Apple iPhone Pocket Sells Out, Knockoffs Emerge

Apple's limited-edition iPhone Pocket accessory, a collaboration with Japanese design house Issey Miyake, sold out worldwide within two weeks of its launch, prompting a surge in affordable knockoff versions across online marketplaces.

The accessory, introduced on November 14, features a 3D-knitted, stretchy design that envelops an iPhone like a pocket on a strap, allowing visibility of the device's screen. It draws inspiration from Apple's original 2004 iPod sock and comes in two variants: a short strap model priced at $150 and a longer crossbody version at $230. Available in multiple colors to match various iPhone models, the iPhone Pocket was marketed as a blend of craftsmanship and simplicity, offering a way to carry the phone alongside items like AirPods.

Initial reactions to the product were mixed, with many online observers mocking its sock-like appearance and high price as an extravagant sequel to the iPod sock. Despite the ridicule, demand exceeded expectations. It sold out in the United States on the launch day and quickly followed suit in other markets, including France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Apple has not announced plans...