iPhone Pocket

Overall Reaction & Tone

• Many commenters initially thought the page was satire or an April Fools joke; several double‑checked the URL and date.
• Visual comparisons include “a sock,” “Borat’s swimsuit,” “a mankini,” and a “thneed” from The Lorax.
• The idea that one must “wear an iPhone” is seen as emblematic of Apple becoming self‑parodic.

Pricing, Luxury & Conspicuous Consumption

• The $150–$230 price is widely called outrageous, especially given the synthetic materials (mostly polyester/nylon).
• Some frame it as a straightforward luxury fashion item, similar to Hermès Apple Watch bands or designer handbags: high margin, status symbol, not meant for “average people.”
• Long subthreads debate whether any clothing is worth $500–$1000, leading into discussions of:
  • Underpriced handmade knitting vs industrial fashion.
  • How prices are set by what people will pay, not production cost.
  • Income inequality and “K-shaped” economy dynamics, with moral arguments over luxury spending.

Fashion, 3D Knitting & Design Context

• A minority defends the collaboration as legitimate high fashion: this is an ISSEY MIYAKE piece, aligned with that brand’s history (A‑POC / “a piece of cloth,” seamless garments, 3D knitting).
• Others are interested in the 3D knitting tech itself: one‑piece, seam‑free, shaped knitting as an impressive manufacturing technique that can reduce labor.
• Translation of the “piece of cloth” phrase is clarified as a reference to an existing Miyake design concept, not random nonsense.

Small Phones, Pockets & Design Priorities

• Huge, intense subthread: many hoped “iPhone Pocket” meant a new small iPhone (SE/mini‑style). The product is read as tacit admission that phones are now too big for real pockets.
• Arguments:
  • There is a persistent niche that wants one‑handable, truly pocketable phones with high‑end specs.
  • Counterpoint: Apple and Android makers have extensive sales data; small phones historically underperform, so they’re not prioritized.
  • Debate over whether small‑phone demand is masked by the fact that smaller models are often under‑specced or poorly marketed.
• Broader frustration about women’s clothing lacking usable pockets, forcing bags/straps.

Practicality, Security & Usefulness

• Many see it as less functional than a normal pocket, fanny pack, or small cross‑body bag:
  • Harder to access the screen quickly.
  • Looks like an easy target for theft or strap‑cutting.
• Some note that phone slings are already a visible trend, especially where pockets are small or outfits lack them; this fits that fashion, not a new utility category.

Apple’s Direction & Innovation Debate

• Product is cited as further evidence that Apple is leaning into fashion and high‑margin accessories instead of core software/hardware quality.
• Several contrast this with earlier eras (Jobs, early iPhone/iPod days) and complain about:
  • Recent missteps (Vision Pro, iPhone Air battery/size trade‑offs).
  • Feature regressions in iOS/iPadOS and Mail.
• Others argue it’s just a minor fashion collab buried in the Newsroom, not a strategic inflection point.

China, Politics & Ethics

• One thread fixates on Apple’s use of “Greater China,” seeing it as echoing Chinese irredentist language; others counter that it’s a long‑used business/UN vernacular for the region.
• Related discussion touches on:
  • Apple’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing and legal compliance (e.g., app removals).
  • Tension between Tim Cook’s public identity (e.g., LGBT) and Apple’s cooperation with restrictive regimes.
• Views diverge between “Apple can’t realistically fight Chinese law” and “Apple cynically complies where it’s profitable.”