Apple to Skip Apple Pencil Support for First Foldable iPhone
Apple will not support the Apple Pencil on its first foldable iPhone, reportedly named iPhone Ultra, nor launch a dedicated stylus. The company tested a shorter magnetic prototype but found it incompatible with the folding design. Third-party capacitive styluses remain usable, while pre-orders and release dates are yet to be announced.
Apple will not offer Apple Pencil support for its first foldable iPhone, reportedly named the iPhone Ultra, nor will it launch a dedicated stylus with the device. Co-founder Steve Jobs said at the iPhone's introduction in 2007 that a product requiring a stylus indicated a design flaw, as fingers are the most natural input method. Despite the iPad's subsequent support for the Apple Pencil, Apple does not plan to bring this feature to the iPhone Ultra.
Apple tested a stylus-like device and produced at least one prototype of a shorter Apple Pencil that could magnetically attach to the foldable iPhone. Testing showed that this design did not align well with the folding form factor. The shorter Apple Pencil would align with the taller side of the device when closed, making it inconvenient for users to open the phone while the stylus remained attached.
As it stands, the first-generation foldable iPhone will not come with a stylus or support any model of the Apple Pencil, including the USB-C version. Third-party capacitive styluses remain usable; some feature rubber tips, while others support charging, but they essentially simulate the electrical signals produced by a finger, offering limited precision gains. Pre-orders will begin after the launch event, with specific timing and official release dates yet to be determined.