Over time, the Apple Pencil has gone from being a Pro-level accessory to a core part of the iPad’s identity. With the looming release of a folding iPhone, alongside the obnoxious question of whether it kills the iPad mini, there’s been open speculation as to whether this device will get Apple Pencil support.

According to Bloomberg, via MacRumors, Apple apparently tested a smaller Apple Pencil that would magnetically attach and charge on the side of the iPhone Fold/Ultra. The article claims it’s unlikely this accessory will be released, at least in the short term.

It’s not terribly surprising that Apple might not want to add stylus support to its first folding phone. One of Apple’s priorities is likely making sure the phone is as thin as possible, since one of the big drawbacks of foldables is how thick they are when closed and adding digitizer support would make the phone thicker.

Another consideration is the effect a stylus would have on the inner display. The larger display on most folding phones has a plastic layer over the ultra-thin folding glass, and Apple is likely worried that, over time, the Apple Pencil tip would leave marks and deformations on what is arguably the weakest part of the phone.

Personally, I can’t think of many scenarios where I’d be out and about and bothered to open the phone just to use a stylus. But it would still be a net positive for Apple Pencil support in iPadOS (which is already in a pretty good place, tbh). Any feature tied to the iPhone is sure to get more of Apple’s attention, instead of languishing like some iPad features do.

Link: Bloomberg