iPhone Fold: Apple tested a stylus but rejected the idea

A separate Apple Pencil for the first foldable iPhone was long considered safe. However, internal tests revealed unexpected problems. Two hurdles are now forcing the group to surprisingly forego operating the new model.

No stylus for the folding iPhone

Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable smartphone next week, which is now an open secret. The device, often referred to as the iPhone Ultra, is said to have a screen diagonal of around 7.8 inches when unfolded. Despite the size, which is reminiscent of a small tablet, and previous speculations about this, the model will not offer support for the in-house input pen when it launches. The company has suspended such plans for the time being.

Internal tests took place in advance with a specially adapted prototype of the Apple Pencil. The stylus was shorter than the well-known variants for the iPad in order to fit flush with the body of the phone. However, the magnetic attachment on the side proved to be impractical in everyday life. The main reason: opening the device was difficult as soon as the accessories stuck to the edge.

Danger to the folding screen

Another obstacle concerns the nature of the flexible screen. According to the Power On newsletter from Bloomberg, the surface of foldable displays is very sensitive. The pointed shape of an active stylus could have left permanent marks on the soft material if pressure was too high. In addition, an active stylus requires a special sensor layer under the screen, the so-called digitizer, and the additional component requires space in the housing. However, Apple is aiming for a very thin thickness of around 4.5 millimeters for the new smartphone. The lack of stylus support helps keep the device flat.

Apple is not alone in this; competitor Samsung chose a similar approach with its latest foldable phones. Buyers of Apple’s upcoming smartphone don’t have to do without accessibility features completely. Third-party commercial capacitive pens equipped with a soft rubber tip will still work on the external display. The accessory only simulates the electrical conductivity of a finger and therefore does not offer the precision of a real Apple Pencil.