Apple’s newly launched $230 iPhone Pocket, a knitted carrying case designed in collaboration with renowned Japanese designer Issey Miyake, makes sense as a luxury fashion accessory and a wearable extension of the iPhone experience. While the price tag has drawn widespread ridicule online, the product embodies Apple’s evolution from a pure technology company into a luxury lifestyle brand, blending craftsmanship, design, and exclusivity in a novel way[2][3][4].
The iPhone Pocket is crafted with a unique 3D-knitted construction inspired by the concept of “a piece of cloth.” It fully encloses the iPhone while expanding to hold small everyday items, offering versatile wearability through a long crossbody strap or a shorter hand-held version. The design incorporates Issey Miyake’s signature ribbed mesh and patented pleats, creating a visually distinctive and tactile accessory that is as much about style as functionality[1][3].
Apple and Issey Miyake share a philosophy celebrating simplicity, craftsmanship, and delight in design. Molly Anderson, Apple’s VP of industrial design, described the Pocket as a “natural accompaniment” to Apple products, providing a beautiful way to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and essentials[3]. Yoshiyuki Miyamae, design director at Miyake Design Studio, emphasized that the Pocket “speaks to the bond between iPhone and its user” and explores “the joy of wearing iPhone in your own way,” highlighting the product’s role as a personal fashion statement[2].
Despite the backlash likening the Pocket to an overpriced sock and the skepticism about its practical value, analysts see it as part of a broader trend of making iPhones wearable accessories. This trend began with sports armbands and evolved into daily wearable straps, reflecting consumers’ desires to integrate technology seamlessly into their lifestyles and wardrobes. The $230 price reflects not just the material cost but the collaboration’s exclusivity, craftsmanship, and Apple’s branding strategy[3].
Critics argue the product is a marketing stunt that generates free publicity through controversy and reinforces Apple’s positioning as a luxury brand that commands premium prices. The iPhone Pocket is expected to appeal to fashion-conscious consumers and influencers, potentially becoming a visible status symbol in celebrity and social media circles[4][5].
In summary, Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket makes sense as a deliberately high-end, design-focused accessory that transforms the iPhone into a wearable fashion item, aligning with Apple’s luxury branding and the growing trend toward tech as lifestyle. While not a necessity, it represents a fusion of technology, fashion, and exclusivity that appeals to a niche market willing to pay for craftsmanship and brand identity[2][3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 5:50:51 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket “sock,” a collaboration with designer Issey Miyake, has sparked divided expert opinions, with some seeing it as a natural evolution of making the iPhone wearable and a fashion statement rooted in craftsmanship and exclusivity. Technology analyst MG Siegler noted that the accessory “builds on the existing trend of turning the iPhone into a wearable,” while design director Yoshiyuki Miyamae emphasized it “speaks to the bond between iPhone and its user” and explores “the joy of wearing iPhone in your own way”[2][4]. Conversely, critics mock the high price, calling it an “insanely expensive sock” and highlighting its limited practicality, though others argue the product’s value lies
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:00:51 PM
Apple’s unveiling of the $230 iPhone Sock sparked skepticism mixed with intrigue in the market, reflecting social signaling trends seen in high fashion despite initial mockery referencing Steve Jobs’ 2004 iPod Socks comment[1]. Apple’s stock showed mild negative pressure around this period, with shares finishing down about 1.5% on November 11, 2025, as investors balanced enthusiasm for new product announcements with concerns about economic headwinds and cautious AI adoption[2]. Analysts note that while hardware innovations remain incremental, Apple’s focus on ecosystem integration and services continues to drive investor interest amid a challenging macroeconomic environment[3].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:10:45 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory co-designed with Issey Miyake, has sparked global debate, selling out within hours in major markets including the U.S., U.K., Japan, and Singapore despite widespread online mockery. International tech analysts and fashion commentators note that the product’s real value lies in its marketing impact, with one expert stating, “They aren’t selling a sock for $230. They are selling the conversation around it,” as Apple leverages controversy to reinforce its luxury brand status worldwide.
