FineWoven, an Apple creation made of 68% postconsumer recycled content and used for phone cases, smartwatch bands and the like, was big news when it was first announced in September 2023 as an eco-friendly alternative to leather for Apple accessories. Apple cited the sizable environmental impact of leather production and praised FineWoven’s subtle luster and suede-like feel. But less than a year after its launch, Apple might be nixing production of its FineWoven products.
The rumor comes from Kosutami, a noted Apple leaker, in a post on X. “FineWoven has gone,” Kosutami wrote in the post. “All production line (sic) was stopped and removed. Apple would move to another material — (a)gain, not the leather.” Kosutami also says that the stoppage was due to durability issues.
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
If the rumors are true, they wouldn’t be terribly surprising. Apple refreshed its case lineup just last month, which included some snazzy new springlike colors. None of the refreshed cases were from the FineWoven brand. The refreshed watchbands also failed to include any new FineWoven variants. 9to5Mac noted that Apple downplayed FineWoven last week when the company bragged about its environmental initiatives over the last year.
So if FineWoven is going to be phased out, the writing is clearly on the wall. Kosutami noted that Apple is allegedly working on a new non-leather material to replace FineWoven. We’ll likely hear more about that when the iPhone 16 launches in September, since Apple likes to announce new iPhone accessories with the new iPhone every year. That is, of course, provided that the rumor is true.
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FineWoven was falling apart
The biggest issue with FineWoven is its durability. CNET’s Patrick Holland took the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s FineWoven case for a spin last year and found some notable durability issues. First, a few drops of salt water from the stingray exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences permanently stained the case.
After just one week of use, the case also developed a circular indentation formed where the phone was charged on a MagSafe charger. An accidental tumble into some avocado toast left a dark stain in one corner. Wiping the MagSafe case with soapy water and a soft cloth fixed most of the issues, but even after a thorough clean, the case looked old and beat up after just one week.
Holland wasn’t alone in his assessment. There are hundreds of reports, YouTube videos and social media posts from journalists, consumers and influencers showing how easily the case could be damaged. In one notable example, YouTube reviewer Dave2D was able to scuff the case with one swipe of his fingernail.
There are some examples online of people liking the case and even defending some of the criticisms. After all, a fingernail can leave a permanent mark on leather as well. However, the micro twill cases also had a reputation for peeling, falling apart and hanging onto grime a lot more than Apple’s old leather cases. It was bad enough that we omitted the material from our best iPhone 15 case list.
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