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Why would people want to buy a case with an Apple logo on it anyway? One of the main reasons for a case besides protecting the phone is hiding the logo. If Apple wants to use MY phone as an advertising space, it should pay for it.

Because Apple is well-known for their obtrusive product branding 😂
 
I buy cases to protect my phones from scratches and drops, and I doubt if many people with more than a passing familiarity with smartphones wouldn't be able to pick out an iPhone with a case on it. Most if not all the cases I've had have included the maker's name or logo. Should I have demanded a rebate because of the advertising?
Usually everything that comes with ads is cheaper. For example a Netflix subscription with ads. People pay money for getting rid of ads. So it would make sense to offer an ad free version for a higher price.
 
This environmental movement has become a cult at this point…

I can't agree with this. Action must be taken and there's bound to be missteps (like this) along the way. The earth is in so much more dire conditions than most people realize.

Sure it looks like Apple screwed up here but they've had plenty of hits in other areas with environmental impact.
 
And to think I got banned from the r/MacBook Pro Discord server by an admin frothing at the mouth with rage because I said dropping the leather products waa stupid idea with no valid justification. Was it worth it for this, I wonder?
 
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Did they not test these for durability or worse, how did they still go ahead with it 😵‍💫
You knew this was going to be bad when even Apple tells you, essentially, to buy the silicone case in the small print on the FineWoven case page. And they still undersell the severity with their wording.
 

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I’ve had every iPhone released and always gone caseless. The iPhone 13 Pro got a bit batterer as i was doing lots of renovation work.
So I got a leather case for the 14 Pro and the screen has ended up just as scratched and marked up.
The warm beige-y looking FineWoven and Silicone cases look nothing like the photos, so, back to no case again it is for me, raw titanium with any raw marks and dings it might collect over the next year
 
You still can’t order a FineWoven watch band. I was waiting to order my Series 9 until I could get it with the Magnetic Link, but if FineWoven is really this bad… I think I’ve been saved from a bad decision!
I was hpoint to pick one up on launch too… I wonder if they will actually launch at the same time
 
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Under the guise of environment friendliness, the made a case that clearly costs a fraction of a leather case, and sell it for en even higher price.
And then they don't even bother to try to pretend it's something of quality - as first users are finding out only minutes after unboxing.

I am sure there would have been better ways to keep leather AND be environment friendly. But it was too tempting: production cost 10% of the leather version only (estimate), and sell it for more money. Oh man, these margins !!!

They deserve their case sales to tank completely.
 
Apple cases were never the best anyway. For those that still want (quality) leather ... look at niche/craft makers on platforms such as ETSY (though, acknowledged that there is a lot of junk on there)
 
A case that's more fragile than the phone it protects ;)

Perhaps this is Apples attempt to encourage the ultimate sustainability - don't buy a case
Oh, when I get my iPhone, they always try to sell me a case. I am like, “I buy AppleCare+, so I don’t need a case.”

I wonder why more people don’t tell them to toss off? Apple definitely wants to sell you a case. That represents $57 or $47 of pure profit!
 
Did they not test these for durability or worse, how did they still go ahead with it 😵‍💫
They did, and they probably dont care since they know people will buy them, thinking how they are getting a premium quality case. When in reality, they'll be getting even crappier quality that you get from buying on AliBaba
 
Got my FineWoven case. I'll be returning aftering seeing and feeling it. Already bought a cheap leather one from Amazon and it arrived and is actually pretty nice. Yet to be seen how it holds up. Like many others, I've been buying an Apple leather case with each phone since they first started coming out with them. They've always held up and aged really nicely for me.

I try to be really careful with my devices, but hey it's a case - sometimes it gets splashed with salt water, sometimes you are eating and accidentally get a schmear of something greasy on the case, etc. Leather has always just wiped clean. I've even used a little leather balm to make a worn leather case look great again. I just don't see finewoven being able to hold up to those little daily life events.
 
What’s wrong with leather anyway?! It’s a byproduct of the tonnes of beef we all eat. I’d rather leather continue to be made than it go to waste… we’re still eating beef and the cattle are dying in any case. Bring back leather!
Apple is sadly ran by people from California, who obviously think that leather can only be made by first killing animal's youngliing infront of them, then skinning them alive. So leather for them is "no bueno!"
 
I’m still unsure why they didn’t just go with “vegan leather”, or PVC “can’t afford a real leather jacket” like it was in the 80’s.

Gone with silicone cases this year

And buying leather genuine Apple Watch straps off eBay while they’re still around.

Why they didn’t go with vegan PU leather?

Higher end ones look almost exactly like the real deal. And they are quite durable.
Because Apple doesn’t want to use plastics.
Some cows are produced solely for their leather. Also, the major part of leather being produced is used to subsidize meat production.
That’s simply not true. Why do you make crap up like this without any information? Most bovine hide goes unused (almost 50%). TRIPLE for Bison.

Best thing is to use them and reduce waste. Moreover, it’s bio-degradable and lasts a lifetime (and then some. All my leather briefcases are from the 1950s and 60s).
 


Apple has stopped selling leather accessories, and the company claims its "FineWoven" range of iPhone cases and accessories are overall more environmentally friendly. But in the court of public opinion, early reactions to Apple's alternative material choice appear to be trending towards the negative end of the spectrum.

finewoven-case-the-verge.jpg

Image credit: Nilay Patel of The Verge

Apple calls the new fabric option a "luxurious and durable microtwill," and has priced FineWoven iPhone cases at $59, MagSafe Wallets at $59, AirTag holders at $35, and Apple Watch bands at $99.

The quality of the iPhone cases in particular seems to have riled some customers, with several MacRumors forum members stating they have returned the cases. "After holding it in person", said poster inducecurrent, "it feels more like a $10 cheapo case from Amazon rather than Apple-quality, especially at this price point."

"Received and returned," said another forum member. "Felt cheap almost like cardboard." EvanEiga replied: "The case itself is nice IMO, but I'm not sure if the premium cost is worth it. Leather cases felt so much nicer. I am all for mother nature but when it comes to bang for the buck, FineWoven case is just subpar." Most respondents to a MacRumors forum poll thus far seemed to agree.

Positive customer reactions are just as hard to find on Twitter (X). "I've been using Apple's cases for my phones since the iPhone 7," said X user @eggbutspam, "but I've never returned a case so fast like I did with the FineWoven case I preordered last Friday. FineWoven looks like absolute trash."

"Just got mine in the mail," reported one Reddit user. "It's basically like a polyester pillowcase sandwiched in a plastic shell. I don't hate it, but $60 is kind of insulting."

"Same here," replied another Redditor. "The material looks and feels pretty nice, although it's 0% like leather or suede and definitely not worth $60."

finewoven-bands-2023.jpg

Perhaps the most vehement criticism has come from The Verge's Alison Johnson, who called the new iPhone cases "really bad" and described Apple's FineWoven accessory line in general as "categorically terrible."
Considering many iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 customers have yet to pick up their FineWoven accessories, it's too early to conclude that these early adopter opinions reflect a broad consensus, but so far it has not been the best advert for Apple's new FineWoven accessory range. Have you bought one of the new cases or bands? Let us know what you think of them in the comments.

Article Link: 'Categorically Terrible,' and Other Early Reactions to Apple's New FineWoven Accessories
Got my case (Pacific Blue) in finewoven and it is HORRIBLE. I'll be returning it immediately and looking for third-party leather case with MagSafe built in. If one doesnt exist, I will be starting up a new company and looking for contributors!
 
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