Apple considered an Apple Pencil for iPhone Ultra but reportedly decided against it
Apple reportedly explored a special Apple Pencil for the iPhone Ultra but abandoned the idea, with display durability concerns likely the decisive factor.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman listed three reasons Apple finally rejected the idea: it would have made the device awkward to hold with a Pencil on the side rather than the top; it would have conflicted with Steve Jobs’ view of a stylus as a poor substitute for a finger; and it would have left unsightly marks on the display. 9to5Mac dismissed the first two concerns, noting that mounting the Pencil to the top could have worked, and that Apple has already contradicted Jobs by adding touchscreens to upcoming MacBook Pro models.
The third factor was likely the real killer. A folding display has a far thinner and softer surface than standard screens, and Apple reportedly delayed the first folding iPhone over concerns about appearance and longevity. Repeatedly scraping an Apple Pencil across that surface would put both at risk.
The original report from 9to5Mac asks readers whether they would want a future Apple Pencil Mini for the iPhone Ultra if the display issue is solved.