It may be end of the line for Apple’s FineWoven accessories.
Introduced last year as a textile-based replacement for Apple’s leather cases and wallets, FineWoven accessories were touted as a similarly fancy, but more environmentally friendly alternative.
They weren’t greeted all that well, though, with numerous complaints that they’re just not as good as leather products, even though they were sold at the same price.
Now, according to leaker Kosutami (via MacRumors), Apple has stopped production of FineWoven cases, and is moving to “another material” which once again isn’t leather. The report doesn’t have any other details, but Kosutami did report on the launch of FineWoven accessories ahead of time, so he might be onto something here.
I’ve tested several FineWoven wallets and cases over the past eight months or so, and I did notice that they do wear out a bit faster than leather. Recently, I’ve given up on my iPhone 15 Pro Max’s FineWoven case and went case-less for the first time in forever — mostly because it started to look really shoddy (I did keep using the FineWoven wallet).
At this point, this is just a rumor, but it is notable that Apple didn’t add any new FineWoven colors when it recently launched new silicone cases and watch bands.
If the report is accurate, we’re likely to see cases, bands and wallets made out of an entirely new material when the new iPhones launch, likely in the fall.
