Apple Unveils $230 ‘iPhone Pocket,’ and the Web Has Critical Opinions

[ad_1] A far cry from a brand new tech launch, Apple’s newest product launch has prompted jaws to drop because it introduced the discharge of the iPhone Pocket.

The iPhone Pocket, a $149.95–$229.95 wearable “pocket” made in collaboration with Japanese style home ISSEY MIYAKE. The 3D-knitted accent, described by Apple as “a ravishing method to put on and carry iPhone,” is designed to carry any iPhone mannequin and could be worn across the neck, on the shoulder or tied to a bag.

The minimalist knit pouch is available in eight colours for the short-strap model, which prices $149.95, and three for the longer cross-body strap, retailing at $229.95. It launches November 14 in choose international locations, together with the U.S., U.Ok., Japan and France.

<img id="11032194" alt="" caption="A selection of the iPhone Pocket colors available." credit="Apple" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1500px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094808.486.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> A Collaboration with Apple Historical past Apple’s partnership with ISSEY MIYAKE has deep roots. The late Steve Jobs famously wore Miyake’s black turtlenecks, designed solely for him by the Japanese designer.

The brand new accent nods to that connection, and every iPhone Pocket is crafted in Japan utilizing a single 3D-knitted piece of material—a signature Miyake approach. However regardless of the craftsmanship, the worth tag has sparked disbelief on-line.

'Thought This Was a Parody' Social media customers reacted with a mixture of humor, disbelief and resigned admiration.

“Thought this was a parody,” wrote NineSwords. Whereas Modgone stated: “Solely $150 for a chunk of material? That’s a cut price.”

“Ready for the $5 knockoff,” quipped ST33LDI9ITAL.

<img id="11032197" alt="" caption="A close-up of the iPhone Pocket product." credit="Apple" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1500px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094832.138.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> Others identified the design’s connection to Apple’s previous. “ISSEY MIYAKE makes Steve Jobs’s iconic black turtleneck,” stated Reddit person Far_Specific4836. “This isn't only a style factor. ISSEY MIYAKE makes their very own material in Japan utilizing Japanese labor. It’s gonna be costly as a result of it’s not low cost s***.”

Others noticed nostalgia, with some referencing the 2000s iPod sock. “iPod Socks tribute omg,” wrote CaramelCraftYT.

“For this reason Android customers are mocking us,” wrote person newspeer.

Whereas some shared actual upset with the worth tag. “Folks can’t afford groceries, get and even discover a job, purchase a home, or have children, and Apple desires of us to pay $230 for a handbag my gramma crocheted in 1980? We live in some wild occasions…” stated vikicrays.

<img id="11032200" alt="" caption="An example of how to wear the iPhone Pocket." credit="Apple" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1500px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Full-size-img-2025-11-12T094856.030.png?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> iPhone Equipment The iPhone Pocket is much from the one iPhone accent with a hefty price ticket. In its September keynote, Apple additionally introduced the launch of the brand new Crossbody Strap for iPhone, retailing at $59.

In the meantime the most cost effective protecting circumstances for iPhones out there from Apple are the iPhone Air Bumper and iPhone 16e Silicone Case, each retailing for $39.