Leaker Majin Bu reports that Apple is developing a new iPhone 17 accessory: a shoulder strap for cases where the iPhone 17 hangs over your hip like a small bag. It keeps the iPhone always at hand, and you don’t have to fumble around to get it out of your pocket.
According to Bu, the strap works without carabiners or other physical clasps and relies entirely on magnets. A metal element that can be magnetically docked will be incorporated into the strap’s fabric. The two ends are reinforced with differently polarized magnetic rings that provide additional support. It appears that additional magnetic elements will be incorporated into the sides of Apple’s iPhone 17 cases to hold the strap in place, but Bu doesn’t go into specifics as to how the attachment works.
Such a magnetic system for mobile phone chains has advantages and disadvantages. It can be attached and removed almost blindly, as the magnets always stick to the right place on the case. No tedious unscrewing or detaching is necessary. The question arises as to its practicality: whether it can stay attached during normal use.
A magnet also introduces the possibility of interference for iPhone components that rely on electromagnetic waves. Since the iPhone XS, Apple has warned against magnetic covers that may impair the quality produced by the cameras. In the case of the Apple Watch and the compass function, Apple even warns against its magnetic wristbands, which can impair the functioning of the compass.
Magnetic locking systems are not new to Apple and have been tried and tested on Apple Watch straps for a decade. The previous Sport Loop straps, for example, relied on a magnetic clasp until 2019. The Milanese Loop and FineWoven watch bands still have a magnetic clasp. MagSafe, both on the iPhone and MacBook, also relies on magnets.
Apple is reportedly experimenting with both nylon straps made from a similar material used for the Apple Watch wristbands and silicone. A silicone strap would match the silicone cases of the new iPhone that Apple introduces every year. Apparently, the new mobile phone bands are already in production so that Apple can start selling them on the first day the iPhone goes on sale.
Bu’s reports in general must be viewed with some skepticism. He was already active as a leaker before the iPhone 16 was unveiled, but many of his claims turned out to be false: specific shades of iPhone colors never emerged, the event was held a day before what Bu reported, and the iPhone 16 Pro blueprint Bu posted turned out to be the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.
