A USB-C Apple Pencil could be on the way
Apple could be preparing for an Apple Pencil 3 with USB-C, but it is difficult to determine exactly what a code reference is suggesting in iOS 17.1 beta 2.
Code discovered by Steve Moser of MacRumors suggests Apple could be working on an Apple Pencil 3 with USB-C. However, the code could also be a shorthand reference to the existing Lightning-based Pencil with USB-C dongle.
Apple ran into a design conundrum with the 10.9-inch iPad that wouldn’t allow it to support the magnetic second-generation Apple Pencil, so it relied on dongles. Those who own the 10.9-inch iPad and want to use an Apple Pencil need a charging dongle built specifically for adapting the Lightning-based Apple Pencil to the USB-C port.
Since the code appeared in iOS 17.1 beta 2, it may just be a reference to existing hardware rather than a fumble from Apple. If a new Apple Pencil is incoming, it will likely be announced alongside new iPads, which likely won’t arrive until spring 2024.
