Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported a detail that may seem trivial at first glance: Apple has developed and tested a special stylus for its first foldable iPhone, but currently has no plans to release it alongside the smartphone. The prototype is smaller than a regular Apple Pencil, attaches magnetically to the side of the case, and charges directly from the phone.
Here lies an unexpected twist: Apple has maintained strict boundaries for years — Pencil for iPad, Apple Watch for the wrist, iPhone on its own. A foldable iPhone with its own stylus would break this logic, transforming the flagship smartphone into something between a phone and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold with S Pen. The company tested this idea — and shelved it.
Why the prototype didn't make it to release
The simplest explanation is commercial. The foldable iPhone, which is expected on September 9 under the working name iPhone Ultra, will already be the most expensive smartphone in the lineup. An additional accessory that needs to be sold separately or included in the package complicates an already risky launch of a new form factor.
There is another explanation, closer to Apple's habits: the company rarely releases peripherals simultaneously with the first generation of a product. Apple Watch received a full set of straps and accessories not immediately, AirTag appeared years after the industry began discussing trackers. A stylus for a foldable iPhone could very well follow this path — appearing in the second or third generation, when the form factor proves its viability on the market.
What this means for the buyer
The practical conclusion is simple: if someone buys the first foldable iPhone specifically for stylus note-taking or drawing, they shouldn't expect an official Pencil — they'll either have to make do with a finger and third-party styluses, or wait for next generations. Samsung already has a ready-made solution in this segment for years, and Apple shows with this test that it doesn't plan to catch up with the competitor in a hurry.
The key question is not whether Apple will make a stylus for a foldable iPhone — the prototype already exists. The question is whether sales of the first generation foldable iPhone will be high enough to justify the launch of yet another new accessory.
- Recall that iPhone 17 Pro Max became the most popular iPhone during the monomarkt promotion.
- And Apple will hold a presentation of new iPhones on September 9.
