Apple Reportedly Built a Stylus for the Foldable iPhone, But It May Never Launch

Apple has reportedly developed and tested a special stylus for its upcoming foldable iPhone, but the accessory may never reach customers.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple internally developed a shorter version of the Apple Pencil specifically for the foldable iPhone.

Unlike the longer Apple Pencil models designed for the iPad, the reported prototype was described as “stubbier” to better match the smaller height of the foldable phone when closed.

The stylus was also reportedly designed to attach magnetically to the side of the phone for storage and charging, similar to how current Apple Pencil models work with compatible iPads.

So why might Apple abandon the idea?

One problem is storage.

A stylus attached to the side of a foldable phone could become inconvenient when the user wants to open the phone without using the Pencil.

There is also a more serious concern: the foldable display.

Foldable smartphone screens are generally more delicate than conventional smartphone displays. Apple reportedly had concerns that using a stylus could leave visible marks on the sensitive inner screen.

This creates an interesting situation for Apple.

When Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone in 2007, he famously argued that a stylus was unnecessary because people already had something better – their fingers.

Apple later changed its approach with the Apple Pencil, but the accessory has remained primarily associated with the iPad.

A foldable iPhone could change that.

Reports suggest Apple’s first foldable iPhone could have a large inner display comparable in size to an iPad mini when opened. That larger screen could make activities such as drawing, handwriting, photo editing and document work more useful than they are on a conventional iPhone.

However, Apple appears to have decided that the technology and design challenges may not yet be worth it.

Gurman says the stylus is unlikely to launch alongside the foldable iPhone, although Apple could potentially revisit the idea in the future.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is widely expected to be unveiled at the company’s September 9, 2026 event, although Apple has not officially confirmed the device or the reported “iPhone Ultra” name.

The interesting part is that Apple apparently went far enough to actually build and test the Pencil.

That suggests the company sees a potential use for stylus input on a much larger foldable iPhone screen.

For now, however, Apple appears to be prioritising the phone itself and leaving the Pencil for another day.

Sources: Bloomberg