Apple’s attention-stealing phones and watches may have dominated the stage Wednesday, but the company also quietly revamped its accessory lineup. With updates ranging from ultra-thin protection for the iPhone Air to a resurrected MagSafe battery strategy, the updates indicate Apple pushing everyday utility as it tries to reverse past mistakes.
OtterBox Symmetry for iPhone Air
For the iPhone Air, Apple unveiled a bumper-style clear case that is only 1mm thick. The solution is straightforward: maintain the razor-thin profile the device is known for, but adds impact and scratch resistance to survive everyday knocks. It’s not designed to be a tank — hard-core brands like OtterBox still dominate that field — but for those who didn’t want to bulk up a svelte phone, it was the minimalism compromise.
Design-wise, Apple is betting on both clarity and rigidity. Think firm polymer, crisp edges, not floppy shell. The approach aligns with the larger trend toward “barely there” cases, which show off a phone’s finish and geometry rather than trying to disguise it.
TechWoven takes over from problem FineWoven
Apple is saying farewell to the name FineWoven for cases and letting go of something that is being called TechWoven, which translates into textiles woven from more than one colored yarn, and, importantly, overcoated. That last part matters. FineWoven was widely panned as sofuzzing and staining too soon; publications like The Verge and teardowns from iFixit pointed to how easily the fabric scuffed under average use.
TechWoven claims to address durability without sacrificing the look of a premium fabric. The multi-yarn weave should give some depth to color, meaning less flat, uniform shine that caused FolkArt FineWoven to start to look tired in a hurry. Apple is providing several finishes that correspond to its phone palette, a subtle but important reference to the brand’s color coordination playbook.
iPhone 17 Pro now comes in clear and silicone
For the iPhone 17 Pro, Apple added a clear case and updated its silicone cases for new colors. The company has not made it clear if the clear Pro case uses the same 1mm “Air” formula but the purpose certainly does: show off the chassis while protecting it from scratches and pocket grit.
Silicone remains Apple’s utilitarian staple. It’s the safe bet for grip and a more appealing in-hand feel, and the new colors are tuned to match the Pro finishes this year. Apple has deployed color-matched cases to create attachment at the register for years, and retail analysts often cite the tactic as a quiet force behind accessory revenue.
A built-in crossbody strap on Apple’s case system
Apple also unveiled a crossbody strap that connects directly to points built into the new cases for both its iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro. It’s a direct response to a trend popularized by brands like Bandolier and CASETiFY: hands-free carry that lets your phone feel more like a wearable you’d use every day.
But outside of fashion, the function is real. Commutes, pro event shoots, travel rides every one has made this keenly aware of the need for speed and accessibility without having to ‘fish’ through their poor large pockets for access. And your phone is at less risk, since it’s less likely to fall out of your hands and for petty thieves try and grab it in a crowded area.
MagSafe battery pack back for iPhone Air
And in a welcome return, Apple announced a MagSafe battery pack made specifically for the iPhone Air. Apple says the combination can provide up to 40 hours of total usage, up from 22 hours in the previous model, a meaningful leap forward for everyone who shoots video, navigates throughout the day or depends on hotspot tethering. Of course, actual mileage will vary based on settings, signal and workload.
And this is Apple coming back to a category that it retreated from after it discontinued the MagSafe Battery Pack. The architecture of the new one should be much more closely fit to the dimensions and magnets in the Air, so as to provide better stability and cooling internals compared to any third-party brick. It’s the accessory most likely to alter daily behavior for creators and travelers.
Why these accessories matter
Accessories are not an afterthought for Apple. The company lumps them together in its Wearables, Home and Accessories segment, which according to Apple’s financial filings produced tens of billions in annual revenue. Attachment rates are strong, too: industry surveys by the likes of Statista consistently show that a majority of smartphones are kept in protective cases, and Apple’s own case ecosystem is usually the default for many buyers at time of purchase.
There’s also a reputational angle. But TechWoven is more than just a new fabric—It’s a public “this thing wasn’t quite durable as we’d hoped” correction to FineWoven itself. The ultra-thin clear case recognizes that for many people, they want a case just to protect without ruining the design. Strap and MagSafe pack into how phones are really used in the wild, not simply how they look on a spec sheet.
Put together, Apple’s September accessories release indicates a pragmatic turn: fewer fashion experiments, more purpose-driven kit. Assuming Apple nails the durability and ergonomics, though, these add-ons might just quietly be the most game-changing things many iPhone owners buy this year.