Apples Issey Miyake iPhone Sock launched today, but its not as random as it sounds
In an unexpected twist to Apple’s product lineup, the tech giant has officially launched the iPhone Pocket, affectionately dubbed the “iPhone Sock” by internet users, in collaboration with renowned designer Issey Miyake. This unique accessory, which hit the market on Friday, is a 3D knit phone holder that embodies a minimalist aesthetic inspired by the concept of “a piece of cloth.” The iPhone Sock is designed to be versatile, allowing users to carry their iPhones in a variety of ways—handheld, cross-body, or even attached to a bag. It comes in two sizes (short and long) and is available in a playful color palette, with prices set at $149.95 for the short version and $229.95 for the long one. Despite the hefty price tag, which has raised eyebrows among even the most ardent Apple fans, the product has already sold out online, showcasing Apple’s enduring appeal and the allure of designer collaborations.
The iPhone Pocket’s design features a ribbed open structure that not only holds the iPhone securely but also allows users to peek at their device’s display when stretched. This innovative approach to a phone holder might seem unusual for Apple, but it reflects the brand’s ongoing exploration of fashion and functionality. The collaboration with Issey Miyake is particularly noteworthy given the historical connection between the late designer and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who once envisioned a uniform designed by Miyake for Apple employees. While the iPhone Sock may not be a traditional tech product, it highlights Apple’s commitment to blending technology with high fashion, a strategy that has proven successful in the past, although not without its missteps, such as the lukewarm reception of the Vision Pro headset.
As Apple continues to push boundaries in both technology and style, the iPhone Sock serves as a testament to the company’s ability to innovate and captivate consumers, regardless of the product’s nature. Whether or not this accessory lives up to the legacy of its founders remains to be seen, but it certainly raises questions about the intersection of technology and fashion in the modern marketplace. With the iPhone Sock’s immediate sell-out status, it seems that Apple has struck a chord with consumers, proving that sometimes, even the most unconventional ideas can resonate in a big way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkOZkaoyEhk
Mashable covers all of Apple’s product launches, and we’ve been speculating for months on what
products the company might still release
in 2025. We thought we might get AirTags 2.0, a new Apple TV device, or an updated HomePod. Truly, we did not see the iPhone Sock coming.
Designed in collaboration with the innovative brand Issey Miyake, the
iPhone Pocket
officially launched on Friday, and the reaction across the web has been very entertaining. The internet, in its collective wisdom, has unofficially rebranded the 3D knit phone holder as the iPhone Sock, which is fair, as Apple says the product was “inspired by the concept of ‘a piece of cloth'”. One enterprising creator even made their own version of the pricey designer accessory, using an old sock, of course.
The iPhone
Pocket
Sock comes in two sizes (short and long) and can be held in your hands, worn cross-body, or wrapped around a bag handle — priced at $149.95 and $229.95. Even many Apple fans were put out by the price, as $230 is a big ask for a phone holder, especially in this economy.
Of course, those aren’t unheard of prices for designer accessories, especially from a brand like Issey Miyake, and Apple has proven time and again that if Apple builds it, people will buy it. (With
the possible exception of the Vision Pro
, of course.) As of this writing, the iPhone Sock is completely sold out in all colors at the
online Apple Store
, but customers may still be able to snag one at select Apple Stores IRL.
So, what is the iPhone Sock?
An
Apple press release
states:
iPhone Pocket features a ribbed open structure with the qualities of the original pleats by ISSEY MIYAKE. Born from the idea of creating an additional pocket, its understated design fully encloses iPhone, expanding to fit more of a user’s everyday items. When stretched, the open textile subtly reveals its contents and allows users to peek at their iPhone display. iPhone Pocket can be worn in a variety of ways — handheld, tied onto bags, or worn directly on the body. Featuring a playful color palette, the short strap design is available in eight colors, and the long strap design in three colors.
This might seem like a random product for Apple, but the company also released the colorful
Apple Crossbody Strap
this fall, though with a more reasonable $59 price tag. Apple and Issey Miyake also have a history together.
Steve Jobs and Japanese designer Miyake were actually friends, and according to Apple legend, Jobs once
tapped Miyake to design an Apple uniform
, which never came to fruition. Apple has continued without Jobs, and likewise, the fashion brand Issey Miyake has continued without its namesake founder, who passed away in 2022.
In the West, Issey Miyake is best known for its origami-inspired handbags and popular fragrances.
An Issey Miyake handbag with the new iPhone Pocket.
Credit: Apple
The iPhone Pocket on its own.
Credit: Apple
Have Apple and Issey Miyake lived up to their founders’ vision? We don’t know, but we are curious about what Steve Jobs would have said about the $230 iPhone Sock. He and Miyake were friends, after all.
