iFixit Gets Closer Look at Apple's Maligned FineWoven iPhone 15 Case With Teardown

[jmgregory1]

I’m all for the idea of a fabric-wrapped plastic case, but why use ultra-thin thread fabric, then to increase the thickness you have to add a layer of foam? Why not just use a more durable material, like a nylon or heavier gauge polyester like the kind that is used on to make jackets, and attach it directly to the plastic shell? Or if you wanted something more premium looking, use a coated fabric like what Louis Vuitton produces.

 

[neuropsychguy]

This is one of the worst products Apple made in recent times. Overpriced, low quality, low durability, bad looking, cheap looking

Do you have evidence that it's low quality (other than random people's comments) and has low durability? iFixit's report suggests it has good initial quality, just prone to scuffing. It's just being released now so how can you say how long it will last? Just because it might get scuffed up doesn't mean it somehow stops functioning as a case.

It might be overpriced and not to your taste but durability and quality are separate issues.

This doesn't mean I'll buy one of these cases. I'm not interested at the price and I'm not getting an iPhone 15 so I really don't care, I simply am not a fan of people jumping to conclusions based on such limited data. We'll know more over time whether or not it's durable. There are always issues with some products. We'll see if there are major issues. There could be.

 

[Theozz]

Worst Apple accessory since iPod Socks.

 

[mailman199]

Worst Apple accessory since iPod Socks.

I laughed at this, then about 20 seconds later I remembered this was a real thing.

 

[madrigal77]

Alright, so we put our iPhones in protective cases... and then baby the heck out of the case! Because, you know, that case might get a scratch on its protective surface!

When they are charging that much for them, you'd expect them to at least not get permanently scratched by taking them out of the package.

 

[960design]

I have the new FineWoven case.
It immediately does not have the same 'grip' feel.
We will have to see if it stands up to daily use.

 

[Theozz]

I laughed at this, then about 20 seconds later I remembered this was a real thing.

This is the greatest invention Apple ever made and y'all know it.

 

[Nozuka]

I don't know what my dakine backpack is made out of, but it always looks like new. they should make a case from that fabric.

 

[RedWeasel]

They are definitely going to have to replace the whole wall of display units on a daily basis.

Mother Nature will not be amused in the next meeting…

 

[tonie walker]

people love patina on their leather cases why can’t they love stain on our environmental friendly fine woven products - Apple Marketing

 

[AlinomyTomy]

All this coverage over a phone case.....

If it didn't have Apple's logo on it, none of you would care.

Yes, if Apple wasn't selling this case for their new phones, at a premium, and it didn't have a bunch of concerning issues...Apple customers likely would not care a bit.

 

[frankenhooker]

All this coverage over a phone case.....

If it didn't have Apple's logo on it, none of you would care.

If it didn't cost £60 people wouldn't care.

 

[ozarkcanoer]

Alongside the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, Apple introduced a new case material called "FineWoven" as an alternative to leather, and unfortunately, it has not proven popular with some customers.

Image of FineWoven case under microscope from iFixit​

Given the criticism of the FineWoven case, teardown site iFixit obtained one of the accessories and decided to take it apart to get a closer look.

Using a digital microscope, iFixit viewed the FineWoven fabric at 52x and 490x magnification, confirming that it is indeed made up of bundles of tightly woven fibers. Each fiber is much smaller than a strand of hair, measuring in at about six microns thick.

Groups of the individual fibers make up threads that are around 150 microns thick, and iFixit says the microtwill material that Apple is using is not too far off from high-end jackets from companies like Patagonia and Arc'teryx.

When the FineWoven fabric is scratched, the fibers don't break, but the scratch does cause the affected fibers to reflect light irregularly, which means there's a visual mark. The softness of the material also means that items in the pocket with the case can leave an indentation.

Because the FineWoven case is made from fabric, it did stain when exposed to hot sauce and oil, though it was able to resist coffee. When exposed to certain foods or liquids, FineWoven case owners can expect to see the case become stained, and iFixit wasn't able to get the oil or the hot sauce stain out.

iFixit cut the case open to see how it was assembled. The FineWoven fabric is on the outside, with a gray foam inside. Beyond the gray foam, there's a rigid plastic sheet, the MagSafe hardware, white foam, another rigid plastic sheet, and an inner layer of FineWoven fabric. All of the layers are thin, and the FineWoven fabric itself is about 0.17mm.

The sides of the case feature the same FineWoven fabric that appears to have been coated in a resin-like material, producing a hard, non-porous surface.

iFixit suggests that those with FineWoven cases protect it with a Durable Water Repellent spray to make the case more resistant to staining and liquid.

Article Link: iFixit Gets Closer Look at Apple's Maligned FineWoven iPhone 15 Case With Teardown

I find my new FineWoven case for iPhone 15 Pro tight fitting and comfortable. The sides are a little slippery compared to the Apple leather cases I was using on iPhone 11 Pro. The leather had a grippier feel. Time will tell how it wears.

 

[Mac_The_Ripper]

when the case costs 60 bucks I can understand why you'd baby it

To be fair though, if you have to baby the $60 items in your life, you probably shouldn't be buying the iPhone 15. 😊

 

[Mazda 3s]

This is one of the worst products Apple made in recent times. Overpriced, low quality, low durability, bad looking, cheap looking

 

[MayaUser]

FineWoven should be made by people who knows to create yarns and clothes, Apple should start the collaboration(like they did with Hermes even if Hermes products are overpriced since are made by other company) with Kiton or Loro Piana etc

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

its a $9 Ali-Express case.... for $65

But who makes the most profitable case? 😉

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

To be fair though, if you have to baby the $60 items in your life, you probably shouldn't be buying the iPhone 15. 😊

I wouldn't know , I got an iphone but wouldn't pay so much for a bad case. Spigen feels and work better for one fourth of the price

 

[0xjf]

I don't understand the hysteria. I don't need my case to remain in pristine condition -- it's meant to protect the phone. More YouTubers just overreacting as usual

 

[red elma]

Thanks to Apple... so many more "happy" cows... roaming around in the grass fields and constantly farting...

 

[MacTiki]

Apple needs to reverse course on these.

Will never happen. Leather is out. Eliminating animal products is part of the “Green Agenda”

Carnivora, Vegetarian, Vegan or Fruitarian it should be a choice not a legislation.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

" it did stain when exposed to hot sauce and oil, though it was able to resist coffee. When exposed to certain foods or liquids, FineWoven case owners can expect to see the case become stained"

Apple, always looking out, has already addressed the issue in a cost effective and expeditious manner (it's even backwards compatible with the old leather cases):

View attachment 2276691

I call fake: price far too low. Redo it at $79 and make the can beauty cream size (fraction of an ounce) and then I believe it. Move the decimal point: .55 ounces sounds more like it. 😉

 

[ZipZap]

Come on, Apple does not care about fingerprints why would they care about fine woven fabric. Fix the fingerprints.

 

[Antes]

Had it been $25 ($40 with Apple tax) then fine.

But $60??? you either enjoy being robbed, are an extreme Apple fanboi, or both.
returning my blue one next week when the store traffic dies down

 

[t0rqx]

Wait. Hold up. So this was sold as an eco-friendly alternative but the core is made out of plastic!?!? I wonder what Mother Nature will think about this next year, not even mentioning the customers who buy this thinking helping the environment. Who is going to join the class action lawsuit?