Apple Plans Next-Generation Apple Pencils with Replaceable Batteries for Spring Release

Apple is developing updated versions of both its standard and premium Apple Pencil models, with launch timing aligned to early 2027 and featuring redesigned battery systems to meet new European Union requirements. The two models—a refreshed USB-C Apple Pencil and an updated Apple Pencil Pro—will debut alongside next-generation iPad Pro devices in the first half of the year, according to reporting from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

What's Changing in the New Apple Pencils

The current Apple Pencil lineup has remained largely unchanged since 2018. The standard USB-C model, which launched in November 2023 at a retail price of $79, and the Apple Pencil Pro, released in May 2024 at $129, are both first-generation versions of their respective product lines. The upcoming redesigns will introduce replaceable battery systems—a significant departure from existing models, which are assembled with glued components that make repairs and battery replacement extremely difficult.

The shift toward user-replaceable batteries appears directly driven by incoming EU regulations. Beginning in 2027, European consumer technology products must feature batteries that consumers can more easily remove and replace, a move designed to reduce electronic waste and extend device lifespans. Gurman's sources have obtained internal codenames for the devices: B582 for the standard Apple Pencil and B632 for the Apple Pencil Pro.

Potential Additional Features

Beyond battery accessibility, the specific design changes remain unclear. The baseline Apple Pencil currently lacks several premium features available on the Pro model, including pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback, and Find My integration. It remains uncertain whether Apple will close this feature gap in the upcoming refresh or focus primarily on the battery system overhaul. Design refinements or new color options are also possibilities, though Apple has maintained the fundamental design direction established by the 2nd-generation model in 2018.

The spring timing coincides with Apple's historical pattern of launching new iPad Pro models and corresponding stylus updates together, targeting creative professionals. With approximately eight to nine months until the anticipated release window, additional specifications and design details have not yet been disclosed.