Apple launched the iPhone Pocket on Nov. 11, 2025. The nylon and polyester phone case was designed by Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake.
Apple launched the iPhone Pocket on Nov. 11, 2025. The nylon and polyester phone case was designed by Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake.
Apple launched the iPhone Pocket on Nov. 11, 2025. The nylon and polyester phone case was designed by Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake.

Apple's latest product is turning heads for its simplistic design and high price tag.

The tech giant unveiled the iPhone Pocket on Nov. 11. The 3D-knit phone case that starts at $150. The case was made in collaboration with Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake. The late Miyake famously designed Steve Jobs' iconic black turtlenecks, according to NPR.

The iPhone Pocket is made of stretchy nylon and polyester, with pleats that mirror Issey Miyake's renowned Pleats Please design. Inspired by a "piece of cloth," according to an Apple news release, the case can be worn like a crossbody, held in the hand, or tied to another bag. It can fit any size iPhone and a few other pocketable items.

The iPhone Pocket's release comes about a month after Apple announced the iPhone 17 series and the 5.6-millimeter-thin iPhone Air.

"After years of developing one of the most advanced phones on the planet (iPhone Air), Apple's latest release is basically an accessory that lets you carry your iPhone, which is kind of ironic and proves that Apple has such a strong brand that they can sell you almost anything," content creator Varun Mayya said in an Instagram Reel.

How much is the iPhone Pocket?

The iPhone Pocket will be available in two sizes. The short case is $150, and the long case is $230.

What colors are the iPhone Pocket available in?

The short iPhone Pocket is available in lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock (teal), sapphire, cinnamon and black. The long case is available in sapphire, cinnamon and black.

How to buy an iPhone Pocket

The iPhone Pocket will be available for purchase on Friday, Nov. 14, on the Apple website and at select Apple retailers in the United States, China, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

The modern iPod Sock? Internet chimes in on iPhone Pocket

The iPhone Pocket has received some backlash on the Internet, mostly due to its price. But some have applauded its design and usability.

Some are comparing the new phone case to the iPod Sock, a line of similarly colorful, stretchy sleeves meant to protect an iPad, released in 2004. Where the two products differentiate is the price. A six-pack of the infamous iPod Socks was sold for $30.

"I know Apple does things like this to position themselves as a luxury brand and as a shareholder, I still do not buy the idea stunts like these are what's best for the company," software engineer Andrew Yaros said in a LinkedIn post. "At best, a small segment of the target demographic will see this as a curiosity at the cost of further damage to Apple's reputation. I will be the first to welcome Apple bringing back some semblance of fun and whimsy into their product line-up, and this is not the way to do it."

In a TikTok video, content creator Jasmine Darya said the iPhone Pocket doesn't feel innovative to her.

"It's a purse, essentially. It's something that already exists," she said in the video. "I don't really get who's going to buy this."

But not everyone is a naysayer.

"Not sure how Reddit will react to this, but I have to say I love whimsical pretty things like this," one Reddit user commented in a thread about the phone cases. "Also loved the iPod Socks. Not the most practical product and certainly overpriced, but every time I used it it made me smile."

"This actually makes a ton of sense. Miyake has always been about clean lines and practical design with a little flair and Apple’s whole vibe is minimalist utility," another Reddit user commented. "If the iPhone Pocket ends up feeling more like thoughtful design instead of just another overpriced accessory, I could see it catching on. But it’s Apple plus (a) fashion collab so let’s be real, it’s probably going to cost rent money."

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Internet conflicted over Apple's $230 iPhone Pocket case. See new product.

Reporting by Greta Cross, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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