Apple's FineWoven Cases for iPhone 15 Continue to Be Heavily Criticized

[MacRumors]

Apple's new FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 models have been heavily criticized since they were released earlier this month, with some customers and media outlets complaining about the fabric exterior being prone to scratches and stains. We recapped some of the negative feedback last week, and complaints have continued to surface.

In a 512 Pixels blog post on Sunday, Relay FM co-founder Stephen Hackett shared a photo of his FineWoven case with a misaligned USB-C port cutout, resulting in the pentalobe screw on the right side of the USB-C port being partially exposed.

"It's one thing for these cases to be a letdown in terms of material, but this is a level of sloppiness that genuinely surprises me from Apple," he wrote. "I know not every example out there is as bad as mine, but the vibes around this case aren't good."

Photo: Stephen Hackett​

On social media, some users claimed that the USB-C cutout only appears to be misaligned because of the angle that the photo was taken at, but other users responded with straight-on photos of the FineWoven case with the same issue. Not all of the cases have this issue, but multiple customers appear to be affected.

In addition, Parker Ortolani and MacRumors editor Hartley Charlton shared photos of FineWoven cases with visible damage on display at Apple Stores. An anonymous, alleged Apple Store employee mentioned likewise in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1705377239850951047

Apple describes FineWoven as a "durable micro-twill" material made from 68% post-consumer recycled polyester, and said the material has a significantly lower carbon footprint than leather. Earlier this month, Apple announced that it would no longer use leather in any new products or accessories, as part of its environmental responsibility efforts.

It's hard to measure exactly how much negative feedback there is for the new FineWoven cases, but the material certainly appears to be proving quite unpopular so far. We've reached out to Apple for comment, and we'll update this story if we hear back.

Article Link: Apple's FineWoven Cases for iPhone 15 Continue to Be Heavily Criticized

 

[alexandr]

I know I'm being subjective — but this is not a great  year...

 

[spercharged69]

FineWoven is le epic fail.

 

[outlawarth]

This must be the biggest piece of hot garbage that Apple has yet released. I would be really interested in knowing what the thought process was here.

 

[_Refurbished_]

I’m kinda surprised they’re not pulling them off the shelves and reimagining something else.

 

[jonnysods]

Did their product development team not just grab one of the test units and scratch it with a fingernail or set of keys?

 

[faythebest]

I am loving mine

 

[bookcase]

Of course they show damage on those cases -- they have people running their fingernails up and down them. That is not normal usage. Perhaps my opinion is unpopular, but I have had the case since Friday and haven't had any issues, and my cutout is spot on. This is the second article talking about how many people hate the cases, with no mention of positive feedback.

 

[vegetassj4]

CaseGate? FineWovenGate? FineGate?

 

[jclardy]

I returned mine. I liked the color, and was even fine with it seeming to wear poorly...but the case made a "whoosh" sound as I put it into my pocket, every single time (The sound that nylon pants make when you walk). In jeans. So no thanks, I'll just buy a normal case for half the price.

 

[Minuteman3]

I returned mine the day after it arrived. Yuck!! Terrible feel in my hand, and the look was simply "blah".

Of course replacing leather as the more expensive choice allows them to feel better about their environmental impact (although, I've never heard of a cow being slaughtered simply for it's skin ... making their "impact" even less than zero!!)

Ken

 

[contacos]

Just leaving this here:

 

[jmantn]

This guy has been featured in the past I believe on MacRumors and he’s independent and not sponsored.

His review of Fine Woven like many of his reviews really shows you if something is worth the price.

Edit: This guy has been around for over ten years and frequently does drop tests in different cases to show real world results.

I don’t always go with his top picks but I do always stay away from the bad products he identifies.

 

[seek3r]

This is impressively terrible, did Apple do *any* form of market research before releasing finewoven accessories?

 

[a.jfred]

It's very ... pet-able. That's about the only positive thing I have to say about it.

Darn near dropped my phone picking it up off the MagSafe charger because it's so darn slippery.

 

[Minato1990]

Yup screw all that.
I want my dead animals soul in my cases.
Like now look the product is trash. Apple going PETA isn't it.

 

[Tagbert]

I checked out the cases in the Apple Store. Fine Woven resembles UltraSuede in that it is a fine grain woven surface. It's a feels OK but nothing particularly appealing. The surface does not feel durable. No one had done the fingernail test on the cases on display.

 

[CheesePuff]

I guess I'll go against the grain here, I have a FineWoven blue case for my 15 Pro Max and don't mind it at all - feels nice, especially the sides, and no alignment issues. I prefer the look of leather on the back instead of FineWoven but not a huge deal. Guess it'll depend on how it stains.

 

[docbop]

Apple's new FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 models have been heavily criticized since they were released earlier this month, with some customers and media outlets complaining about the fabric exterior being prone to scratches and stains. We recapped some of the negative feedback last week, and complaints have continued to surface.

In a 512 Pixels blog post on Sunday, Relay FM co-founder Stephen Hackett shared a photo of his FineWoven case with a misaligned USB-C port cutout, resulting in the pentalobe screw on the right side of the USB-C port being partially exposed.

"It's one thing for these cases to be a letdown in terms of material, but this is a level of sloppiness that genuinely surprises me from Apple," he wrote. "I know not every example out there is as bad as mine, but the vibes around this case aren't good."

Photo: Stephen Hackett​

On social media, some users claimed that the USB-C cutout only appears to be misaligned because of the angle that the photo was taken at, but other users responded with straight-on photos of the FineWoven case with the same issue. Not all of the cases have this issue, but multiple customers appear to be affected.

In addition, Parker Ortolani and MacRumors editor Hartley Charlton shared photos of FineWoven cases with visible damage on display at Apple Stores. An anonymous, alleged Apple Store employee mentioned likewise in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1705377239850951047

It's hard to measure exactly how much negative feedback there is for the new FineWoven cases, but the material certainly appears to be proving quite unpopular so far. We've reached out to Apple for comment, and we'll update this story if we hear back.

Article Link: Apple's FineWoven Cases for iPhone 15 Continue to Be Heavily Criticized

I think where Apple screwed up real bad was saying this was the replacement for leather, if they had just said,,, we are no longer making real leather products, it would of been better. Then release fine woven as a new material on its own and let it fail on it's own.

 

[sziehr]

we mock them for the wheels on the pro, they at least do there job, this case is so trash it should never have left the factory with there logo on it

 

[HailstormX]

I don't mine the change. I wish the price was in the 30-40 range. I always purchased the leather ones mainly because the buttons felt like the ones on the phone and the case wasn't bulky or too grippy like the silicone ones.

 

[AndrewR23]

I actually like mine but Ive had one now with very wobbly buttons and my next one has a severe misalignment on the bottom. Im not going for a third nor should I have too.

 

[Motawa]

 

[Tagbert]

I think where Apple screwed up real bad was saying this was the replacement for leather, if they had just said,,, we are no longer making real leather products, it would of been better. Then release fine woven as a new material on its own and let it fail on it's own.

That and they priced it like the leather cases but it doesn't feel like high quality.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Back to third party leather for me then.