Apple slashes price of its polishing cloth by more than half
Apple has released a new version of its polishing cloth, now priced at $9 instead of $19. The cloth remains made of the same soft, nonabrasive material and is compatible with the same range of Apple devices. The only change appears to be the price.
Apple's revised polishing cloth marks a notable pricing shift, dropping from $19 to $9 while retaining identical specifications. The product description matches an archived version of the original cloth, which Apple has removed from its website, suggesting a straightforward price adjustment rather than a redesign. The cloth remains compatible with a broad range of devices, from the iPhone 5 through current models, and is designed to safely clean any Apple display, including those with nano-texture glass.
The timing coincides with Apple's refreshed Mac Mini and Mac Studio announcements. While those new machines lack screens and therefore don't require the cloth directly, users pairing them with a Studio Display can still make use of the accessory. The price cut may reflect Apple's effort to clear inventory or reposition the product as an accessible accessory.
This price reduction could signal Apple's recognition that a $19 cloth was perceived as excessive, even among loyal customers. The move may help normalize accessory pricing and soften criticism of Apple's premium pricing strategy. Consumers who previously balked at the cost might now consider the purchase, potentially increasing accessory sales overall. The change could also influence how competitors price similar cleaning products, though the broader impact remains modest given the product's niche nature.