Apple has redesigned its polishing cloth after five years and reduced the price from €25 to €10. Whether anything else has changed besides the price tag remains unclear. We compared the new version to the 2021 version and the cloth included with the Apple Vision Pro – and there are more changes than expected.
When Apple launched a €25 polishing cloth in 2021, the product became a symbol of premium accessory prices. Five years later, the new version costs just €10 – a 60 percent drop, a rare occurrence for Apple accessories. At the launch, the company simply provided the same product description as before: soft, non-abrasive material, suitable for any Apple display, including nano-texture glass. No mention was made of what had changed in the cloth itself. Therefore, we compared all three versions side by side.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The new fabric is noticeably thinner and less stiff than the 2021 version.
- The color is darker than on the other two cloths.
- In terms of material thickness and feel, it is closer to the cloth that comes with the Apple Vision Pro.
- The dimensions remain practically the same; the new version is slightly larger at the edges.
- The price drops from 25 to 10 euros, even though the cloth has not become smaller.
Three generations in direct comparison
The most noticeable difference lies in the stiffness. The 2021 version has a firm feel and retains its shape when laid over the edge of the hand. The new version drapes more softly, yields more quickly, and feels significantly more supple when folded.
This results in a thinner material. Rubbed between two fingers, the 2026 version feels noticeably thinner. If you place both on top of each other, you can also see the difference in the stack.
In addition, there's the color: the new cloth is the darkest of the three. It's not only underneath the first model, which appears lighter and slightly cooler in direct comparison, but also underneath the cloth of the Apple Vision Pro.
| Feature | Polishing cloth 2021 | Polishing cloth 2026 | Vision Pro Cloth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material thickness | thicker | thinner | thin |
| Stiffness | firm, dimensionally stable | softer, gives way | soft |
| Shade | brightest | darkest | in between |
| Size | reference | Slightly larger at the edge | larger |
| Price individually | 25 euros | 10 euros | included in the scope of delivery |
Closer to the cloth of the Apple Vision Pro
Anyone who picks up both cloths in succession will quickly notice the direction Apple has taken. The new version, in terms of material thickness and feel, is much more reminiscent of the cloth included with the Apple Vision Pro than of its predecessor. It also takes a different approach in terms of color, being even darker than both.
That makes sense. The Vision Pro cloth is designed for delicate surfaces and needs to conform to curved surfaces. A softer, thinner material follows contours better than a stiff one – on curved glass as well as in the corners of a display frame. You can find detailed instructions on how to properly care for the Vision Pro and its surfaces in our Apple Vision Pro care and cleaning guide.
This is particularly relevant for nanotexture glass. The matte surface cannot tolerate aggressive cleaners or hard fibers, which is why Apple has recommended using its own cleaning cloth exclusively for these displays for years.
The size remains the same, but the price does not
One obvious assumption was that Apple was cutting corners on the size to justify the lower price. However, this can be ruled out after a direct comparison: the two cloths are almost identical; the new version even extends slightly beyond the old one at the edge.
The price difference is therefore not due to a smaller surface area. A more plausible explanation is the change in material itself – a thinner fabric requires less raw material – combined with five years of manufacturing experience and larger production volumes.
Price reductions are the exception at Apple, and this one affects the very product that first established its reputation for exorbitant prices.
Why the softer version is better
In my opinion, the change is a genuine improvement and not just a cost-cutting measure with a nice justification. The stiff cloth from 2021 was flawless on flat surfaces, but unwieldy on edges and curves. The new version drapes more readily, and you notice the difference immediately when cleaning a watch or a curved case back.
The real advantage, however, lies in the price. At €25, the cloth was a statement piece that elicited amusement. At €10, it's simply a decent microfiber cloth made with sensible materials, one that you'd buy even if you don't own a nano-texture screen. Those still using the first version don't need a replacement – it won't break, and it will continue to work perfectly well for flat displays.
An accessory that sheds its reputation
For five years, Apple's polishing cloth was primarily a running joke about accessory prices. The redesigned version eliminates the basis for this debate because it halves the price while simultaneously increasing the material quality instead of reducing it.
Are you still using the first version – and would you upgrade for ten euros, or does any microfiber cloth from the drugstore do the trick for you? Tell us in the comments how you keep your displays clean.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Apple Polishing Cloth
It is thinner, less stiff, and darker in color than the 2021 version. The dimensions remain almost identical, although the new version is slightly larger at the edges.
No. The lower price is not due to a smaller surface area — in a direct comparison, both cloths are practically identical.
Apple gives no reason. The most likely explanation is the thinner fabric, which requires less material, combined with five years of manufacturing experience and larger production volumes.
Not for flat displays — the old version still works. The new version adapts better to curves and edges.
Apple explicitly recommends using its own cloth for nanotexture glass and advises against using cleaning agents and hard fibers.
Is the new cloth the same as the one used on the Apple Vision Pro?
Not identical. In terms of material thickness and feel, it is much closer to the Vision Pro cloth than to its own predecessor, but it is smaller and darker in color.
Apple recommends hand washing with dish soap and approximately 24 hours of drying time before using it again.
