The next Apple Pencil might be able to ‘see’ color, according to a new patent

Apple is working on an Apple Pencil that can recognize the color of real-world objects and wirelessly transmit the sampled hues to your iPad, so that you can use them in your artwork and writing.

The Apple Pencil 2 is already the best iPad accessory, thanks to its fashionable yet functional design and its useful features, such as gesture controls and wireless charging. But Apple could be looking to launch a stylus that will serve as a superior companion for the best iPads out there – from the top-of-the-line iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) to the budget-friendly iPad (2022).

The company has filed a new patent that details an Apple Pencil stylus that can recognize the color of real-world objects (via Patently Apple (opens in new tab)). 

As detailed in the patent US 20220413636 A1 (opens in new tab) (and shown in the image above), Apple’s concept uses light emitters and sensors in its nib to detect and record the color and texture of surfaces it’s placed on.

Unfortunately, as with any patent, there’s no guarantee that Apple will launch a color-sensing Pencil any time soon. While Apple has worked out how such a product would work in theory, in practice the extra sensors could make the device too bulky to be usable, among other potential issues that might prevent the device from being released. 

That said, with the Apple Pencil 2 now over four years old – it launched in November 2018 – the line is due for a fresh entry, and a color-sensing model would offer iPad owners a solid reason to upgrade their stylus. We’ll just have to hope that Apple’s improvements don’t make the already pricey accessory – the current model costs $129 / £119 / AU$199 – too much more expensive.

We’ll have to wait and see what 2023 holds, but we won’t be too surprised if alongside the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch 9 we also see the launch of an impressive Apple Pencil 3.

Don’t want to wait to get an iPad stylus? Here are today’s best Apple Pencil deals.