Apple Says 'Goodbye Leather' in New iPhone Ad Following Controversial Switch to 'FineWoven' Material

[FineWoven]

By far Apple's most pathetic accessory attempt going back at least 20 years. Consider that this timespan also includes the mouse that can only charge upside down, a "sock" for you iPod, and an external display with a stand sold separately for the low low price of $1000. It's that bad.

After much contemplation prior to making my account last year, I knew when they introduced this hilarious joke of a case that I had my MacRumors forum handle. This moment in Apple history will be well-remembered for many years.

 

[7thson]

Use some soap and a rag and that gross case would be clean again.

The finewoven case has been the most durable and nice feeling Apple case I've used yet.

That’s good to know. Any before and after pics of your cleaning? How long have you had it? Sincere questions. No snark.

 

[macfamily]

If you naively believe that Apple is doing it out of love for nature and environment I pity you. Higher profit margins with substitutes.

You're completely wrong on this. Apple will maintain its margins by raising the retail price. They are fearless when it comes to what they charge. They did this because it sounds like they care. In their eyes they are the most enlightened maker of tech products and they can't possibly have a product that results in the killing of Bambi. Let's not forget that leather is a byproduct and its supply will continue regardless Apple's decision. Unless of course Tim has his way and everyone becomes a vegetarian.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm sure they'd quit accessories altogether if it wasn't such a cash cow

(it's now a fine woven cow apparently)

 

[SanderEvers]

I still use leather cases for my iPhone. And I always will. If Apple doesn't want to make them, there are literally thousands of other companies that do.

I have this case: https://decodedbags.com/products/leather-detachable-wallet-chocolate-brown

 

[nikhsub1]

iPhone cycle is 5 years.

Pfff. Maybe yours. Mine is every year.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Yes. I’ll also make a wild guess here that third party supply chains are significantly less efficient and produce more carbon emissions than Apple leather cases did, since that is what Apple seems to care about.

Apple cares about ESG scores and profit. Nothing more nothing less. In the fullness of time ESG compliance is going to make or break a company. Those who don't kowtow and kneel at the altar of the current thing will literally be put out of business.

 

[spazzcat]

My next iPhone maybe the first to not have an official Apple case.

 

[JippaLippa]

not so FINEwoven

 

[bigjnyc]

This doesn't really affectme as I rock my phone naked... But I don't think I've ever seen an Apple product this widely hated and criticized by regular customers on boards and also influencers, youtubers, and journalists.... It's really wild how horrible this has been.... Curious to see if Apple doubles down and releases an updated version... Quietly scraps it altogether or if they return to leather and spin it somehow.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

Leather is far more sustainable! Beef will always be eaten, so make use of the whole cow. I’m glad I scooped up a MagSafe wallet from Woot for half price recently.

 

[timber]

Apple dropped the ball on this.

There are a lot of leather replacement materials in all types of uses, some with a lot more wear and elements exposure than phone cases. There is no reason why this couldn't have been properly done especially considering the short period after which problems started showing up.

Apple probably (total speculation) decided to go alone instead of using an established company and ended pulling a 5G radio.

 

[barkomatic]

I wonder how long it will take for Apple to discontinue or reengineer these cases? Only occasionally will I read about a positive experience with them and although I know many people who have iPhone 15 Pros all of them have 3rd party cases now.

I have a feeling most of these environmentally friendly fine woven cases will end up being burned or buried somewhere in Southeast Asia.

 

[vipergts2207]

No leather, no more Apple cases for me then.

 

[AdamJD]

I think I've been using Spigen going back to the 4s (currently their liquid air armor case). NO issues...good grip, nice texture. The phone has taken occasional falls and the case and phone still look great.

 

[GimmeDatApple]

Leather is a byproduct of animal processing. You can either turn it into goods, or discard it.

 

[zinacef]

This doesn't really affectme as I rock my phone naked... But I don't think I've ever seen an Apple product this widely hated and criticized by regular customers on boards and also influencers, youtubers, and journalists.... It's really wild how horrible this has been.... Curious to see if Apple doubles down and releases an updated version... Quietly scraps it altogether or if they return to leather and spin it somehow.

Same here - naked is the way to go!

 

[Shamgar]

How would you know the replacement isn’t “environmentally friendly” if it wasn’t inferior?

 

[cale508]

I figured I'd try the fine woven case and bought that an put it on in September last year.

I normally walk around with the phone in my front jeans pocket.

Here is how it looked after about 6 months (with dust and all):

View attachment 2368848

Not too bad, but I do miss the normal patina that comes with the leather cases.

Gonna wear this for another 5-6 months before I pass my final judgement, but for now: Finevowen cases are OK, but nothing special.

They are ok for $5.00, not for $60.

 

[dannyyankou]

I got a new/open box FineWoven case on eBay for $25, and maybe it's just that the expectations are so low and I got it cheap, but it's fine so far. I'm sure it'll go downhill from here, but not as bad as I expected.

 

[thadoggfather]

🤡🌏 :
• Eat the (software) bugs
• get in the (i)pod
• wallow in debt by financing your iPhone and other various products.. for you will own nothing and you will be happy
• pick up a $60 FineWoven case to save the earth, and blame yourself for user error when it falls apart

(Tim won't be doing any of these but you should)

 

[AdamJD]

Leather is a byproduct of animal processing. You can either turn it into goods, or discard it.

I wish that were the...case. It's a co-product and the treatment of the animals in some countries could not be more disgusting.

 

[farmboy]

Disgusting.
PETA can go to hell, and Apple is wrong.
Finewoven is crap. Yet Apple will charge the same or might charge us more for sub par quality.

It's not difficult: don't buy it.

 

[Bigkool2inSC]

So stupid, guess ill be going third party for good cases.

Caudabe...

 

[spazzcat]

I wonder how long it will take for Apple to discontinue or reengineer these cases? Only occasionally will I read about a positive experience with them and although I know many people who have iPhone 15 Pros all of them have 3rd party cases now.

I have a feeling most of these environmentally friendly fine woven cases will end up being burned or buried somewhere in Southeast Asia.

I am hoping with iPhone 16, we will get a new case.