So I have my AliExpress Fine Woven case now. I got it in Evergreen. First off, it is 100% a clone case and not a smuggled out original. There is a slim chance that this was an early version of the case that was later revised, but I'd say that's unlikely.
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In any case, here's the breakdown:
1) The packaging is pretty good - the outside looks like the real deal for the most part. Front looks exactly like the official cases, and the back also looks largely the same, save for the differences in model numbers and bar codes on the back.
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2) Inner packaging is from the Apple Leather cases - they mention that the product is real leather and use an iPhone 13 (notched) phone as the model on the inside. Even includes the inserts for that...looks genuine except for the fact that it isn't a leather case.
3) The case is much more muted than the real Fine Woven evergreen case (which is actually quite saturated)...it's almost gray, but with the slightest hint of green. Honestly, it sort of matches Apple's photos more closely than Apple's actual cases do.
4) The back is definitely woven fabric. It feels very close to the real cases, but perhaps not quite as soft. Getting up close, you can see the fibers. Without a real one next to me I can't say if it's a courser weave than the real ones or not. My guess is that is the case, but it's not a huge difference.
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5) The edges are also rubberized woven material, like the real cases. I think the weave here is a little different, though, but I'd need a real one side by side to be sure. Feels very much like the real ones, though. Interestingly enough, there is no seam at the USB port like the real ones...in this way, it actually looks better.
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6) The buttons are colored metal and feel great.
6) The inside is where the real difference is, as the AliExpress FW case has a microfiber lining instead of Finewoven on the inside too. This is, aside from the color difference, the real giveaway that the case is a knock-off instead of the real deal. Magsafe magnets work well, and they even included the RF chip to tell the phone a magsafe accessory has been attached, showing I believe the same animation I see when a genuine Apple wallet is attached.
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The case is VERY tight and fits very snugly, but well. Since this is my case, I don't want to intentionally damage the case, but I honestly think this one might be slightly more scratch resistant than the real ones. I ran my fingernail along a part of it and didn't leave a mark, but similar pressure did mark the real ones. It's an interesting thing, and for $12, I think it's really not a bad purchase at all.
