactly what the code reference suggests in iOS 17.1 Beta 2.

The 10.9-inch iPad was released with a USB-C port and complex support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. Rumors have started circulating that a new Apple Pencil model will solve the awkward charging situation, and they’re starting to solidify.

Code discovered by Steve Moser mcroomers It suggests that Apple may be developing an Apple Pencil 3 with USB-C. However, this code could also be a shortened reference to the existing Lightning-based His Pencil, which has a USB-C dongle.

Apple ran into a design challenge where the 10.9-inch iPad couldn’t support the magnetic second-generation Apple Pencil, so it relied on dongles. If you own a 10.9-inch iPad and want to use an Apple Pencil, you’ll need a charging dongle specifically built to fit his Lightning-based Apple Pencil into a USB-C port.

If the Apple Pencil 3 can be charged via USB-C, Apple could solve that problem by ditching the dongle altogether.

Another rumor suggests that the Apple Pencil 3 may come with a replaceable magnetic tip. There are few verifiable sources discussing the new Apple Pencil, so the product may still be in its early stages of development.

This code appeared in iOS 17.1 Beta 2, so it may just be a reference to existing hardware and not a prank by Apple. If a new Apple Pencil does arrive, it’s likely to be announced at the same time as the new iPad, and likely won’t arrive until spring 2024.