Apple has done it again. The company that once sold us a polishing cloth for $19 has recently launched something even more baffling — the iPhone Pocket.

Priced at up to $220, this tiny 3D-knitted pouch has sent the internet into a frenzy. Memes are multiplying, critics are scoffing, and yet, somewhere between laughter and disbelief, people are still talking about it.

The iPhone Pocket is the result of a collaboration between Apple and Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake. It is not exactly a phone case, nor quite a bag. Inspired by the concept of "a piece of cloth," it features a single 3D-knitted design that expands to fit any iPhone and other small essentials.

When stretched, the ribbed material reveals a faint outline of what is inside. It can be carried by hand, tied to a bag, or worn across the body.

Crafted in Japan, the product blends Apple's sleek minimalism with Issey Miyake's signature pleats. Available in bright colours and two strap lengths, it sits at the curious intersection of technology and fashion.

While design enthusiasts praise its craftsmanship, others see it as a sign that Apple's pricing philosophy has gone from bold to bizarre. Whether viewed as a piece of wearable art or a glorified sock, it has succeeded in doing what few accessories can: turning a phone holder into a cultural talking point.

And finally, guess what? Similar to the $19 cleaning cloth, Apple has published a list of devices that are compatible with the Pocket.

Apple / accessories