It has been revealed that Apple initially developed a shorter stylus for the iPhone Duo, different from the existing Apple Pencil models. According to information provided by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company included Apple Pencil support in the product plan during the design phase of the iPhone Duo. However, Apple’s first choice was to use a more compact accessory specially prepared for the structure of the foldable phone. This model was planned to magnetically attach to the hinge side of the iPhone Duo. However, technical problems encountered before mass production led Apple to abandon this design.
Apple’s announcement of USB-C Apple Pencil support at the iPhone Duo launch was also shaped after this change. The company chose to ensure compatibility with the USB-C Apple Pencil, which is currently used in the iPad family, instead of a specially developed smaller pen. While this decision eliminated the need to develop a new accessory on the hardware side, it brought about a new compatibility process in terms of software. Because it is stated that the initial design of the iPhone Duo was not prepared with the standard USB-C Apple Pencil in mind. Therefore, additional software development and extensive testing are required for the pen to work smoothly with the device.
Why Apple Pencil support for iPhone Duo will come later
According to the information on Apple’s website, Apple Pencil support will not be available as soon as the iPhone Duo goes on sale. The reason for the delay is that the product was not originally designed to work with existing iPad pens. It’s not possible for Apple to turn on this support by simply enabling a software option. The company needs to retest many elements, from communication between Apple Pencil and the screen to touch detection, from latency to software stability. According to Bloomberg, these studies continue within Apple and the company aims to make the support available before the end of 2026.
However, it is stated that the given time period may extend until the last part of the year. Gurman states that Apple’s statement “by the end of the year” should be taken literally and that support may be ready quite late in 2026. This means that users who purchase iPhone Duo will not be able to benefit from Apple Pencil features from day one. However, the company’s support for the existing USB-C Apple Pencil model may reduce the need for users to purchase a new accessory that is separate and only works with a single device. This choice may offer a more practical use, especially for iPad owners who already use the compatible Apple Pencil.
It is not yet clear exactly what technical problem occurred in the short Apple Pencil model that Apple canceled. While it is possible that the problem is caused by the pen’s own hardware, it is also possible that the magnetic connection and charging system in the hinge section of the iPhone Duo do not work as expected. There is no definitive information shared in the source about which of these two scenarios is valid. If the problem is only due to the prototype design of the pen, it may be possible for Apple to bring a similar accessory back to the agenda in the future. On the other hand, the fact that the problem is related to hardware limitations on the device side may make it more difficult to make such an accessory available on the current iPhone Duo generation.
Apple’s current solution therefore seems more cautious. The USB-C Apple Pencil is an accessory for which the company already has production and software experience, and it poses lower hardware risks compared to the development of a new pen. On the other hand, a shorter pen designed specifically for the iPhone Duo would be more suitable for the portable structure of the device, and the design that clings to the hinge could provide additional convenience in daily use. For now, Apple has given up on this special design and seems to have given priority to the stable operation of the existing Apple Pencil with the iPhone Duo. Once this support is completed, it will be clearer to what extent iPhone Duo’s pen usage will approach the iPad experience with software features and application support.