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Apple reportedly considered stubby Apple Pencil for foldable iPhone Ultra

A reported prototype stylus designed to magnetically charge on a folding iPhone is unlikely to see a public release.

The short version

  • Apple reportedly developed and considered a shorter, stubbier Apple Pencil designed specifically for its rumored foldable iPhone Ultra.
  • The stylus was intended to magnetically attach to the side of the device for storage and charging.
  • The accessory is unlikely to launch anytime soon due to design drawbacks and usability concerns.

Key facts

  • According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple considered launching a new, shorter Apple Pencil designed for its upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra during the device's development phase.[9to5Mac]
  • The proposed stylus was designed to magnetically attach to the side of the iPhone Ultra for both storage and charging.[9to5Mac]
  • Gurman reported that the accessory would have been awkward to hold and could have left unsightly marks on the delicate inner screen of the foldable device.[9to5Mac]

What remains uncertain

  • It is unclear whether Apple has permanently canceled the iPhone-compatible stylus or if it is merely postponed, though Gurman indicated it is unlikely to launch in the near future.[9to5Mac]

Sources