“If you see a stylus, they blew it,” was Steve Jobs’ position on why fingers were the preferred input method for the iPhone. Although the iPad supports Apple Pencil, Apple reportedly does not plan to bring stylus support to the first-generation iPhone Ultra.
Despite Jobs’ opposition to styluses in 2007, Apple’s position may have evolved over the past 19 years. According to Bloomberg’s “Power On” newsletter, Apple tested a stylus-like accessory for its foldable iPhone, but decided not to release it with the device.
Why Apple rejected a stylus for the foldable iPhone
Apple reportedly prototyped a shorter Apple Pencil that could attach magnetically to the foldable iPhone. Testing suggested, however, that the accessory would be awkward to use with the phone’s design.
When the device was closed, the smaller Apple Pencil would align with its tall side. This could make opening the foldable phone inconvenient while the stylus remained attached, forcing users to remove it even when they did not intend to use it.
Apple also had concerns about the foldable display’s construction and sensitivity to input. The company reportedly worried that the Apple Pencil could leave “unsightly marks” on the screen.
Apple could change its approach in a future generation, but the first model is not expected to include a stylus or support any version of Apple Pencil, including the USB-C model.
What the lack of Apple Pencil support means
People hoping to replace both an iPad mini and an iPhone with the iPhone Ultra will need to consider this limitation. Anyone who uses an iPad mini as a drawing tablet would lose that functionality when switching to the foldable iPhone.
Third-party capacitive styluses designed for the iPhone should still work with the iPhone Fold. Some use rubber tips, while others are rechargeable, but both types essentially replicate the electrical signal produced by a finger. As a result, they offer limited precision compared with an Apple Pencil.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro at the “Surprise and Shine” Apple Event on September 9. Pre-orders are expected to open afterward, although Apple has not yet revealed the pre-order or release dates.
