Meant to mimic a ‘piece of cloth,’ Apple unveils designer bag for iPhones – National

Remember Steve Jobs' signature black turtlenecks? Well, the man behind his uniform was Japanese designer Issey Miyake, and now his brand has collaborated with his newest product, the iPhone Pocket.

Made from thin strips of ribbed fabric that completely enclose the iPhone, sling bags, when stretched, expose the phone's screen so users can see its display through the material.

The minimalist accessory comes at a price; shoppers will have to pay between $149.95 and $229.95—depending on strap length—to get their hands on an item that's being compared online to iPod socka handleless version of the cotton holder from Apple released in 2004 for now largely obsolete iPods.

Unlike the iPhone Pocket, iPod socks don't break the bank. Twenty-one years ago, an iPod user could hide their device in a rectangular piece of fabric for $29, which came in a six-pack.

Two decades later, the knitted iPhone pocket comes with a lanyard and can be carried in your hand, strapped to your bag, or worn directly on your body. It comes in a variety of colors including pink, purple, black and brown.

The short strap model is available in eight colors, while the long strap model is available in three colors.

Unlike its predecessor from the early 2000s, the iPhone Pocket was released in limited quantities. It will be sold in select stores worldwide, including the US, Japan, China, France, England, South Korea, Italy and Taiwan, starting November 14th.

“The design of iPhone Pocket reflects the connection between the iPhone and its user, while keeping in mind that an Apple product is designed to be versatile in aesthetics and versatile in use,” said Yoshiyuki Miyamae, design director at Miyake Design Studio.

Trending now

• Parents face charges after 4-year-old twins were shot with a gun left under a sofa

• 18-year-old woman dies while traveling on cruise ship; FBI joins investigation

“iPhone Pocket explores the concept of 'carrying pleasure.' [an] iPhone in its own way.” The simplicity of its design echoes what we practice at Issey Miyake—the idea of ​​leaving things less defined to allow for possibility and personal interpretation,” he added.

Marques BrownleeAn American YouTube blogger with more than 20 million subscribers, known for his videos reviewing technological devices, talked about the release of the pocket iPhone. by X as a “litmus test for people who will buy/protect anything Apple makes”, noting the hefty price of the sling bag before adding a separate X post that the colors were “a kind of fiery.”

Some have come to Apple's defense, arguing that the out-of-pocket price can be justified by the collaboration with Miyake.

Social Media Consultant and Analyst Matt Navara told the BBC that price seemed to have less to do with “function” and more to do with “form, branding and exclusivity.”

“This kind of pricing is nothing new in the world of luxury fashion or designer collaborations,” he said. “But most consumers feel like Apple is testing the limits of brand loyalty.”

© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.