Apple reportedly tested a shorter Pencil for its foldable iPhone

Apple reportedly tested a shorter version of the Apple Pencil for its upcoming foldable iPhone, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The stylus was designed to attach magnetically to the side of the device, but it is unlikely to launch alongside the phone.

The report, published in Gurman’s Power On newsletter and summarized by 9to5Mac and AppleInsider, says the prototype was shorter than the Apple Pencils made for iPad. That would fit the foldable phone’s reported, wider form factor, while allowing the accessory to be stored and charged magnetically.

There were practical problems, however. A Pencil attached to the side could make the phone awkward to open, and the pointed tip could be a poor match for the softer inner layer of a foldable display. Gurman specifically cautioned that Apple is unlikely to announce the accessory with the foldable iPhone next month.

That distinction matters: a prototype shows that Apple considered the idea, not that it has committed to shipping it. Apple has not announced a foldable iPhone, an “iPhone Ultra” name, or Pencil support for any iPhone. The company is expected to discuss its next iPhone lineup at its September 9 event, but the event’s product list is not confirmed.

For now, the reported Pencil is best treated as a shelved or uncertain accessory experiment rather than a feature buyers should expect. Even if Apple eventually adds stylus support, it could require a later foldable model or a redesigned pen.

Source: 9to5Mac · AppleInsider