Apple hasn’t updated its stylus lineup in over two years — and the next version might fix the one problem every Apple Pencil owner eventually runs into. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, two new Apple Pencil models are in development for the first half of 2027. They could be the first to let you swap the battery yourself. Here’s what we know, why the EU is the reason this is happening, and what it means if you’re eyeing an iPad.
What Apple Is Building
Gurman identified two models currently in development. The first, internally codenamed B582, updates the entry-level Apple Pencil with USB-C — the one Apple released in November 2023 at $79 (currently around $71 on sale). The second, codenamed B632, refreshes the Apple Pencil Pro, which debuted alongside the M4 iPad Pro in May 2024 at $129.
Both are slated to arrive alongside next-generation iPad Pro models in spring 2027. Those tablets are expected to run on either M6 or M7 chips, depending on Apple’s production timeline. If you’ve been following Apple’s crowded 2026–2027 product roadmap, you’ll notice this fits neatly into an already aggressive refresh cycle.
What Gurman didn’t reveal is equally telling. No new features, no design changes, no enhanced pressure sensitivity details — nothing beyond the phrase “new battery systems.” That vagueness is unusual for a Gurman report, which suggests Apple is still finalizing the engineering.
Why Replaceable Batteries Are the Headline
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize about the Apple Pencil: when the battery dies, the whole device is done. You can’t replace it. Repair isn’t an option either. The only path forward is buying a new one.
iFixit — the world’s most respected independent repair authority — has given every Apple Pencil model a repairability score of essentially zero. The internals are glued together with no path to disassembly. The battery charges through USB-C or wirelessly, depending on the model. But once it can no longer hold a charge, you’re looking at another $79 to $129 purchase.
For a product that Apple markets to artists, students, and professionals who rely on it daily, this has been a quiet but persistent frustration. A replaceable battery would be a genuine first for the product line. It would extend the useful life of a tool that, let’s be honest, shouldn’t be disposable.
The EU Law That Forced Apple’s Hand
Apple didn’t wake up one morning and decide repairability was a priority. The driving force here is Article 11 of the EU Batteries Regulation, which was passed in 2023 but doesn’t become legally enforceable until February 2027.
(Image by Bloomberg)
The rule is straightforward: portable batteries in consumer electronics must be “readily removable and replaceable by the end user.” That covers phones, tablets, headphones, keyboards, and yes — rechargeable styluses.
Apple’s iPhones may already satisfy the requirement. The Self Service Repair program lets owners order parts and replace batteries at home. But the Apple Pencil has no such option. It’s not designed to be opened at all.
This isn’t the first time EU regulation has reshaped Apple’s product design. Back in 2023, the USB-C mandate pushed Apple to drop Lightning from the iPhone 15 lineup. The Digital Markets Act is currently blocking Siri AI from launching in the EU, even as it debuts everywhere else. And now battery rules are reaching deep into accessory design.
The regulation’s specifics get complicated, though. Devices that meet certain battery longevity thresholds (maintaining 80% capacity after 1,000 charge cycles) or require water resistance may qualify for exceptions. iPhones likely fall into that gray area. The Apple Pencil, which has no water resistance rating and a much smaller battery, almost certainly doesn’t.
What This Means for iPad Buyers
If you’re shopping for an iPad right now, here’s the honest assessment: the current Apple Pencil lineup still works perfectly fine. The Apple Pencil Pro, in particular, is excellent. Its squeeze gesture and barrel roll feature are things you don’t appreciate until you’ve used them for a week.
But if you’re specifically buying a Pencil as a long-term investment, the spring 2027 refresh changes the math. A swappable battery means a stylus that lasts years longer. That’s especially relevant now that Apple just raised iPad prices by up to $200. When your tablet costs $1,199, and your stylus costs $129, replacing the accessory every two to three years stings.
The timing also matters. If the new Pencils launch alongside the M6 or M7 iPad Pro, buyers who wait get both upgrades in one purchase. Already own an iPad Pro with magnetic Pencil charging? The new Apple Pencil Pro should be backward compatible. Apple hasn’t changed that interface since 2018.
The Harder Questions Apple Hasn’t Answered
The biggest unknown is how Apple plans to make the battery replaceable in something this small. The Apple Pencil Pro packs a pressure sensor, gyroscope, haptic engine, and wireless charging coil into a tube weighing about 20 grams. Designing a user-accessible battery compartment in that form factor without adding bulk is a real engineering challenge.
We also don’t know pricing. Apple could use this redesign to justify a price bump — something the company hasn’t shied away from in 2026. Or it could hold the line, knowing that a more durable product reduces the replacement cycle that currently drives repeat sales. Gurman hasn’t mentioned pricing, which suggests Apple itself may not have decided yet.
FAQs
What EU battery regulation will affect Apple products in 2027?
The EU Batteries Regulation (2023/1542) and Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 require portable batteries in electronics to be user-replaceable by February 2027. It covers phones, tablets, headphones, and accessories like styluses. Devices meeting certain cycle-life or waterproofing thresholds may qualify for exceptions.
How does Apple Pencil Pro differ from the standard Apple Pencil?
The Apple Pencil Pro adds a squeeze gesture, barrel roll rotation sensing, haptic feedback, and a Find My locator. It charges wirelessly by magnetically attaching to compatible iPads. The standard USB-C model lacks these features and charges via a physical port instead.
Will the new Apple Pencils work with older iPads?
No official confirmation yet. However, Apple has maintained the same magnetic charging interface since 2018, so the Pro model should work with any iPad that supports the current Apple Pencil Pro. The USB-C version will likely stay compatible with its existing device list.
What chips will the 2027 iPad Pro use?
Bloomberg reports the next iPad Pro models could run on either M6 or M7 processors. Apple plans to debut the M6 in an updated MacBook Pro later in 2026, with the M7 following in early 2027. The iPad Pro may use whichever chip is ready at launch.
How long does the current Apple Pencil battery last?
Both the Apple Pencil USB-C and Apple Pencil Pro offer roughly 12 hours of use per charge. Battery health degrades over time with repeated charge cycles. Because the current models have no user-replaceable battery, a worn-out battery effectively means buying a new Pencil.
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