Leaker Majin BU reports that Apple is developing a new iPhone 17 accessories: A shoulder strap for cases where the iPhone 17 hangs over your hip like a small bag. It always holds the iPhone by 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 locks and is completely dependent on magnets. A metal element that may be magnetically rooted will be incorporated into the strap’s fabric. The two ends are reinforced with different polarized magnetic rings that provide additional support. It seems that additional magnetic elements will be incorporated into the pages of Apple’s iPhone 17 cases to hold the strap in place, but BU does not go into detail about how the attachment works.
Such a magnetic system for mobile phone chains has advantages and disadvantages. It can be fastened and removed almost blindly as the magnets always stick to the right place on the matter. No dull screw or detachment is needed. The question arises with regard to its practical: whether it can remain attached during normal use.
A magnet also introduces the possibility of interference for iPhone components that depend on electromagnetic waves. Since the iPhone XS, Apple has warned against magnetic covers that can reduce the quality produced by the cameras. In the case of the Apple Watch and the Compass feature, Apple even warns against its magnetic bracelet, which may impair the function 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 sports loop straps, for example, trusted a magnetic lock until 2019. The Milanese Loop and Finewoven Watch Bands still have a magnetic lock. Magsafe, both on iPhone and MacBook, also depends on magnets.
Apple is reportedly experimenting with both nylon straps made of a similar material used for the Apple Watch bracelet and silicone. A silicone strap would match silicone cases of the new iPhone that Apple introduces every year. Apparently, the new mobile phone ribbons are already in production, so Apple can start selling them on the first day the iPhone is sold.
Bus reports in general must be seen with some skepticism. He was already active as a leaks before the iPhone 16 was revealed, but many of his claims turned out to be fake: Specific shades of iPhone colors never appeared, the event was held one day before what BU reported, and the iPhone 16 Pro Blueprint BU -Sent turned out to be iPhone 15 Pro Max.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and located from German.