Apple released a new limited edition iPhone accessory that focuses on comfort and accessibility. The Hikawa Grip and Stand gives disabled users an easier way to hold their phones while also working as a simple stand.
Apple placed this accessory in the spotlight because it supports the company’s long work in accessibility design. The product comes from Los Angeles designer Bailey Hikawa, who already creates unusual stands, grips, and cases for iPhones.
As you look at the design, you see a large, soft-touch silicone grip that attaches through MagSafe. It sits on the back of the phone and gives you a steadier hold. Bailey Hikawa says she designed it after an extensive interview process to understand how different people hold their phones. Apple’s own accessibility head Sarah Herrlinger told ELLE Decor that this accessory fits naturally into the company’s work over the last forty years.
Design, Colors, and Purpose
The accessory works with any MagSafe compatible iPhone and costs seventy dollars. You get two color options, Chartreuse in a bright lime tone or Recycled Crater in a granite-like finish. The grip looks like part of a cogwheel and supports people with different grip strengths. It also works as a sturdy stand when you place the phone on a table.
Hikawa says this project changed her work and encouraged her to create more accessibility-focused designs. She adds that people often tell her the grip feels comfortable and helpful. That feedback motivates her to build more products for all kinds of bodies.
Because of its size, the grip does not fit well in a pocket. Hikawa explains that her studio makes cases for the hand, not the pocket. You attach or remove the grip easily through MagSafe, so you can switch to a slimmer setup whenever you need.
The accessory is available online in the United States. It has not yet appeared in physical stores or in the European stores checked so far.
Let us know in the comments what you think about this new accessibility grip.
