Apple's Leather-Alternative iPhone 15 Cases Said to Have Different Texture

[CodeSpyder]

I wonder about the heat transfer.

 

[Thymio]

That looks like some kind of alcantara to me ie synthetic suede. If this is true then it should be a really nice material. I hope they also make a couple shades of grey. Grey suede looks very nice.
I’ve been looking for a suede or alcantara case for a long time but out of the very few options available I couldn’t find anything tastefully made.

 

[Rkuda]

How so? this are the only cases I use I personally have never had a problem. Other then wear and patina which is expected with leather, I'm just curious what problems others encounter?

I think the issue is they don't really patina anymore, the surface is painted (essentially a plastic coating on top) rather than being dyed and what little actual leather is there is so thin it tears and becomes damaged easily.

Here is a particularly bad case:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/leather-cases-patina-proud-photos.2091430/page-540?post=32390321#post-32390321

 

[crawfish963]

I don’t understand why people care if vegan leather is plastic or not. What matters is that it feels, lasts and looks just as leather — but without cruelty in the process.

I was waiting for the day Apple would go vegan with its leather case and here it is 🌱

They already did a few years ago. I quit buying them because they fall apart in a month or so.

This message typed over a ribeye steak.

 

[Sowelu]

Whatever is pictured looks like felt or faux suede. Not appealing to my eyes. Perhaps the shipping product will be nicer, if true.

 

[fatTribble]

You made a few valid points. Let me share some additional info:

• there's also a lot of leather production that doesn't originate from beef production by-products
• veganism is more about harm reduction than absolutism... meaning if there's a less harmful alternative, we should choose it... even though there's no perfect answer, it doesn't mean we shouldn't try to do better

Yes! I’ve heard so many discussions mostly from family members about why we can’t do something differently because it’s not an absolutely perfect solution. It’s a cliche but I always liked the expression “Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good”

 

[crawfish963]

And 100% fewer dead animals. Not a selling point for me specifically, but definitely one for a good chunk of customers

I have terrible news for you. The cows are still being killed so we can eat them. The hide is just going to waste. I’m sorry to tell you this.

 

[ThailandToo]

I'll just give you the first Google result, since you seem incapable of doing any research to overcome your ignorance.. WebMD

What Is Vegan Leather?​

Vegan leather is artificial, synthetic, or “faux” leather made from agricultural waste products and sustainable biomaterials. It can also be made from polymers like polyurethane and other recyclable materials. Vegan leather is an alternative to animal leather and is made without using any animal products. It's environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and animal-cruelty-free.

What Is Vegan Leather Made of?​

Raw materials for vegan leather usually come from agricultural waste sources. Some of the materials most commonly used to manufacture vegan leather are: Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Synthetic leather is made using recycled plastic materials like polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Many people choose to avoid this kind of vegan leather, as its manufacture contributes to the depletion of fossil fuels. Cork. Cork is a great alternative to plastics and animal skin for making vegan leather. Manufacturers can even get it from corkwood trees without damaging the trees. Cactus. Cactus is another innovative animal-skin replacement used to make vegan leather. Kombucha cellulose or SCOBY.Kombucha, or kelp tea, is a fermented sweet drink made using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, also called a SCOBY. The bacteria and yeast share nutrients and ferment the tea. Over time, they multiply and form a mass of cellulose, called a “mother.” The mother floats on top of the liquid and takes the shape of the container. Within a few weeks, it grows as much as 10 millimeters thick. The mass of cellulose is harvested to make new batches of kombucha. However, it can also be used to make fully biodegradable leather. After harvesting the mother, manufacturers wash, oil, and air-dry it to obtain a flexible, leathery sheet. They then cut the material in strips and stitch, glue, or mold it into new shapes. Mushroom.Mushrooms grow through a network of threads called mycelium. Manufacturers use it to make vegan leather. The mycelium grows within a few weeks and can be easily processed using mild acid, alcohol, and vegetable dyes to modify it. The material is then compressed, dried, and textured for use. Mushroom or mycelium leather closely resembles animal leather in appearance and strength. Pineapple. Pineapple leather or Pinatex is vegan leather made using natural pineapple leaf fibers, petroleum resin, and thermoplastic polyester. Yeast collagen. Biofabricated vegan leather can be made using the skin protein collagen obtained from yeast in a laboratory. Silicone. Silicone leather is made from refined silicone material. It is similar to plastic-based materials, but more eco-friendly and durable. Bacterial cellulose and agricultural waste. Similar to SCOBY, bacterial cellulose can also be harvested, dried, and used to make vegan leather. Agricultural waste like maple leaf pulp, apple peels, and fruit pulp can be good sources of bacterial cellulose.

