Technology Updates: In defense of Apple’s $230 iPhone sock

Source:

https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/13/in-defense-of-apples-230-iphone-sock/

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Apple’s new iPhone Pocket—essentially a designer cloth sling for your phone—has sparked reactions similar to its infamous $19 polishing cloth. Priced at $149.95 for the short version and $229.95 for the long crossbody, the accessory seems ripe for backlash. Yet, within the context of fashion, especially luxury street style, the product makes more sense.

The iPhone Pocket is created by Issey Miyake, the Japanese label behind the iconic pleated apparel and the innovative APOC (“a piece of cloth”) concept introduced in 1997. APOC reduces waste by crafting garments from a single piece of fabric. Apple highlights the Pocket’s ribbed mesh structure, which stretches to subtly reveal the phone inside. The collaboration feels fitting since Miyake and Steve Jobs shared a creative bond — Miyake even designed Jobs’ signature black mockneck shirt — although Miyake himself was not involved in the Pocket’s design, having passed away in 2022.

The long crossbody version, available in limited colors, aligns with the trend of wearable phone slings, similar to Apple’s own $59 strap. The short version, offered in many bright colors, could resonate more widely and even parallels the phenomenon of Labubu collectible keychains — playful, seemingly frivolous “accessories for accessories” that once saw rare editions fetch up to $10,000. The Pocket taps into this culture of hyper-personalized adornments, where people increasingly carry little more than their phones thanks to Tap to Pay and digital keys.

From mini Trader Joe’s bags to tiny Telfars to novelty keychains from brands like Baggu and IKEA, consumers embrace fun micro-accessories. Whether the iPhone Pocket becomes the “Labubu of 2026” is uncertain, but if it turns into a hot holiday item, the article’s author won’t be surprised.