Summary of Key Points
Apple internally tested the idea of including a dedicated Apple Pencil for its foldable iPhone, but ultimately decided not to include one with the first generation of foldable phones. The reasons are as follows: The way foldable iPhones are held (in a suspended position) makes using a stylus awkward; the structure of the phone makes it difficult to store the stylus; customizing the stylus requires compromising on its size, resulting in a poor grip; and from a commercial perspective, a dedicated stylus has limited versatility and high costs. The final conclusion is that the core usage logic of a phone—being ready to use immediately upon taking it out—makes the finger the most natural and convenient input method, making a stylus an unnecessary addition for foldable iPhones.
1. Big screens and styluses seem logical, but in reality, they are counter-intuitive
Intuitively, a foldable iPhone with a screen nearly 8 inches in size (similar to the iPad mini) would seem like a good fit for a stylus, but the ways these devices are used are vastly different.
Even though the iPad mini is lightweight, it is usually placed on a table or held with both hands, providing a stable surface for immersive note-taking or drawing. However, with a foldable iPhone, you have to hold it in a suspended position: one hand supports the phone, and the other holds the stylus to write on the flexible screen. The shaking of the phone and the lack of a stable wrist support make writing exhausting after just a few minutes. It’s like doing homework while standing and holding it in the air—ten times more uncomfortable than sitting at a desk. This doesn’t improve the user experience; it adds unnecessary hassle.
2. Storing the stylus? A physical dead end for foldable iPhones
Apple’s goal for the Apple Pencil is to integrate magnetism, charging, and storage (e.g., automatically charging when the pencil is placed on the side of the iPad Pro). However, the structure of foldable iPhones makes this impossible. Four attempts at implementing this feature were all problematic:
1. Side magnetism: The sides of foldable phones have openings for folding, which prevent fingers from being used to secure the screen when the stylus is attached, and the stylus can easily fall off. You have to remove the stylus before using the phone, then put it back after use, completely ruining the seamless experience of “using it as soon as you take it out.” This issue, which Steve Jobs once criticized about touchpens (being difficult to use and easy to lose), is back again.
2. Stylus storage inside the phone: The thickness of a folded iPhone is only 4.5–4.8 millimeters, with many components such as hinges, batteries, and cameras inside. Adding a storage compartment would reduce battery capacity or require additional cooling measures. The latest Samsung Z Fold series even removed the built-in S Pen to maintain its thinness, indicating that “thinness” is more important than a stylus.
3. Protective cases with storage: Apple aims for a “bare phone” experience (e.g., using Super Retina displays to eliminate the need for cases). Adding a case with a stylus slot would undermine the phone’s thinness, going against its design philosophy.
4. Separate storage and carrying: Styluses can easily get lost in pockets and are hard to find in bags, and they need to be charged separately. What was meant to be a convenient tool becomes a hassle to remember to bring and charge, often ending up unused in a drawer.
3. Customized styluses are “short and thick,” with a poor grip and limited versatility
To fit the narrow and short body of the foldable iPhone, Apple made the prototype stylus shorter and thicker. While the standard Apple Pencil Pro is 166 millimeters long, the foldable version had to be shortened. However, the internal components (battery, sensors, etc.) couldn’t be reduced in size, so the stylus became unstable and awkward to hold, losing the feel of a traditional pen.
Moreover, this stylus can only be used with the foldable iPhone and is not compatible with all iPad models. Creating a separate production line and distribution channel for it is an inefficient addition to Apple’s efficient supply chain.
4. After 19 years, Jobs’ judgment was correct
十九 years ago, Steve Jobs said, “The finger is the best input tool,” criticizing touchpens for being difficult to use and easy to lose. After trying foldable phones with styluses, Apple found the same issues: users are unwilling to go through the hassle of carrying, storing, and charging a stylus for the occasional need to write notes.
The core of a foldable iPhone is still a phone—it should be easy to use immediately upon taking it out of your pocket, not like a tablet that remains fixed on a desk. The natural and cost-free use of fingers is the most user-friendly input method.
In conclusion, the lack of a stylus on foldable iPhones is not due to technical limitations; it’s because Apple doesn’t want users to compromise their daily experience for a feature that is not essential. After all, a good product focuses on what users really need, not on adding unnecessary features.