Alongside the launch of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and Air in September, Apple also introduced its first crossbody strap, which allows you to wear your iPhone similar to how you’d carry a small shoulder bag, with the strap lying diagonally across your body. The $59 accessory so far has received mixed reviews, with some saying it’s useful and convenient, while others have decided it’s definitely not an accessory they’d like to use.
Some have also debated whether the strap makes iPhone owners more of a target for thieves as it advertises you’re carrying a nice, new smartphone, or whether it deters thieves who’d rather opportunistically grab a loose iPhone out of someone’s hand than have to use a knife to cut through a strap.
After trying the strap (which was sent to me by Apple for review), I found there were things I both liked and disliked about this new accessory. The strap would certainly be convenient for travel, for being out and about where you need to have your iPhone close at hand, or in some professions where you’re often needing to use your phone.
Image Credits:Apple
However, the strap can rub uncomfortably against your neck and shoulder at times, and the phone looks silly when the strap is removed — two drawbacks worth considering.
At first glance, the crossbody strap may look like a typical lanyard, but Apple, of course, has made some unique choices to differentiate its strap from the many others already available on the market.
The accessory is made with recycled PET yarns (an eco-friendly polyester derived from recycled plastics), which give the woven strap more of heft and weight than a flimsier fabric.
But what’s more interesting is that the strap has embedded flexible magnets inside that help keep both of the overlapping straps secured together and aligned. This makes the strap stick together sleekly, even as you adjust the stainless steel sliders to the length you prefer.
Apple also gives you a lot of strap to work with, so it will work well for both tall and shorter folks — something that can’t be said for some crossbody purses! (The maximum length is 81.9 inches and the minimum length is 42.5 inches, for reference.)
Another point in Apple’s favor is that the strap has a fairly unisex look, unlike many of the existing straps that are marketed toward women or look like jewelry or purses. Plus, at $59, you can buy a couple of different colors to match different outfits if you choose.
... continue reading