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In conjunction with the launch iPhone 17, 17 Pro and Air in SeptemberApple also introduced its first product Crossbody strapallowing you to wear your iPhone in the same way as a small shoulder bag, with the strap positioned diagonally across your body. The $59 supplement has so far received mixed reviews with some Saying that it useful and comfortableWhile others decided It’s definitely not an accessory They want to use it.
Some have also debated whether the strap makes iPhone owners more of a target for thieves because it advertises that you’re carrying a nice new smartphone, or whether Deter thieves Who would rather opportunistically snatch a disassembled iPhone out of someone’s hand than have to use a knife to cut the strap.
After trying out the band (which Apple sent me to review), I found that there were things I liked and didn’t like about this new accessory. The strap is sure to be convenient for travel, for being outside where you need to have your iPhone close at hand, or for some occupation where you often need to use your phone.
However, the strap can rub against your neck and shoulder uncomfortably at times, and the phone looks silly when the strap is removed — two drawbacks worth considering.
At first glance, a crossbody strap may look like a typical lanyard, but Apple, of course, has made some unique choices to set its strap apart from many other straps already on the market.
The accessory is made from recycled PET yarn (an eco-friendly polyester derived from recycled plastic), giving the woven belt more heft and weight than thinner fabric.
But what’s even more interesting is that the strap has flexible magnets inside it that help keep both overlapping straps together and together. This makes the belt stick together smoothly, even when you adjust the stainless steel sliders to your preferred length.
Apple also gives you plenty of straps to work with, so it will work well for both tall and short people – something that can’t be said for some cross-body wallets! (Maximum length is 81.9 inches and minimum length is 42.5 inches for reference.)
Another point in Apple’s favor is that the band has a somewhat unisex look, unlike many of the bands out there that are marketed to women or look like jewelry or wallets. Plus, for $59, you can purchase two different colors to match different outfits if you so choose.
How a belt fits on your body has a lot to do with your body shape and chest size, but in some cases, belt wearers may find that the belt rubs against their shoulders or neck as they move and walk. This is because when your leg taps slightly on the dangling iPhone, the strap moves too. This can also be an issue if you’re wearing an off-the-shoulder top, which exposes more of your skin.
In these cases, the belt can be a little uncomfortable – not so much that it outgrows its fit, but it can become a situation where you find yourself switching the belt to different sides of your body after a few hours of constant rubbing.
However, the biggest drawback to the Apple band is the way your iPhone looks when the band is removed. This is purely an aesthetic complaint, but if you’re wearing your phone, you’re probably already considering the fashion angle here.
The band connects to your phone via two thin, coiled wires that fit through holes on the bottom of your compatible phone case. At the end of these ropes there are metal fasteners that the belt is attached to to hold it in place.
Getting the bonded extensions through the holes can be a little difficult at first, especially if you have larger fingers. You wouldn’t want to do this every time you want to wear a bra. Instead, the idea is that you’ll simply undo the strap to remove it, but then you’re left with a silly-looking iPhone that has tiny wires hanging out from the bottom.
Maybe you will find it Niceor maybe you don’t care what this looks like, but I’d argue that if you’re going to be wearing braces a lot, you might be better off upgrading to a more stylish strap or case where the connectors are gold or silver metal rings, not threads strung by metal feet.
(Aside: I’ve been looking forward to the Bandolier issues, and you can see that in the company’s issues Product pictures How much better these things look with the belt removed. In addition, it offers… chains Which look like the ones found in high-end wallets, leather phone cases, and mountable items bracelets That comes with your belt. You can also add accessories like AirPods holders and extending cases. Of course, these are not affordable at $59! Once you start upgrading, you’ll spend about $100-$150 on the case and strap alone.)
There are, of course, many cheap straps and lanyards on sites like Amazon and others, and from top box and accessory makers, such as Cassity or popsocketbut are attached via an insertable card that fits inside your phone case, providing a single metal ring to attach the cord to.
As someone who has gone through a good selection of cheap wrist straps from Amazon, I can attest to the fact that many of them will eventually break, even if the metal loop they attach to stays in place. I don’t have that concern with the Apple band, since it doesn’t have a single point of failure.
The iPhone Crossbody Strap comes in neon yellow, light blue, blue, purple, sienna, orange, tan, green, light gray, and black, and is available online at apple.com and in stores.