Apple Marks 40 Years of Accessibility With New Limited-Edition Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand
Apple is continuing its celebration of 40 years of accessibility innovation with the launch of a brand-new, limited-edition iPhone accessory — the Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand, created in collaboration with Los Angeles–based artist and designer Bailey Hikawa.
Hikawa Phone Grip Now Available in the U.S.
Available now on Apple’s online store in the United States, the accessory is priced at $69.95 and combines Hikawa’s sculptural, playful aesthetic with the everyday practicality of a phone grip. It attaches to the back of an iPhone, offering a more secure hold for users, and it also doubles as a stand for watching videos or taking hands-free calls.
Celebrating Accessibility with Style
What makes this release special isn’t just the design — it’s what the product stands for. Apple has been heavily spotlighting accessibility throughout this anniversary year, highlighting its long history of developing features like VoiceOver, AssistiveTouch, Live Captions, and other tools that empower people with disabilities to use their devices independently. The Hikawa accessory is part of this larger effort to blend art, technology, and inclusion in a way that feels celebratory rather than commercial.
Limited Edition and Collector Appeal
The product arrives as a true limited edition, and based on early buzz, it looks like it could sell out quickly — especially among collectors who enjoy Apple’s occasional artist-focused collaborations. For now, it remains exclusive to the U.S. online store, and there’s no word yet on international availability.
Accessibility at the Core of Apple’s 40-Year Journey
Apple’s 40-year milestone continues to remind the tech world that accessibility isn’t a side project for the company — it’s a core philosophy. And this new accessory is a tiny but symbolic nod to the journey Apple began back in 1985.
Beyond the Headlines: What This Means for the Industry
While Apple justly receives praise for its commitment, this anniversary serves as a key moment to assess the broader accessibility landscape. For us at AndroidApples, it raises a critical question: what can the Android ecosystem learn from this 40-year focus? Google has made significant strides with its TalkBack suite, Live Caption, and Sound Amplifier. However, Apple's deeply integrated, hardware-and-software approach—exemplified by features like Door Detection—creates a high bar for seamless user experience. This isn't just about features; it's about a foundational philosophy that prioritizes accessibility as a core tenet, not an afterthought. Apple's continued innovation pushes the entire industry forward, forcing competitors to elevate their own game, which is ultimately a win for all users.
The Android Angle: How Do Google's Efforts Compare?
As a site dedicated to both platforms, it's crucial to view this news through a comparative lens. Google's approach to accessibility on Android is powerful and highly customizable, but it often relies more on third-party apps and services to fill certain gaps. Apple's control over its entire ecosystem allows for features like Eye Tracking to be baked directly into the operating system, ensuring a uniform experience across supported devices. For Android users, this highlights the importance of advocating for deeper OS-level integration of assistive technologies, even as we celebrate the flexibility and choice the platform already offers. The competition between these two giants in this realm is one of the most positive forces in tech today.
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