Abstract:
Apple is expected to launch its first foldable screen iPhone in September this year, officially joining the high-end foldable phone market in which Samsung and other manufacturers participate. However, it is still uncertain whether this product will become a must-buy device during the 2026 holiday shopping season, and whether an accessory that was once tested internally by Apple will eventually be launched.
According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple has internally produced and tested an Apple Pencil suitable for folding screen iPhones. Due to the limited height of the mobile phone body, this stylus is expected to be shorter than the version used on the iPad, and can be magnetically fixed on the mobile phone to be stored and charged at the same time.
For a device that's essentially close to a small tablet, a stylus doesn't seem like a bad idea, but it has some glaring problems. Gurman said that storing the Apple Pencil when not in use can be a problem. Even more worrisome is the fact that the folding screen itself is relatively fragile. At present, most folding screens are made of plastic material, which may even leave scratches when fingernails scratch it. For such a delicate screen, a stylus with a tip may not be the ideal choice.
In addition, Apple’s launch of the iPhone stylus also involves product concept issues. In 2007, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs famously said, "No one wants a stylus," when he released the first-generation iPhone. Since then, iPhones have always relied on touch. After nearly two decades, it would indeed be surprising if Apple reintroduced a stylus to the iPhone. However, when the folding screen iPhone is officially launched, Apple will be led by new management, so this outcome is not completely impossible.
To be clear, Gurman doesn’t think Apple will launch this accessory as a consumer product when the foldable iPhone launches in a few weeks, and I agree. While it may help some users, it's still a bit too risky to roll it out at this stage. Folding screens also need to be stronger to withstand the extra pressure of a stylus in daily use, and the technology is clearly not there yet.
Apple plans to hold a press conference on September 9, when it is expected to announce its first folding screen iPhone and iPhone 18 Pro and other products.
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