Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket Sparks Social Media Mockery
Apple faces widespread criticism for its latest iPhone accessory – a $230 knitted pouch that social media users are comparing to a sock with a hole. The tech giant’s collaboration with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE has drawn global mockery for both its design and premium pricing.
Key Takeaways
- Apple’s iPhone Pocket costs up to $229.95 for a knitted phone pouch
- Social media users compare it to socks, condoms, and swimsuits
- The limited edition accessory launches November 14 in eight colors
- This isn’t Apple’s most expensive accessory – some cases cost $8,000+
What Is the iPhone Pocket?
The iPhone Pocket is a 3D-knit pouch designed exclusively for iPhones, created through Apple’s partnership with ISSEY MIYAKE. Available in two strap sizes – $149.95 for the short version and $229.95 for the longer shoulder strap – the accessory functions as a miniature purse for smartphones.
Apple describes it as exploring “the joy of wearing an iPhone in your own way,” while ISSEY MIYAKE designers drew inspiration from “a piece of cloth” and reinterpreted their signature pleated clothing style.
Social Media Backlash
The internet responded with immediate ridicule. “Use protection, don’t let your iPhone get infected with viruses – iPhone Pocket, the smartphone condom,” one X user joked. Another wrote: “I had to check the domain 3 times, I was so sure this was a joke.”
Comparisons ranged from bikinis to the revealing swimsuit worn by Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat. International users joined the criticism, with Spanish speakers noting it’s “a product that you will not want even as a gift.”
Availability and Pricing Context
The limited edition iPhone Pocket launches November 14 in Apple stores across the US, UK, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. It comes in eight colors: lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon, and black.
While $230 seems steep for a knitted pouch, Apple has previously released far more expensive accessories. Hermès Apple Watch bands reached $1,249, while Caviar diamond cases with real gold and gems start at $8,000.
Yoshiyuki Miyamae, design director of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO, defended the product: “The design of iPhone Pocket speaks to the bond between iPhone and its user, while keeping in mind that an Apple product is designed to be universal in aesthetic and versatile in use.”
