Leather Cases - Patina Proud Photos

[ChiLLon]

I hear you. I still look at my saddle brown case from my XS sometimes. I was so upset when i realized the case was different on my 12. Sad days!

I used bullstrap on my last phone for the open bottom.

Not going back to Bullstrap then?

 

[Lotuskid]

Just got the decoded case in. I think I like it best from the ones I tried but not exactly as as soft as apples. The feel of it isn’t much different than Mujjo case with the mujjo having a more tumbled leather look.

The buttons are centered along the frame, the metal camera frame is a nice touch and the branding is minimal imo

Overall pretty solid but I’m kind of leaning towards returning and sticking with finewoven for the year

I got the brown case can post pics if anyone is interested with my natural titanium max

 

[Lotuskid]

Duplicate

 

[TotalMacMove]

Not going back to Bullstrap then?

I might once I see reviews of other options since the bullstrap is pre order only. I go caseless primarily so i’m in no rush!

 

[VSMacOne]

Just got the decoded case in. I think I like it best from the ones I tried but not exactly as as soft as apples. The feel of it isn’t much different than Mujjo case with the mujjo having a more tumbled leather look.

The buttons are centered along the frame, the metal camera frame is a nice touch and the branding is minimal imo

Overall pretty solid but I’m kind of leaning towards returning and sticking with finewoven for the year

I got the brown case can post pics if anyone is interested with my natural titanium max

I’d like to see the pics. I’m considering the brown one as a last chance for a leather case before committing to the Apple silicone for the long run.

 

[noiceT]

Ya'll need to check out Saddleback. Only for the most serious leather users. Waiting patiently for them to drop the 15 case. How's that front view! 😂🤣🤣

Boot Leather iPhone 14 Case

The ONLY solid leather iPhone case we know of for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. You'll quickly understand why many consider this a piece of functional art.

saddlebackleather.com

In all fairness though, the patina is nice lol

 

[Lotuskid]

I’d like to see the pics. I’m considering the brown one as a last chance for a leather case before committing to the Apple silicone for the long run.

Took some pics with my Sony cam since my phone is in the case

My thoughts: Cutouts on the bottom are perfect. The buttons seem aluminum and stick out further than apples cases, and are a little sharper, not as clicky. The leather feels smooth and not tacky or soft. Website says it’s full grain aniline leather so should patina.

Overall I like it but imo it’s still not 100% as much as the apple versions. My wife just bought a new apple midnight leather case for her 14 pro max and the little attention to details make it clearly a bit better

 

[gagee]

Took some pics with my Sony cam since my phone is in the case

My thoughts: Cutouts on the bottom are perfect. The buttons seem aluminum and stick out further than apples cases, and are a little sharper, not as clicky. The leather feels smooth and not tacky or soft. Website says it’s full grain aniline leather so should patina.

Overall I like it but imo it’s still not 100% as much as the apple versions. My wife just bought a new apple midnight leather case for her 14 pro max and the little attention to details make it clearly a bit better

Do you think you will be keeping the Decoded case or go with another brand?

 

[Lotuskid]

Do you think you will be keeping the Decoded case or go with another brand?

I’ve tried mujjo, Lonli edition, and now decoded. It’s the best of the three for sure and I think I’m beginning to get decision fatigue lol I don’t wanna keep trying and returning cases.

I’ve only had it for a few hours so I think I’ll give it a few days to try.

Overall I like it minus a few nitpicks but unsure at the moment lol. For years I’ve used one leather case and a cheaper tpu/silicone case as a second option. This year it’s either finewoven (which I’m not as down on as others) or this decoded for me, and I’m waiting for peak design to update their everyday case as the second option

 

[VSMacOne]

Took some pics with my Sony cam since my phone is in the case

My thoughts: Cutouts on the bottom are perfect. The buttons seem aluminum and stick out further than apples cases, and are a little sharper, not as clicky. The leather feels smooth and not tacky or soft. Website says it’s full grain aniline leather so should patina.

Overall I like it but imo it’s still not 100% as much as the apple versions. My wife just bought a new apple midnight leather case for her 14 pro max and the little attention to details make it clearly a bit better

Fantastic shots. Thanks so much. I think I’ll give this brown one a try. I think it looks good on the natural Titanium.
I’ve said it before, Apple’s leather cases were my favorite and so far nothing has come close to them.

