Apple’s $2,000 iPhone Duo Tops Galaxy Z Fold8 in Early Foldable Test

Q: Why is Apple delaying Pencil support for the iPhone Duo until later in 2026, and what does it mean for early buyers?

Apple appears to be delaying full Pencil support because the iPhone Duo’s stylus system is not fully finished at launch. Reporting around the device says Apple had tested a custom, smaller Pencil that could magnetically attach and charge on the phone, but that accessory now seems unlikely to ship. Instead, Apple is expected to add support later in 2026 for the existing USB-C Apple Pencil, not Apple Pencil Pro, suggesting the hardware may be ready but the software and accessory strategy are still being finalized. That likely means Apple is prioritizing the foldable’s core launch features while it completes stylus-related software work, including how writing, palm rejection, app support, and dual-screen behavior work on a folding iPhone. The broader rollout of hinge-aware app tools and foldable APIs also points to Apple still building out this category. For early buyers, the practical effect is simple: they should not expect a complete Pencil experience on day one, even though Apple is marketing the Duo as Pencil-capable. Buyers interested mainly in note-taking, sketching, or document markup may need to wait for a later software update before that use case is reliable. It also means some uncertainty remains. Apple has indicated support is coming, but only for the USB-C Apple Pencil, and the exact timing and feature set are still unclear. For a $1,999 device, that makes Pencil support more of a future promise than an immediate reason to buy at launch.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 10

$2,000 iPhone Duo impressed in early hands-on testing with smoother app handoff than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, a subtler under-display camera and a matte 7.6-inch inner screen that cuts glare and hides the crease.
Apple’s first foldable also adds practical features including USB-C Apple Pencil support, Duo Preview for selfies and Kid Cue animations, while keeping a 5.4-inch cover display and a passport-style design similar to Android rivals.
IP68 durability gives the titanium-framed phone an edge over the Galaxy Z Fold8’s IP48 rating, though the reviewer said Samsung still has the smoother hinge and supports three apps at once versus Apple’s two.
The early verdict was that Apple has matched key foldable basics on its first try, but performance, battery life and real-world use remain to be tested before the phone goes on sale in October.