The iPhone Duo is compatible with the Apple Pencil, if you have the right one. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera tested the Apple Pencil with the iPhone Duo to see if it’s a useful tool to use.
If you already own an Apple Pencil 1, Apple Pencil 2, or Apple Pencil Pro to use with an iPad, you’ll be disappointed to learn that they won’t work with the iPhone Duo. The iPhone Duo only works with the Apple Pencil with USB-C, which costs $79 from Apple, but you can get it from Amazon for $69.
The Apple Pencil Pro magnetically attaches and pairs to iPads, but the iPhone Duo needs to pair with the Apple Pencil USB-C using a USB-C cable. Support for Apple Pencil is added in iOS 27.2, which is currently available in beta.
Once paired, the Apple Pencil works with the iPhone Duo just like it works with an iPad. You can write or draw, and there’s a setting to enable palm rejection. You can use the Apple Pencil on both indoor and outdoor screens. The Apple Pencil can magnetically attach to the Duo’s hinge for storage, but it doesn’t charge that way.
Compared to the Apple Pencil Pro, the Apple Pencil USB-C does not have pressure sensitivity, double tap or pressure.
The Apple Pencil tip may leave lines on the Duo’s screen, but the lines will erase with a polishing cloth. Permanent damage is unlikely, but Apple offers an iPhone Duo cover layer replacement option that costs $19 if you have AppleCare+ and $49 if you don’t.
If you want to take notes or do quick sketches with the iPhone Duo, the Apple Pencil with USB-C might be worth the cost, but it’s not as useful as on an iPad due to the limited screen size.
Gn tech
