Apple Halves Polishing Cloth Price: Why the New Version Is Thinner and Simpler
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06.09.2026 17:47
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2 min read
Apple has quietly updated one of its most talked-about accessories: the branded Polishing Cloth. The company slashed the official price from $19 to $9. However, initial independent tests reveal that this more than 50% price cut is not an act of pure generosity, but rather the result of a switch to an entirely different material.
Seven Grams Instead of Twelve and a Different Fiber Structure
On the product page on Apple’s online store, the description remains unchanged: the company still promises a soft, non-abrasive material safe for cleaning any screen, including delicate nano-texture glass displays.
A direct comparison of the two revisions reveals immediate differences. As reported by MacRumors, the new $9 version retains roughly the same dimensions but is noticeably thinner, softer, and lacks the previous stiffness. Weighing both cloths showed a nearly twofold difference: the new cloth weighs around 7 grams compared to 12 grams for the original 2021 model.
YouTuber Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs examined the weave under a microscope, finding changes in both thread pattern and density. In terms of feel, the new cloth is closer to the thinner bundled cloths Apple includes with the Vision Pro headset and the Pro Display XDR monitor.
How Cleaning Performance Changed
The simplified material directly impacts its cleaning performance. The original $19 cloth featured a dense, dual-layer construction with a pronounced hydrophobic effect, allowing it to easily wipe away skin oils from glossy glass without leaving streaks.
The new $9 model absorbs moisture faster and cleans slower, requiring noticeably more wiping passes to remove stubborn fingerprints from a phone or laptop screen.
The original Polishing Cloth launched in 2021 and instantly became an internet meme over its $19 price tag for a small piece of fabric. Five years later, Apple made the accessory significantly more affordable, but buyers now get a stripped-down design with reduced cleaning efficiency.
