Apple Introduces $229 iPhone Pocket Strap Because Apparently Pockets Are Optional Now

Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE have teamed up to launch the iPhone Pocket, a $229 3D-knitted carrier designed to hold your iPhone and a few essentials — basically Apple’s couture answer to “where did I put my phone?” Inspired by MIYAKE’s “a piece of cloth” concept, the minimalist pouch blends fashion and function in true Apple style. Available November 14 in select Apple Stores and online across major regions including France, Greater China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the U.S. — this might actually come in handy on the MTA once Mamdani is officially mayor.

Founded in 1971 by the late Issey Miyake, the Japanese designer became world-renowned for transforming the relationship between fabric, form, and function. His work redefined how clothing moves with the body — from the revolutionary Pleats Please line to the architectural Bao Bao bags and the minimalist fragrances that became cult favorites worldwide. Miyake’s approach was always rooted in innovation, using technology and textile engineering to create garments that felt both futuristic and human. Decades later, ISSEY MIYAKE remains a global design force — one that continues to merge art, science, and everyday practicality with a precision Apple clearly finds familiar.

The iPhone Pocket carries forward ISSEY MIYAKE’s iconic design language with a ribbed, open-knit structure reminiscent of the brand’s signature pleats. Conceived as a modern “extra pocket,” it fully encloses your iPhone while stretching to fit keys, cards, or whatever else you’re juggling through city life. The fabric subtly reveals its contents when expanded — a peek at your screen without pulling the phone out. It can be worn handheld, looped onto a bag, or slung across the body, depending on how ironic you’re feeling that day. Available in a short-strap version with eight color options and a long-strap design in three, Apple’s latest accessory somehow makes carrying a phone look like performance art.

“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,” shared Yoshiyuki Miyamae, Design Director of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO. “iPhone Pocket explores the concept of ‘the joy of wearing iPhone in your own way.’ The simplicity of its design echoes what we practice at ISSEY MIYAKE — the idea of leaving things less defined to allow for possibilities and personal interpretation.”

A Piece of Cloth: ISSEY MIYAKE’s Minimalist Vision Meets Apple’s Design Philosophy

Crafted in Japan, the iPhone Pocket features a seamless 3D-knitted design born from ISSEY MIYAKE’s relentless R&D obsession — the kind of effort usually reserved for spacecraft or ramen perfection. Rooted in the brand’s “a piece of cloth” philosophy, it reimagines the humble pleat as a utilitarian fashion statement for the smartphone era. The project was developed hand-in-hand with the Apple Design Studio, which offered its trademark precision and guidance every step of the way. The result? A minimalist fusion of tech and textile that turns carrying your phone into an art form — or at least a $229 conversation starter.

“Apple and ISSEY MIYAKE share a design approach that celebrates craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight,” said Molly Anderson, Apple’s Vice President of Industrial Design. “This clever extra pocket exemplifies those ideas and is a natural accompaniment to our products. The color palette of iPhone Pocket was intentionally designed to mix and match with all our iPhone models and colors — allowing users to create their own personalized combination. Its recognizable silhouette offers a beautiful new way to carry your iPhone, AirPods, and favorite everyday items.”

The Bottom Line

The iPhone Pocket isn’t for everyone — especially not those who already wince at Apple’s accessory pricing or depend on a dongle DAC for their daily music fix (good luck squeezing that through the knit). But for design purists, Apple devotees, and anyone navigating the “new” New York — where a crowded subway car or impromptu street performance can make pocket access a contact sport — this might actually be the rare fashion-tech crossover that makes sense. Stylish, practical, and undeniably absurd in that very Apple way, it’s both a design statement and a survival tool for the city that no longer sleeps — it scrolls.

Price & Availability

iPhone Pocket is a limited-edition release, available in two sizes, beginning Friday, November 14, 2025 at select Apple Store locations and apple.com in France, Greater China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the U.S.

• iPhone Pocket Short Strap – $149.95 in lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon, and black;
• iPhone Pocket Long Strap – $229.95 in sapphire, cinnamon, and black

Purchase iPhone Pocket at these Apple Store locations:

• Apple Canton Road, Hong Kong
• Apple Ginza, Tokyo
• Apple Jing’an, Shanghai
• Apple Marché Saint-Germain, Paris
• Apple Myeongdong, Seoul
• Apple Orchard Road, Singapore
• Apple Piazza Liberty, Milan
• Apple Regent Street, London
• Apple SoHo, New York City
• Apple Xinyi A13, Taipei

About ISSEY MIYAKE

ISSEY MIYAKE was founded in 1971 by the namesake designer, one year after the establishment of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO. The company operates through an integrated process for clothing and related items, encompassing creative conception, development, manufacturing, and retail operations. Guided by the philosophy of “bringing unprecedented originality for ease in everyday life,” ISSEY MIYAKE practices this commitment through products conceived with society and the future in mind, thus ensuring a lasting culture of innovative design and making.

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