New Apple Pencil's Hidden USB-C Port Demonstrated in Hands-On Video - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

New Apple Pencil's Hidden USB-C Port Demonstrated in Hands-On Video

by

Tech reporter Jake Krol today shared a brief hands-on video of the new Apple Pencil, which features a USB-C charging port hidden under a sliding cap. The video, shared on Instagram and TikTok, provides a first look at the sliding cap in action.

Apple Pencil USB C sliding cap feature
Priced at $79, the new Apple Pencil is a more affordable option compared to the first-generation and second-generation Apple Pencil models, which remain available for $99 and $129, respectively. It has a similar design as the second-generation Apple Pencil, but it charges with a USB-C cable instead of wirelessly.

The new Apple Pencil will be available to order in "early November," but a specific release date has yet to be announced by Apple. It is compatible with all iPad models equipped with a USB-C port, including the lower-end tenth-generation iPad.


Given its lower price, the new Apple Pencil lacks three key features compared to the second-generation model, including wireless charging, pressure sensitivity, and a double-tap gesture for switching between drawing tools. However, it does support the Apple Pencil hover feature with the latest 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

Tag: Apple Pencil Guide
Related Forum: iPad Accessories

Popular Stories

Apple Pencil USB C sliding cap feature

Two New Apple Pencils Reportedly Launching Next Year

Sunday July 12, 2026 8:45 am PDT by
Two new Apple Pencil models are in development for release alongside next-generation iPad Pro models next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Specifically, he said new versions of the lower-end Apple Pencil with a USB-C port and the higher-end Apple Pencil Pro are in the works. Apple is working to satisfy upcoming EU requirements related to making batteries more replaceable,...
Read Full Article • 56 comments
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during...
Read Full Article • 202 comments
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
Read Full Article • 58 comments

Top Rated Comments

erikkfi Avatar
erikkfi
36 months ago
A fifteen second rapid-cut portrait mode video with unnecessary background music, from TikTok, reposted on Twitter. Thanks modern world, I hate it.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
japanime Avatar
japanime
36 months ago
"Demonstrated in hands-on video"?

It's literally a 15-second clip (with a few of those seconds of the footage repeated) 🤣
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
Tagbert
36 months ago

Can't believe they launched a Pencil without pressure sensitivity. Bet a lot of people won't realize this omission before they've bought one.
Do you think that everyone who uses a pencil is doing sketches and illustrations? A lot of people use the pencil for notes, and simple drawings, and for tapping buttons and such. They don’t have a lot of need for pressure sensitivity.

Really this pencil is aimed at the iPad 10th gen that was released with USB-C so it couldn’t work well with the lightning pencil and without the magnetic mount and charging system of the Pencil 2. This gives those buyers of the cheap iPad a pencil to match. One might wish that Apple had done more with that 10th gen iPad to bring it fully into sync with the Pencil 2 but they didn’t and here we are.

The whole iPad line appears to be doing a slow motion migration from one design world to another but the pieces are slow moving and not all in sync. It makes for some odd pairings.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fortimir Avatar
Fortimir
36 months ago
The hate for this pencil is absurd. The issue is that they still sell the original Lightning one. No pressure sensitivity? 90% of users don't care or need it. MOST people use it for notes and similar tasks. And like, if you're someone who needs more, they have the one with pressure sensitivity. Having a $79 option is great. It's not like this is the only version that exists. Having an entry level one without pressure and a pro-level one with is just fine.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
W
Wokis
36 months ago
Can't believe they launched a Pencil without pressure sensitivity. Bet a lot of people won't realize this omission before they've bought one.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rychiar Avatar
Rychiar
36 months ago
"Cheaper" as we head into Black Friday and the pencil 2 goes on sale for $85 again like it has many times this year...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments