Apple Scraps Shorter Pencil for iPhone Duo

The iPhone Duo is Apple’s first foldable iPhone, featuring a passport-style design with a 7.6-inch inner OLED display and a 5.4-inch outer OLED display. The device was originally designed to launch alongside a new, shorter version of the Apple Pencil, but Apple reportedly scrapped this accessory after encountering technical problems before mass production, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

The iPhone Duo is manufactured by Apple and falls into the foldable smartphone category. It addresses the problem of portability versus screen size by providing a large 7.6-inch inner display that folds into a compact form factor. Instead of the cancelled shorter Pencil, Apple will support the existing USB-C Apple Pencil, though this feature will not be available at launch.

Key Facts

Attribute Value

Product iPhone Duo (Apple’s first foldable iPhone)

Design Passport-style foldable

Inner Display 7.6-inch OLED with ProMotion up to 120Hz, nano-texture finish

Outer Display 5.4-inch OLED with ProMotion up to 120Hz

Chipset A20 Pro chip and C2 modem

Materials Titanium frame

Security Touch ID built into the side button

Cameras Dual 48MP rear cameras; under-display inner FaceTime camera; 12MP Center Stage outer camera

Connectivity Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, USB 3 over USB-C, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging

Software Runs iOS 27.1, supports next-generation Apple Intelligence (including redesigned Siri)

Battery Life Up to 31 hours video playback (inner), 44 hours (outer), or 24 hours typical use

Malaysia Pricing RM9,499 (256GB), RM10,499 (512GB), RM12,499 (1TB), RM15,499 (2TB)

Pre-order Date 8pm on 16 October, local availability beginning 23 October

Stylus Support USB-C Apple Pencil support expected by the end of 2026 (not at launch)

Why Was the Shorter Apple Pencil Scrapped for the iPhone Duo?

Apple reportedly scrapped the shorter Apple Pencil designed specifically for the iPhone Duo after encountering technical problems before the accessory entered mass production, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company had designed the shorter Pencil to work with the Duo and attach magnetically to the hinge side of the device, but ultimately abandoned the accessory.

It remains unclear whether the reported problems were related to the Pencil itself or the iPhone Duo’s ability to magnetically charge the smaller accessory. Apple has not indicated whether the cancelled smaller Pencil could eventually return in another form, although the reported technical issues do not necessarily rule out a future version of the accessory.

Apple ultimately abandoned the accessory, however, and instead opted to support the existing USB-C Apple Pencil. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, as reported by Lowyat.NET

Apple cancelled the shorter Apple Pencil for the iPhone Duo due to unspecified technical problems detected before mass production, with no confirmation of a future return for the design.

When Will Apple Pencil Support Be Available on the iPhone Duo?

Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Duo will not be available when the phone launches, with the company saying support for the USB-C Apple Pencil is expected by the end of 2026. The delay appears to be partly because the iPhone Duo was not originally designed around the USB-C Apple Pencil, requiring Apple to introduce software support and conduct additional internal testing.

This means Duo owners will have to wait before they can use an Apple Pencil with either of its displays. The delay is attributed to the need for software support implementation and additional internal testing rather than hardware incompatibility with the existing USB-C Apple Pencil.

The iPhone Duo will not support the USB-C Apple Pencil at launch, with Apple targeting availability of the feature by the end of 2026.

What Are the iPhone Duo’s Full Specifications?

The iPhone Duo is powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip and C2 modem, features a titanium frame, and includes Touch ID built into the side button alongside dual 48MP rear cameras. It packs two batteries rated for up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display, 44 hours on the outer display, or up to 24 hours of typical use.

Additional features include an under-display inner FaceTime camera, a 12MP Center Stage camera on the outer display, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, USB 3 over USB-C, MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. The device runs iOS 27.1 and supports Apple’s next-generation Apple Intelligence features, including the redesigned Siri.

The iPhone Duo includes dual 48MP rear cameras, a titanium frame, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and battery life rated up to 44 hours of video playback on the outer display.

Who Is the iPhone Duo For?

The iPhone Duo targets users seeking a large-screen smartphone that folds into a compact form factor, representing Apple’s entry into the foldable device market. The device appeals to users wanting a 7.6-inch inner display for media consumption and productivity while maintaining portability through the passport-style foldable design.

For stylus users, the future support for the USB-C Apple Pencil by end of 2026 positions the Duo as a potential note-taking and creative device. Given that third-party styluses for Apple products exist in the market, there’s a good chance that a stylus specifically designed for the Duo might appear, possibly as a case and stylus combo reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold series before Samsung dropped S-Pen support for its foldables.

The iPhone Duo is positioned for users seeking a premium foldable smartphone experience with Apple’s ecosystem, with stylus functionality arriving later via USB-C Apple Pencil support.

Common Questions

Does the iPhone Duo support the Apple Pencil?

Yes, the iPhone Duo will support the existing USB-C Apple Pencil, but not at launch. Apple expects to enable the feature by the end of 2026, with the delay attributed to the need for software support and additional internal testing.

What happened to the shorter Apple Pencil designed for the iPhone Duo?

Apple scrapped the shorter Apple Pencil that was designed to attach magnetically to the hinge side of the iPhone Duo. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the accessory was cancelled after encountering technical problems before it entered mass production.

How much does the iPhone Duo cost in Malaysia?

The iPhone Duo starts at RM9,499 for the 256GB model in Malaysia. The 512GB, 1TB and 2TB variants are priced at RM10,499, RM12,499 and RM15,499 respectively, with pre-orders opening at 8pm on 16 October and availability beginning 23 October.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, as published by Lowyat.NET in the article titled “Apple Reportedly Scrapped Shorter Apple Pencil For iPhone Duo Over Technical Problems” (Source URL: https://www.lowyat.net/2026/404753/apple-pencil-iphone-duo-issues/). Additional details about the iPhone Duo specifications and pricing are drawn from the same source and Lowyat.NET’s coverage of the iPhone Duo launch.

All pricing figures are presented in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) as reported in the original source. The article synthesises information from a single primary source (Bloomberg via Lowyat.NET). This article was last updated on 23 October 2026.