Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo will support the USB-C Apple Pencil on both displays. The move brings basic Apple Pencil functionality to iOS for the first time. However, Apple Pencil Pro will not work with the new device.
The solution addresses a problem Apple reportedly faced during development. Earlier reports suggested the company struggled to add a Pencil without affecting the foldable design.
USB-C Pencil Solves a Design Challenge
Apple reportedly explored Apple Pencil support before settling on the USB-C model. The main obstacle involved magnetic charging and storage. A magnetically attached Pencil could interfere with the iPhone Duo when users open or close it.
Instead, the USB-C Apple Pencil pairs and charges through a cable. Therefore, it avoids the need for a magnetic charging position on the foldable phone.
That compromise gives users stylus support across the Duo’s large display area. It could prove useful for handwritten notes, drawing, document markup and other precision-based tasks.
Some Apple Pencil Pro Features Are Missing
However, the USB-C model offers fewer features than Apple’s more advanced styluses. It lacks pressure sensitivity and Double Tap. Still, it recognizes tilt angle, giving users more control when drawing or writing.
Apple Pencil Pro also offers features such as Barrel Roll. Meanwhile, the USB-C Pencil supports hover on selected iPads, although the report does not confirm hover support on iPhone Duo.
Once paired, the Pencil should work with the foldable iPhone without additional configuration. Its battery can last up to 12 hours during continuous use, although actual performance will vary.
Storage Could Become the Main Compromise
The iPhone Duo does not provide a built-in place to store the Pencil. However, users can carry it separately, while accessory makers may develop cases with dedicated Pencil storage.
The USB-C Apple Pencil costs $79, according to the document. Meanwhile, iPhone Duo pre-orders begin October 16, with the foldable starting at $1,999.
Overall, Pencil support gives the iPhone Duo another advantage of a larger foldable screen, even without the full Apple Pencil Pro experience.
