iPhone Duo’s Exclusive Apple Pencil Reportedly Scrapped: What It Means for Users

September 20, 2026

Foldable smartphone on a daylight desk beside a slim stylus and a notebook

Apple’s Initial Plans for a Special iPhone-Compatible Apple Pencil

Apple had originally intended to release an Apple Pencil that would be exclusive to the iPhone Duo. In August, Mark Gurman discussed the development of a shorter model that could magnetically charge along the side of the iPhone. Writing for Bloomberg, the journalist now reports that “the accessory faced technical issues a few months before mass production was set to begin.” Consequently, Apple shifted its strategy to support the Apple Pencil with a USB-C connection (excluding the Pro model), which is why this feature will not be available at the launch of the foldable iPhone in October.

Slim stylus beside a folded smartphone on a sunlit desk
A slim stylus beside a foldable phone suggests the accessory plans Apple considered for the iPhone Duo.

Integrating Apple Pencil Support with iPhone Duo

Mark Gurman emphasizes that enabling Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Duo “is not as simple as pressing a button to activate compatibility” but requires a software update that involves “numerous internal tests.” This process is currently underway, and it is important to take Apple at its word when the company states that the software update enabling this support is slated for the end of the year. Indeed, it is likely to be rolled out around December.

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