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Apple Reportedly Rethinking Apple Pencil to Add User‑Replaceable Batteries

The move would aim to meet the EU rule that requires portable batteries to be removable starting February 2027.

Overview

  • Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported Sunday that Apple is developing two new Apple Pencil models — a USB‑C Pencil and an Apple Pencil Pro — planned to ship with an iPad Pro refresh in spring 2027.
  • The report says Apple may change the pencils’ internal battery systems so batteries can be more easily removed by end users as a way to comply with new EU requirements.
  • Article 11 of the EU Batteries Regulation, adopted in 2023 and legally applicable in February 2027, mandates that portable batteries be readily removable and replaceable during a product’s lifetime.
  • Apple has not confirmed the products or design details, and analysts note compact accessories such as AirPods present much harder engineering and space challenges for replaceable batteries.
  • If Apple follows this path, the redesign could expand repair options and lower waste for small accessories and may influence how the company updates other devices for EU rules around 2027.