'Categorically Terrible,' and Other Early Reactions to Apple's New FineWoven Accessories

[Rnd-chars]

In case anyone is interested in a different perspective, I actually quite like my FineWoven case and wallet. They’re more of a velvet than suede texture, lightweight and the fit and finish are better than the Peak Design I bought for my 12 Pro Max ages ago.

The only leather Apple product I had was the first generation Apple wallet in blue. I’ve had it for a few years now and the edges have worn down, its top is scuffed up, and it’s developed a patina. It’s fine and I don’t regret purchasing it, but I actually prefer the texture of the new wallet, which also has a stronger magnet (at least when paired with the case.)

I’m sure it’ll show scratches and scuffs (just like most leather products and Apple’s uncoated stainless steel devices), but I’m not yet concerned about its durability.

However, if you’re a person who loves leather, then this is *definitely* not the case for you.

 

[DblHelix]

I hate vegan leather or faux leather. Will buy elsewhere. The fact these are likely plastic based fiber and last a short period of time vs lifetime for many leather goods should contribute to the environmental impact.

 

[floral]

People really loved the Apple leather case quality. Then Apple replaced it with an inferior product, named it a direct replacement for leather, made a big deal about it, charged the same money for it. So, there is understandable backlash.

Hmmm... So then, why not buy the old leather cases they offered?

 

[cjgrif]

This is my original leather wallet with 3 years of use, compared to a 1 week old FineWoven. The real test for durability will be to see what the FineWoven looks like 3 years from now and do another side-by-side comparison.

 

[akb]

Hmmm... So then, why not buy the old leather cases they offered?

For phones we don't have?

 

[charlesdayton]

“

Hmmm... So then, why not buy the old leather cases they offered?

They don’t fit the iPhone 15 models

 

[floral]

For phones we don't have?

Couldn't you, like, cut some sections off for the Action Button and the like...?

 

[Stromos]

Hmmm... So then, why not buy the old leather cases they offered?

The phone is a different size??

 

[Analog Kid]

You are an animal - are you okaying your next of kin to turn your hide into a scrote-purse or a phone-case that they will use for about 18 months?

"If it doesn't apply the lotion it gets the hose, Dad..."

Absolutely, I’d be ok with this.

Harvest my organs, put my corpse on a med-school slab. Turn my pelt into a jacket and put my pinky bone on your keychain. Use every part of the Analog Kid, as they say.

 

[akb]

Couldn't you, like, cut some sections off for the Action Button and the like...?

Seems reasonable when you put it like that.

 

[Stromos]

Couldn't you, like, cut some sections off for the Action Button and the like...?

Or maybe just buy a third party and not give Apple money for their poor choices.

 

[floral]

Or maybe just buy a third party and not give Apple money for their poor choices.

That was my original point... but people prefer Apple's way of doing it, I suppose.

 

[fuchsdh]

I think the real argument here is simple there is nothing premium about the case. There is nothing that makes it worth 60 bucks. Its the Apple cleaning cloth all over again. Want to show how much disposable income you have? This is the case to buy. It brings nothing to the table compared to a case at Five Below.

Apple wants people to give them money because its not leather. The margins on this case being produced at a Apple scale have to be huge. 60 dollar leather case you can say of course it costs more than a cheap case its real leather. This is no longer better materials than a cheap case but they kept the price the same.

Apple lost this one. They wanted to see how dumb people were and they found the limit.

The extreme fans don't count. Apple could go to buy every iPhone case at Dollar Tree slap a Apple sticker on it and charge 80 bucks and people here would still defend it.

The quality of Apple accessories doesn't match their premium price in many scenarios nowadays. They never were cheap but now they are not even trying to hide it. Same quality as the competition but you basically pay for the logo.

I fundamentally don't think any large segment of people buy cases from Apple as a means of flaunting wealth. There were always better or cheaper case options out there, I don't see why this is something to talk about other than grist for the Apple news mill.

 

[charlesdayton]

Because Apple doesn’t want to use plastics.

The whole case is made out of plastic. Except for the buttons and thin woven fabric covering the back/inside.

 

[Flash1420]

I returned my FineWoven case. The quality seems very cheap. They could have at least switched to vegan leather.

 

[coffeemilktea]

Well if there's one good thing in all of this, this is going to be a great year for companies selling third-party leather cases.

 

[vipergts2207]

Actually I think they should. However cars would be recognizable anyway. I never understood that prestige argument. Most of use here live in quite wealthy countries. It is very hard to impress people with things you own here. In Germany people tend to hide their wealth. Rich people here often have very low profile mansions or they hide their large mansions behind trees and walls.

Meanwhile people actually pay extra for the (tacky) light up Mercedes logo.

 

[jclardy]

Bought the green, I’ll be returning it. Mostly to send a message that Apple can’t get away with dropping junk on their most dedicated users.

I love the color, feel is okay, but my main issue is just the dust. Every spec of dust is visible on the surface…and is a pain to wipe off. And that is just sitting on my desk, I can’t see this thing looking good after just a week.

 

[Andy_in_Colorado]

Virtue signal blows up in Apple's face? What a shame.

I like Apple's phones very much, having had iphones since the 3GS, and am looking forward to my new phone tomorrow. But their pet projects outside of their expertise? Lame, counterproductive, and actually HARMFUL to the cause they pretend to support. Wish they would quit it and put the parasites out to pasture.

 

[bruinsrme]

If I were an animal, I couldn't care less about what happens to my skin after butchering, as leather is made from leftovers from the meat industry anyway.

There’s the next problem, meat eaters. How dare we eat meat.

 

[gpat]

There’s the next problem, meat eaters. How dare we eat meat.

Just wait until they decide to crack down on the oxygen burners.
Only plants deserve to exist as the only worthy lifeforms.

 

[iPay]

Imagine scratching a $50 bill, and it falls apart!

 

[gpat]

I returned my FineWoven case. The quality seems very cheap. They could have at least switched to vegan leather.

You mean plastic? Now that's a sustainable and ecofriendly material.

 

[aaronhead14]

Yeah, they’re terrible. Apple needs to bring leather back ASAP. There’s nothing bad about leather, and it’s asinine for them to claim otherwise.

 

[aaronhead14]

I'm all for getting rid of leather.

I’m not.