I'll just give you the first Google result, since you seem incapable of doing any research to overcome your ignorance.. WebMD

What Is Vegan Leather?​

Vegan leather is artificial, synthetic, or “faux” leather made from agricultural waste products and sustainable biomaterials. It can also be made from polymers like polyurethane and other recyclable materials. Vegan leather is an alternative to animal leather and is made without using any animal products. It's environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and animal-cruelty-free.

What Is Vegan Leather Made of?​

Raw materials for vegan leather usually come from agricultural waste sources. Some of the materials most commonly used to manufacture vegan leather are: Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Synthetic leather is made using recycled plastic materials like polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Many people choose to avoid this kind of vegan leather, as its manufacture contributes to the depletion of fossil fuels. Cork. Cork is a great alternative to plastics and animal skin for making vegan leather. Manufacturers can even get it from corkwood trees without damaging the trees. Cactus. Cactus is another innovative animal-skin replacement used to make vegan leather. Kombucha cellulose or SCOBY.Kombucha, or kelp tea, is a fermented sweet drink made using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, also called a SCOBY. The bacteria and yeast share nutrients and ferment the tea. Over time, they multiply and form a mass of cellulose, called a “mother.” The mother floats on top of the liquid and takes the shape of the container. Within a few weeks, it grows as much as 10 millimeters thick. The mass of cellulose is harvested to make new batches of kombucha. However, it can also be used to make fully biodegradable leather. After harvesting the mother, manufacturers wash, oil, and air-dry it to obtain a flexible, leathery sheet. They then cut the material in strips and stitch, glue, or mold it into new shapes. Mushroom.Mushrooms grow through a network of threads called mycelium. Manufacturers use it to make vegan leather. The mycelium grows within a few weeks and can be easily processed using mild acid, alcohol, and vegetable dyes to modify it. The material is then compressed, dried, and textured for use. Mushroom or mycelium leather closely resembles animal leather in appearance and strength. Pineapple. Pineapple leather or Pinatex is vegan leather made using natural pineapple leaf fibers, petroleum resin, and thermoplastic polyester. Yeast collagen. Biofabricated vegan leather can be made using the skin protein collagen obtained from yeast in a laboratory. Silicone. Silicone leather is made from refined silicone material. It is similar to plastic-based materials, but more eco-friendly and durable. Bacterial cellulose and agricultural waste. Similar to SCOBY, bacterial cellulose can also be harvested, dried, and used to make vegan leather. Agricultural waste like maple leaf pulp, apple peels, and fruit pulp can be good sources of bacterial cellulose.

 

[tennisproha]

“vegan” leather is most often plastic. As long as we eat burgers there will be leather available. I’d rather use the spare cow hides for leather rather than letting them go to waste

 

[k1121j]

I think the issue is they don't really patina anymore, the surface is painted (essentially a plastic coating on top) rather than being dyed and what little actual leather is there is so thin it tears and becomes damaged easily.

Here is a particularly bad case:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/leather-cases-patina-proud-photos.2091430/page-540?post=32390321#post-32390321

I agree with you on that one I noticed it but never really thought about it being painted.

