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I still don't know what's environmentally friendly about replacing biodegradable leather with polyester that will last for 1,000 years. Especially when these cases are exchanged after the first fall or at the latest with the new device.

In my view, this is greenwashing for a generation that has a very selfish opinion when it comes to sustainability.
 
Not going to happen because that would be much more expensive, and it would even be more embarrassing than Apple quietly discontinuing a product.

Also, I wonder what the environmental impact differences between natural leather and whatever plastic Apple used when it comes to manufacturing these cases and their end of life at a landfill. I suspect natural leather would be much more environmentally friendly. I wonder if the plastic Apple used isn’t so bad because they designed it to deteriorate rather than around forever. That could be causing the durability issue, but that’s just speculation on my part. These cases might be just as bad as other plastic items.
Making natural leather requires something like 3 gallons of water per square foot and your using a chemical harsh and strong enough to permanently stop the skin tissue harvested from an animal from decaying.
 
Still don't get it why people don't just buy a $10 cover from a third party that lasts the entire lifespan of the phone. Is the Apple logo on the back of the case that important?
Traditionally, Apple's cases have been quite good. Some of my Apple leather cases lasted the life of the phone, had great colors that aged well, and had well-made, clicky buttons, a good balance between style and protection, etc. As to FineWoven cases, they were not high quality and people did turn to third-party accessories in high enough numbers to justify discontinuing them. In neither case was the logo necessarily a major decision driver.
 
I have one of those for my iPhone 15 Plus and it already turned to piss color.

I have been using an ESR clear case since October 2023 and while it is not a “piss colour” as yet, it is steadily moving in that direction and should hit the mark some time this summer, once it gets more sun on it. 😋

In my experience with clear cases, the harder plastic they use, the slower they yellow, yet then they are also really tricky to take off. Apple’s MagSafe clear case is the worst of the bunch, IMO, as it is quite hard, leaves the iPhone bottom exposed and still yellows, albeit slower than some other cases.
 
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Anyone who's bought a Bible recently will have observed that some of the new premium fake leathers like Thomas Nelson's "Leathersoft" are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing and just as hard wearing. That's surely the answer.
Exactly. Vegan leather (to use one of many terms) has improved hugely from the garbage products commonly available from Amazon. I've mentioned this before, but BMW's customers are raving about the new "Veganza" material BMW is offering for upholstery in its European-distributed models. I've heard one person after another saying they like it better than leather. That's noteworthy to me because BMW used great leather. I'm optimistic that Apple can find a genuinely high-quality vegan leather to use for cases and watch bands.
 
Not really. Those are crap too. Had one for my 12 PM and the corners split off (is that the right term) revealing the plastic underneath in less than a year. Another one for my 11 from work had its volume button stuck

I had an Apple one on my 12 mini, that one lasted quite well.
 
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I noticed these started appearing on Woot.com, surely overstock and discontinuing.
 
Exactly. Vegan leather (to use one of many terms) has improved hugely from the garbage products commonly available from Amazon. I've mentioned this before, but BMW's customers are raving about the new "Veganza" material BMW is offering for upholstery in its European-distributed models. I've heard one person after another saying they like it better than leather. That's noteworthy to me because BMW used great leather. I'm optimistic that Apple can find a genuinely high-quality vegan leather to use for cases and watch bands.
I thought Veganza was a Toyota SUV. 🤣
 
This is what happens when the quest for "green" goes wrong. Leather works in phones cases just like it does it wallets, lasts for a very long time, if not forever, and gets better (softer) with age and use. Stick to stuff that is known to work.

Anytime when you see "revolutionary (fill in the blank product)" to replace "known working product" you know you are getting something that is less than what you had. People like the look and feel of leather which projects quality. There is a reason high quality and expensive items like purses are made out of leather.
 
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