Apple canceled the compact Apple Pencil for iPhone Duo, will switch to a USB-C stylus
- Apple has canceled the compact Apple Pencil for iPhone Duo.
- A regular USB-C stylus will be supported, but later.
- Technical difficulties require software improvements and testing.
- Support will only be available by the end of 2026.
Apple has officially announced that it will no longer plan to release a special, shortened Apple Pencil that was supposed to work only with the new foldable iPhone Duo. Instead, the company has decided to adapt the support for the already existing stylus with a USB‑C port.
Initially, the project envisioned a compact accessory that would attach to the hinge part of the foldable phone. According to sources from 9to5Mac, insurmountable technical obstacles arose during the preparation for mass production, which led Apple to decide against its own mini-stylus.
Switching to a standard USB‑C stylus will require significant software modifications. The iPhone Duo was not originally designed to work through this interface, so simply enabling support is not enough. As Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman noted, Apple will need to release new software and conduct extensive internal testing to ensure compatibility.
The question of where exactly the difficulties lie remains open. 9to5Mac points out that they may be related to both the design of the stylus itself and the magnetic charging system built into the iPhone Duo case. If the issue lies with the accessory, the company may return to its development in the future.
Support for the standard USB‑C stylus will only be available at the end of 2026 – this was announced by Apple during the iPhone Duo presentation. Until then, users will not be able to use either a compact or a regular stylus with this device.
The abandonment of its own mini-stylus reflects a broader trend at Apple towards unifying accessories: the switch to USB‑C allows the same tool to be used with multiple devices, but requires additional time for integration.
What does this mean for iPhone Duo owners?
Users who were counting on a convenient built-in stylus will only be able to work with external USB‑C models, but only after the planned software update. For now, the smartphone will be delivered without full support for stylus functions.
Thus, Apple maintains flexibility in its accessory lineup but postpones full work with the stylus for several years, which may affect interest in the new foldable iPhone Duo among professional users.
Source: 3DNews