 

[tennisproha]

And 100% fewer dead animals. Not a selling point for me specifically, but definitely one for a good chunk of customers

animals are killed for meat, not hide. their hide is always a waste product that’s repurposed into leather. so this will have zero impact on animal deaths.

only way to have 100% fewer dead animals is to stop eating meat.

 

[Minato1990]

Nah man
**** that vegan ****
I need the soul of an animal on my iPhone case
I’ll just have to go buy myself a fur coat

 

[tennisproha]

I don’t understand why people care if vegan leather is plastic or not. What matters is that it feels, lasts and looks just as leather — but without cruelty in the process.

I was waiting for the day Apple would go vegan with its leather case and here it is 🌱

animals are killed for meat, not hide. their hide is always a waste product that’s repurposed into leather. so this will have zero impact on animal deaths.

only way to have 100% fewer dead animals is to stop eating meat.

 

[dysamoria]

I don’t understand why people care if vegan leather is plastic or not. What matters is that it feels, lasts and looks just as leather — but without cruelty in the process.

I was waiting for the day Apple would go vegan with its leather case and here it is 🌱

It’s not necessary to use plastic. My vegan boots are plant-based materials as most new vegan versions today now are.

Also, why do they care about plastic? People who care about the environment tend to care about the use of plastic. Plastic is a disaster material. It’s a constant waste of petroleum and landfill space. It’s everywhere, in everything, including in your body. It’s almost never getting recycled. It has some beneficial uses, but most uses of plastic are for higher profit margins, not necessity.

 

[jyw104]

I'm not biting until they sell one made with rich Corinthian Leather.

 

[dysamoria]

animals are killed for meat, not hide. their hide is always a waste product that’s repurposed into leather. so this will have zero impact on animal deaths.

only way to have 100% fewer dead animals is to stop eating meat.

You think reducing the profitability of meat industry waste product would have no impact?

 

[SactoGuy18]

I would get this case if it weren't for the US$49 price. 💸😒

 

[RBelize]

You think reducing the profitability of meat industry waste product would have no impact?

Why on earth would I want the cattle industry to lose profitability? I love steak, and so do billions of other people. You miserable people are trying to kill the livelihood of millions of people and it’s sick.

 

[dysamoria]

Why on earth would I want the cattle industry to lose profitability? I love steak, and so do billions of other people. You miserable people are trying to kill the livelihood of millions of people and it’s sick.

Wasn’t talking to you.

 

[nathansz]

animals are killed for meat, not hide. their hide is always a waste product that’s repurposed into leather. so this will have zero impact on animal deaths.

only way to have 100% fewer dead animals is to stop eating meat.

That is just completely incorrect

Animals are often killed for their skin/fur and then the some of the animal is possible eaten or wasted

 

[nathansz]

Why on earth would I want the cattle industry to lose profitability? I love steak, and so do billions of other people. You miserable people are trying to kill the livelihood of millions of people and it’s sick.

I’d say killing the actual lives of millions of animals is much sicker

 

[120FPS]

That is just completely incorrect

Animals are often killed for their skin/fur and then the some of the animal is possible eaten or wasted

Unless it’s for fur in particular I don’t think we waste any of the animal, probably even then the meat is used in pet food. Same for pigs, we use all of it.

 

[Rkuda]

Why on earth would I want the cattle industry to lose profitability? I love steak, and so do billions of other people. You miserable people are trying to kill the livelihood of millions of people and it’s sick.

They are literally so ideologically driven they would gladly destroy both the leather industry and meat industry, take away the livelihood of people in those industries and remove the choice for everyone who wants to eat or use those products. All so they can pollute the world with their plastic "sustainable" products that will fall apart and end up in landfills.

But remember veganism isn't about absolutism....it's about "harm reduction".

SMDH

 

[v0lume4]

"Vegan leather" is plastic. It's pleather with better marketing.

Don’t kill cows. Drill oil instead (plastic comes from petroleum). Stonks.

 

[v0lume4]

Apple trying to get those ESG points.

Edit - Alternatively, watch them sell cheap pleather cases for the same price as real leather ones. Money money money!