Apple Pencil support is coming to the iPhone for the first time, but not every Apple Pencil is invited to the party. Apple has confirmed that the iPhone Duo works exclusively with the Apple Pencil with USB-C. If you already own an Apple Pencil Pro, it won’t pair with your new foldable.
Why the Apple Pencil Pro Doesn’t Make the Cut
The most likely explanation is charging since the Apple Pencil Pro relies on a magnetic connection to charge and pair, snapping onto the side of a compatible iPad. The iPhone Duo has no such magnetic surface built in, so there’s nowhere for the Apple Pencil Pro to attach.
The Apple Pencil with USB-C solves this problem differently. It charges through a USB-C port tucked behind a sliding cap at the top of the pencil, so it never needed a magnetic dock to begin with. That makes it the only stylus in Apple’s lineup that’s actually compatible with how the iPhone Duo is built.
What You Lose With the Apple Pencil with USB-C
The tradeoff is real because the Apple Pencil with USB-C is the entry-level option in Apple’s stylus lineup, and it skips several features found on the Apple Pencil Pro, including:
- Pressure sensitivity
- Double-tap gesture support
- Barrel roll for shading and angling
- Haptic feedback
- Squeeze gesture
- Find My tracking
It still supports tilt sensitivity, so shading and angled strokes will work, just without the more advanced gestures Apple built into the Pro model.
Pricing and Availability
The Apple Pencil with USB-C costs $79, compared to $129 for the Apple Pencil Pro. Apple says the pencil will work across both the inner and outer displays of the iPhone Duo, which makes sense given the whole point of a foldable is using either screen depending on how it’s opened.
One thing worth flagging before you buy: Apple Pencil support won’t be ready when the iPhone Duo actually ships. Apple has said the feature is coming later this year as a software update.