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:30:47 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket "sock," designed in collaboration with Japanese designer Issey Miyake, has sparked a global mix of bemusement and fascination since its release on November 14, 2025. Available in select countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Japan, South Korea, and Greater China, the limited-edition accessory embodies Apple's shift toward blending tech with luxury fashion, igniting discussions worldwide about its high price and unique concept[3][9]. While some consumers mock the costly fabric pouch as an overpriced novelty, others see it as a continuation of Apple’s strategy to transform the iPhone into a wearable status symbol, highlighting regional differences in perception of tech-luxury products[2][6].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:40:47 PM
Apple's $230 iPhone Pocket will launch tomorrow in 10 international markets—the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Greater China—signaling the company's aggressive push into the luxury accessory space globally[3]. The collaboration with Japanese designer Issey Miyake, who designed Steve Jobs' iconic turtlenecks, positions this as a fashion statement rather than a mere tech accessory, with Apple's vice president of industrial design stating the product "exemplifies" the shared design philosophy of "craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight"[9]. Despite widespread online mockery—with critics calling it "an
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 6:50:51 PM
Apple's $230 iPhone Pocket, created in collaboration with fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE, features a technically sophisticated 3D-knitted nylon, polyester, and polyurethane construction designed to fully enclose and stretchably fit an iPhone and other pocketable items, combining functional textile innovation with luxury design[1][3]. Its ribbed mesh structure, inspired by ISSEY MIYAKE’s patented pleats, allows partial visibility of the phone's display when stretched, bridging wearable tech and fashion in a highly versatile accessory with multiple wearing styles[1][3]. While criticized as an expensive “sock,” this product strategically leverages Apple's luxury brand positioning, generating significant PR and reaffirming its market role beyond pure tec
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:01:04 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket, a knitted crossbody collaboration with designer Issey Miyake, is seen by some experts as a strategic move to merge tech with luxury fashion, rather than just a practical accessory. Technology analyst MG Siegler highlighted this product as part of an ongoing trend to make iPhones wearable, emphasizing its role in brand exclusivity and design innovation linked to Steve Jobs’ admiration for Miyake[2]. Industry voices also suggest that the high price generates significant free publicity, signaling Apple’s positioning as a luxury brand where exclusivity and fashion appeal outweigh purely functional value[7].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:11:05 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket, a collaboration with designer Issey Miyake, is seen by experts as a strategic move to position the iPhone as a wearable fashion accessory rather than a mere tech gadget. Technology analyst MG Siegler noted it as “an insanely expensive sock” but highlighted the trend of turning the iPhone into wearable gear, linking it to Miyake's legacy as one of Steve Jobs’ favorite designers[2]. Industry opinions suggest the high price emphasizes exclusivity and brand prestige, with commentators like those on Hacker News arguing the product’s real value lies in the conversation and luxury branding it generates, rather than its functional utility[6].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:21:00 PM
Apple’s $229.95 iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted crossbody strap co-designed with Issey Miyake, has sparked global debate but aligns with the company’s strategy of positioning itself as a luxury fashion brand, not just a tech giant. Analysts note that the product—marketed as “a piece of cloth” and available in select cities—generates millions in free PR and makes Apple’s other premium accessories seem more reasonable by comparison, with one tech influencer calling it “an insanely expensive sock” that will likely sell out due to its exclusivity and celebrity appeal. Molly Anderson, Apple’s VP of industrial design, stated the Pocket “exemplifies craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight,” while fashion
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:31:07 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition accessory co-designed with Issey Miyake, has sparked global debate, selling out in select stores across the U.S., U.K., Japan, and France within hours of its November 14 launch. International media outlets from CNN to The Register have highlighted the product’s polarizing reception, with tech analysts noting that the “luxury sock” generates millions in free publicity and positions Apple as a fashion-forward brand, while critics on social media mock its price—calling it “a cut-up sock” and “an insanely expensive sock.” Despite the ridicule, Apple’s strategy appears successful: the iPhone Pocket has become a viral talking point, reinforcing the company’s image as a luxury innovator
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:41:06 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket, designed in collaboration with fashion icon Issey Miyake, makes sense as part of the growing trend to transform the iPhone into a wearable accessory, blending luxury fashion with technology, according to analyst MG Siegler[2]. The 3D-knitted, versatile piece reflects a shared design ethos of craftsmanship and simplicity between Apple and Miyake, aiming to offer a unique way to carry and showcase the iPhone while creating a sense of exclusivity that appeals to Apple’s luxury brand image[1][2][6]. Industry opinions suggest the high price is less about function and more about generating a cultural conversation and reinforcing Apple’s status as a premium lifestyle brand[6].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 7:51:05 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition collaboration with ISSEY MIYAKE, reflects a strategic shift as tech giants increasingly compete in the luxury fashion space—where Apple’s brand cachet allows it to command premium prices that rivals like Microsoft or Samsung cannot match. Analysts note that while the product draws ridicule, it positions Apple’s other accessories (like the $129 FineWoven case) as more accessible, reinforcing its ecosystem’s exclusivity and driving millions in free PR. “This isn’t a tech accessory play; it’s a luxury brand play,” said one commentator, highlighting how Apple’s ability to generate buzz and sell out high-priced novelties sets it apart in a market where competitors struggle to replicate
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 8:01:06 PM
Apple’s $229.95 iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition collaboration with Issey Miyake, launched Friday and is already selling out in select stores despite widespread online ridicule, with tech analyst MG Siegler noting it “exemplifies the trend of turning the iPhone into a daily wearable.” Molly Anderson, Apple’s VP of Industrial Design, stated the product “celebrates craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight,” while observers point to the free global media coverage and the accessory’s role in reinforcing Apple’s luxury brand image. The short version retails for $149.95, and both models are marketed as “3D-knitted” pieces inspired by “a single piece of cloth,” according to Apple’s official website
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 8:11:12 PM
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket sock has sparked widespread bemusement and ridicule among consumers and the public, with many criticizing its steep price for what looks like a simple knitted sleeve. One social media user on X mockingly said, “$230 for a cut up sock. Apple people will pay anything for anything as long as it’s Apple,” while tech analyst MG Siegler called it “an insanely expensive sock,” highlighting the growing trend of turning iPhones into fashion wearables rather than just tech devices[2][3][5]. Despite the backlash, some experts suggest this product is designed as a luxury fashion statement that leverages Apple’s brand exclusivity, predicting it will sell out and generate significant free PR through the online controversy[3].
🔄 Updated: 11/13/2025, 8:21:05 PM
Apple's launch of the $230 iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted phone sock designed with Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake, has elicited mixed market reactions but minimal immediate impact on Apple's stock price. Despite some skepticism and comparisons to the $29 iPod Socks mocked by Steve Jobs, the exclusivity and fashion collaboration have intrigued segments of consumers focused on social signaling and luxury branding, though investors remain cautious amid broader economic concerns. Following the announcement on November 11, 2025, Apple's shares saw only a marginal decline of about 1.5% on November 13, reflecting broader market unease rather than a direct response to the new accessory[2][4].