Apple has created a buzz yet again in the tech and lifestyle world by introducing the iPhone Pocket, priced at roughly Rs 20,000. Contrary to expectations, this is not a new smartphone but a designer pouch meant to carry your iPhone and a few small essentials. The launch has sparked wide debate online for its unusual blend of luxury, fashion, and utility.

Designed as a Style Statement

Apple has collaborated with renowned Japanese designer Issey Miyake to bring out a unique accessory. This iPhone Pocket is a small 3D-knitted bag, made to hold your iPhone, AirPods, cards, or a few other lightweight items. The fabric is stretchable, with a see-through quality when extended, so users can even peek at their phone screen without completely removing the device from the pouch.

The product is being promoted not just as a phone carrier, but as a statement piece. It is available in two main variants: a short-strap version priced at around ₹13,000 and a crossbody long-strap version for about ₹20,000. Currently, it will be available internationally across select Apple Stores and websites in regions such as the US, UK, Japan, and China, but there is no official announcement for the Indian market yet.​

A Luxury for the Few

The iPhone Pocket is clearly aimed at Apple fans and fashion aficionados who value brand association and design. Apple says the pouch reflects the brands’ shared design principles of minimalism, craftsmanship, and innovation. The selected colour palette is meant to match all current iPhone models, giving consumers an option to mix and match as per their style. The pouch is lightweight and makes carrying phones and small items easy and stylish. However, many on social media have poked fun at the idea of spending Rs 20,000 on a pouch, with memes and comments comparing it to a “luxury sock” or questioning its practicality.

Nevertheless, Apple insists that this item stands out for its crafted design and the premium feel associated with their brand. It is being projected as a perfect blend of fashion and function meant for those who want something more than just a tech gadget.​

Not Quite the Budget iPhone

Despite early confusion, the iPhone Pocket is not a cheaper iPhone or a new smartphone model. In recent months, Apple has hinted at more affordable iPhones, like the iPhone 16e, which caters to those wanting Apple devices at a lower price. The Rs 20,000 iPhone Pocket, on the other hand, is not a phone at all, but an accessory. Made with Issey Miyake’s signature textile techniques, it stands at the intersection of technology, style, and high fashion. Buyers in India looking for Apple’s budget phones will need to keep waiting, as there is no confirmation yet of a low-cost handset in the Indian market. The iPhone Pocket, for now, is best seen as a collector’s edition accessory for brand loyalists willing to embrace both the Apple and Issey Miyake legacies.

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