Quick q: how does the lip around the screen compare to the 14 apple leather? Is it taller or about the same?

 

[gagee]

I’ve tried mujjo, Lonli edition, and now decoded. It’s the best of the three for sure and I think I’m beginning to get decision fatigue lol I don’t wanna keep trying and returning cases.

I’ve only had it for a few hours so I think I’ll give it a few days to try.

Overall I like it minus a few nitpicks but unsure at the moment lol. For years I’ve used one leather case and a cheaper tpu/silicone case as a second option. This year it’s either finewoven (which I’m not as down on as others) or this decoded for me, and I’m waiting for peak design to update their everyday case as the second option

Oh ok looking forward to hearing your final decision. I have always had the apple leather case and miss it. I bought the apple silicone case but want a leather case as I am not sure about the fine woven.

 

[Lotuskid]

Fantastic shots. Thanks so much. I think I’ll give this brown one a try. I think it looks good on the natural Titanium.
I’ve said it before, Apple’s leather cases were my favorite and so far nothing has come close to them.

Quick q: how does the lip around the screen compare to the 14 apple leather? Is it taller or about the same?

The lip is just about the same. With a screen protector installed there’s still some coverage , similar to the apple leather cases

 

[thekidat]

I’m probably in the minority but I liked the Decoded leather better than recent years of apple leather case (12 pro and up).

 

[ChiLLon]

Ya'll need to check out Saddleback. Only for the most serious leather users. Waiting patiently for them to drop the 15 case. How's that front view! 😂🤣🤣

Boot Leather iPhone 14 Case

The ONLY solid leather iPhone case we know of for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. You'll quickly understand why many consider this a piece of functional art.

saddlebackleather.com

In all fairness though, the patina is nice lol

Oh dear that’s horrendous

 

[ChiLLon]

I might once I see reviews of other options since the bullstrap is pre order only. I go caseless primarily so i’m in no rush!

I’ve been going nude past 2 phones but with the design of 15 I’m too chicken to do it. It won’t survive even a small drop.

 

[bmac4]

I think it is more so that he was used to Apple leather cases, which uses leather with some kind of special finishing. It is absolutely not unfinished "raw" leather. Then when he receives a case with such "raw" full grain leather all he can refer to is lower quality.

Apple's leather cases were great early on, but it was not top quality leather that's for sure. They still developed amazing patina so I was more than happy with them anyway.

Bullstrap’s case just doesn’t feel as good as Andar. Some of it was coming from Apple leather, but also it just didn’t seem to be same quality as other leather from other leather companies.

 

[mjpearce023]

Pro Leather Case - iPhone 15 Pro - Sand

Best iPhone 15 Pro leather case (Sand / Beige / Nude). Pro leather case works with MagSafe charging and wireless chargers due to its internal magnet-enabled design. Adds comfort, durability, protection and minimal style to your iPhone. Designed to protect your iPhone camera. Seamless mount for...

www.sandmarc.com

Saw these on 9to5mac. Has anybody heard of this brand before? Says full grain leather but I’m not really feeling the strange camera cutouts.

Edit: Found this review for the 14 and it weighed 47gs. Not trying to add that much weight. Search continues.

 

[bmac4]

As expected AliExpress coming in clutch! $8.00 + free shipping Quality on point. Looks exactly like what Apple SHOULD have made. See pics for reference. Nice fit, metal buttons for action button. Works flawlessly.

Forget trying to find a replacement leather brand that's $60+, just go to the wholesale source

Looks really good. Did you just get the black or some other colors?

 

[bmac4]

I really think that blue bonnet case might be the one. I’ll be looking out for it!

I ordered the 14 pro max version, so I will report back once it comes in. I think it might be right up there with Apple leather cases of old.

 

[ChiLLon]

Pro Leather Case - iPhone 15 Pro - Sand

Best iPhone 15 Pro leather case (Sand / Beige / Nude). Pro leather case works with MagSafe charging and wireless chargers due to its internal magnet-enabled design. Adds comfort, durability, protection and minimal style to your iPhone. Designed to protect your iPhone camera. Seamless mount for...

www.sandmarc.com

Saw these on 9to5mac. Has anybody heard of this brand before? Says full grain leather but I’m not really feeling the strange camera cutouts.

Edit: Found this review for the 14 and it weighed 47gs. