Skip to main content

The next Surface Pen could finally include wireless charging

With Microsoft’s annual hardware event less than two weeks out, an influx of news regarding some potential new products has been surfacing online. The latest is a patent that shows that Microsoft’s next stylus could finally be charged wirelessly.

According to the recent FCC filing, it mentions that it will contain a “charging coil” for the Surface Pen. This strongly implies that the stylus will be designed with an internal power source to charge up the product; thus increasing the duration of the stylus compared to the current model, which requires one AAAA battery to function.

Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Pen 2017
Kyle Wiggers/Digital Trends

Similar products include the Galaxy Note 10 Plus‘ S Pen have a charging coil located inside the pen, with the stylus being charged directly through the phone. Thanks to a dissection conducted by iFixit, we now know that Apple’s Pencil 2 also uses similar “charging coil” technologies with the stylus receiving a charge by attaching to the side of your iPad Pro. Of course, those who already own a Surface Pro and Pen will already know that the stylus already attaches magnetically to the device, but without the capability to charge.

It is plausible that a revision of the Surface Pen could launch shortly, alongside a new Surface Pro 7 at Microsoft’s Surface Hardware Event on October 2. Several of the Surface Pro 7’s new features have been circulating, including a redesigned keyboard to make the product thinner, as well as the updated model with a second screen, possibly inspired by the Asus ZenBook Pro 15. With a new Surface Pro probably getting announced at the upcoming Surface Event, let’s hope Microsoft shows the stylus some love too. We’d like to see one that finally offers wireless charging, or at the very least an updated Surface Pen that addresses accuracy issues.

Of course, should a new Surface Pen come into fruition, it’s implausible that the stylus will not be included as a bundle with the Surface Pro. While pricing for the Surface Pen is up in the air, Microsoft may be looking to keep it around the same price range as the current Surface Pen, which is priced at $99.

Editors' Recommendations

Taylor Lyles
Based out of Baltimore, Maryland, Taylor is a contributing writer for Digital Trends covering the latest news in the computer…
Surface Laptop Go 3 vs. Surface Pro 7+: is it an upgrade?
Microsoft Surface Pro 7

The Surface Laptop Go 3 is Microsoft's new affordable Surface laptop, with upgraded hardware and long battery life making it a compelling option for budget laptop buyers in 2023. But for anyone considering an upgrade to a Surface device at around that $800 price, the Surface Pro 7+ still presents an attractive purchase, and it can flip into a tablet when you need it.

That brings to mind the age-old question, of whether newer is automatically better. In this case, it might not be. Let's take a look at the Surface Laptop Go 3 versus Surface Pro 7+, to find out.

Read more
Everything Microsoft didn’t announce at its 2023 Surface event
Microsoft showing off the new Surface laptop Go 3 at its September event.

Microsoft unveiled several new products during its 2023 Surface event. We got lots of updates about Windows Copilot and other AI-driven software upgrades, as well as plenty of hardware, including the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the Surface Laptop Go 3.

While a lot of our early predictions came true during the Microsoft September event, there are still a few things that were noticeably missing from this year's lineup. Here's what Microsoft could have announced, but didn't.
Surface Pro 10

Read more
Should you buy the Surface Laptop Studio or wait for the Surface Laptop Studio 2?
The Surface Laptop Studio 2 on a white table.

Announced during the Microsoft September event, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 joins a growing family of Surface devices. Equipped with all the same flexibility we'd expect from the best 2-in-1 laptops, the Studio 2 may look very similar to the previous version, but it's a lot more different than it seems at a glance.

How does the new version compare to Microsoft's original Laptop Studio? Below, we'll take you on a deep dive into these two devices and help you make your pick if you're trying to choose between them. Make sure to read our Surface Laptop Studio 2 review, as well.
Pricing and availability

Read more