Surface Pro 7: Will the next Surface Pen support wireless charging?

A Surface Pen refresh typically coincides with a new Surface Pro release, even if Microsoft just gives its US$99 accessory a fresh lick of paint. Earlier this year we reported on Microsoft filing a patent to help improve the accuracy of a future Surface Pen, and presumably reduce latency, but it seems that the company has other plans for the Surface accessory.

A recent FCC listing refers to an upcoming Surface Pen having a charging coil, which it existing Surface Pens lack. Instead, they charge using AAAA batteries that generally last months before they need replacing. Apple and Samsung use charging coils in their most recent styluses, leading websites like The Verge to join the dots and speculate that the next Surface Pen will support wireless charging.

Microsoft replaced the Surface Pen loop that it included with early generations of the Surface Pro with a magnetic solution, but there is currently no way for any Surface Pro to charge something via induction. Hence, this rumor implies that Microsoft is planning to make bigger design changes to its Surface lineup than we had previously anticipated. Most elaborate rumors close to a product release tend to be untrue in our experience. However, the FCC certification lends some validity to the idea that the Surface Pro 7, and even perhaps other future Surface devices like the Surface Laptop 3, will be able to wirelessly charge the next Surface Pen. We shall keep our eyes peeled on October 2 for what new Surface accessories Microsoft releases alongside its next Surface devices. (buy Microsoft Official Surface Pen 4096 now at Amazon)