Apple is facing criticism for a new iPhone case designed by Issey Miyake, priced at $230. The case, part of Apple’s collaboration with the Japanese designer, has sparked debate over its cost and necessity, echoing past controversies surrounding the company’s expensive accessories.
The collaboration marks a shift for Apple, which typically avoids significant design alterations to its devices, instead opting to complement them with accessories from other brands. While companies like Samsung have partnered with luxury designers like Thom Browne to create special edition phones, Apple generally maintains its core product design. This new case, however, represents a higher price point than many of Apple’s previous accessory offerings, drawing comparisons to a $19 polishing cloth previously released by the company. The Issey Miyake case is available for iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and 15 Plus models and is constructed from a unique, textured material.
In 2004, Apple released “iPod Socks,” a simple fabric covering for the iPod, which many now view as a precursor to the company’s current accessory strategy.The current debate highlights Apple’s continued willingness to test the boundaries of pricing for accessories, even as consumers question the value proposition.
