Apple's first foldable iPhone is right around the corner, and if you are wondering how the iPhone Ultra plans to stand out, the answer might be sitting in a drawer in Cupertino.
People want a stylus
Apple promotes its stylus as a creativity tool. | Image by Apple
Don't get your hopes up, though. Mark Gurman doesn't see Apple launching the stylus alongside the iPhone Ultra.
How would Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Ultra change things for you?
Proceeding with caution
The iPhone Ultra's prototype Apple Pencil is reportedly stubbier than the iPad versions to match the foldable's wide form factor. It was designed to attach magnetically to the side for storage and charging.
However, a stylus clamped to the side would get in the way when opening the phone to use it without a pen.
Also, foldable displays are delicate, and a regular stylus could cause the screen to scratch or dent.
Samsung stole Apple's thunder by releasing a short and wide foldable before the iPhone maker could. While early testers found the iPhone Ultra pocketable, versatile, and durable, those are hardly distinctive qualities.
If screen damage is a concern, the company can take inspiration from Samsung and design a pen with a retractable tip that limits how much force can be applied to the screen.
Be bold
Companies, particularly Apple, often play it too safe. They also tend to save features for future iterations, to the point where consumers lose interest.
The Galaxy Fold's screen held up well with S Pen use, so resilience is likely not a concern. If Apple is holding back to pay some kind of homage to Jobs, the existence of the Apple Pencil for iPads makes that point moot.
The iPhone Ultra is already predicted to sell well. A stylus could prove to be the magic wand it needs to be a must-have device.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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