With the launch of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and Air in September, Apple also introduced its first crossbody strap. This allows you to wear your iPhone the same way you would carry a small shoulder bag, with the strap draped diagonally across your body. This $59 accessory has received mixed reviews so far, with some saying it’s nice and convenient, and others deciding it’s definitely not an accessory they’d want to use.
Others debate whether the strap makes iPhone owners an easy target for thieves because it advertises that you’re carrying a new smartphone, or whether it deters opportunistic thieves from snatching a loose iPhone from someone’s hands rather than using a knife to cut through the strap.
After trying out the strap (which Apple sent me for review), I found there were both things I liked and things I didn’t like about this new accessory. This strap is useful for traveling, on the go, where you need to have your iPhone close at hand, or for jobs that require you to use your phone frequently.
However, the strap can rub uncomfortably against your neck and shoulders, and removing the strap can make your phone look silly. These two drawbacks are worth considering.
At first glance, the crossbody strap may seem like a typical strap, but Apple has made some unique choices to differentiate it from many other straps already available on the market.
This accessory is made from recycled PET yarn (eco-friendly polyester made from recycled plastic), which gives the woven strap more heft and heft than flimsy fabrics.
But what’s even more interesting is that there are flexible magnets embedded inside the straps that can hold both overlapping straps firmly in place and align them. This allows the strap to stick smoothly as you adjust the stainless steel slider to your desired length.
Apple also offers a variety of straps, making it perfect for both tall and short people. This is not the case with some crossbody handbags. (For reference, the maximum length is 81.9 inches and the minimum length is 42.5 inches.)
Another thing Apple likes is that this strap has a fairly unisex look, unlike many of its existing straps that are marketed to women or look like jewelry or wallets. Plus, for $59, you can buy it in several different colors to match different outfits if you want.
The fit of the straps has a lot to do with your body shape and chest size, but in some cases, the straps can rub against your shoulders and neck when you move around or walk. If you tap the dangling iPhone with your foot, the strap will move as well. This is also a problem if you’re wearing off-the-shoulder tops that show more skin.
In these cases, the straps can be a bit uncomfortable. Although it doesn’t outweigh the convenience, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to switch the strap to a different side of your body after several hours of continuous rubbing.
However, the biggest drawback to Apple’s strap is how the iPhone looks when the strap is removed. This is a purely aesthetic complaint, but if you use a mobile phone, you’re probably already thinking about the fashion aspect.
The strap connects to your phone via two thin loop cords that plug into holes in the bottom of a compatible phone case. These cords have metal anchors at the ends that snap the straps into place.
Threading the stringed connector through the hole can be a little tricky at first, especially if you have large fingers. You don’t have to do this every time you want to go strapless. Instead, the idea is that you simply remove the strap to remove it, and you’re left with a ridiculous-looking iPhone with a tiny cord hanging out of the bottom.
Maybe you think it’s cute, and maybe some people just don’t care how it looks, but if you’re going to go strapless often, I would argue that you might be better off upgrading to a more fashionable strap or case where the connector is a gold or silver metal ring rather than a hanging string with a metal leg.
(Side note: I had my eye on the Bandolier case, and you can see in the company’s product photos how much better it looks when the strap is removed. They also offer chains like the ones you see in high-quality handbags, leather phone cases, and attachable wristlets that come with the strap. You can also add accessories like AirPods holders and expansion pouches. Of course, these cost $59 It’s not affordable ($100-$150 for just the case and strap).
Of course, there are plenty of cheaper straps and lanyards available from sites like Amazon and top case and accessory manufacturers like Casetify and PopSockets, but these tend to attach through an insertable card that fits inside the phone case and provides a single metal loop for attaching the cord.
Having purchased many cheap wristlet straps from Amazon, I can attest to the fact that many of them eventually break, even if the attached metal loop stays in place. Apple’s crossbody strap has no single point of failure, so there are no such concerns.
iPhone crossbody straps are available online at apple.com and in stores in neon yellow, light blue, blue, purple, sienna, orange, tan, green, light gray, and black.
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