Apple tested a shorter Apple Pencil for its foldable iPhone but may skip it
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple built and internally tested a stubbier stylus meant to pair with its upcoming foldable iPhone, but the company is unlikely to release it alongside the device's debut. The design would attach to the phone's side for charging and storage, similar to existing Apple Pencils, but that placement could interfere with the fold mechanism and risk scratching the more fragile foldable display.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
A stylus accessory could boost the foldable iPhone's appeal for note-taking and creative work, mirroring Samsung's S Pen strategy for its Galaxy Z Fold line. Apple's hesitation suggests engineering constraints around foldable displays remain unresolved even as the company nears its first foldable launch, which could limit the device's functionality compared to competitors at debut.
- Apple prototyped a stubbier stylus for its foldable iPhone but likely won't launch it initially.
- Attachment placement and display durability are the main obstacles preventing release.
- The foldable iPhone is expected to debut around September 9, alongside other Apple hardware and software updates.
Apple Pencil Pro — While Apple's foldable-iPhone stylus may never ship, the Apple Pencil Pro is the real thing you can actually use today with a compatible iPad. It magnetically attaches for storage and charging, and adds squeeze and barrel-roll controls for sketching and note-taking.
See Apple Pencil Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Jackson Chen, 2026-08-30
Published there as: “Apple prototyped a stylus for the foldable iPhone that we may never see”
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