Apple has set its sights on Samsung's crown when it comes to smartphone and tablet peripherals. A newly-filed patent shows off the tech giant's designs on usurping the Korean company's superior position when it comes to stylus pencils, with much-improved functionality potentially on the way.
Samsung's Galaxy Note series of smartphones will soon be getting its newest addition with the Galaxy Note 20, announced alongside its upcoming Galaxy S20 and now-available foldable, the Galaxy Z Flip. The current Note 9 stylus is the most advanced to date with a host of handy features intended to make for a smooth and seamless experience, but it might not be for long, if Apple's patent comes to fruition.
The new Apple Pencil patent is for a "touch-based input device with haptic feedback" that could include "orientation detectors, gyroscopes, accelerometers, biometric readers, displays, sensors, switches (e.g., dome switches), buttons, voice coils, and/or other component."
That's a lot to stuff into a pencil, and will certainly give Samsung's stylus a run for its money. The Note 9 stylus can sense the pressure the user is applying, it can transform your scribbles into neat notes, and as an added bonus, it's a remote for your phone that works with gesture controls.
The current Apple Pencil is nowhere near as advanced, but the new one could be capable of touch-based input, as can sense where your fingers are to provide haptic feedback at the location of your grip. It may even be able to transmit alerts via the Pencil from your main device.
- Apple foldable phone incoming: new iPhone reveal 'less than a year away'
- iPhone 12 leak reveals Apple has a Galaxy S20-beating ace up its sleeve
All that being said, big tech companies like Apple frequently file patents, and not all of them ever make the transition from paper to product. Samsung will no doubt be upping the ante itself when the Note 20 launches, and given the wide and varied functionality of its current S-Pen, it's almost certainly got more tricks up its sleeve for the next one.
If Apple really is looking to take on the stylus master, it'll need something really special to stand a chance, and it just might have it.
-
iPadOS 26 just made the iPad a true Mac replacementWait, did Apple just make a touchscreen MacBook?
-
There's an Android foldable coming with Apple Watch support – the first of its kindIs Vivo about to take a swinging ball to Apple’s walled garden?
-
Apple's new Mac software brings many iOS 26 benefits – but adds one thingChanges aplenty
-
Apple's AirPods are getting a very useful upgrade – but not all modelsApple is updating AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 with some great creativity features
-
Apple takes gaming seriously at last – separate Games app coming to iOS 26Apple Games will include Arcade and other gaming services
-
Apple confirms iOS 26 with huge updates and major new featuresApple's switching up its naming game
-
Your iPhone will look very different after Apple's Liquid Glass updateAll your other Apple devices are getting the new redesign too
-
Forget Google's Material 3 Expressive, Apple's "Liquid Glass" iOS 26 could be the real game-changerApple is preparing the biggest change to iOS in years – and we should see it later today
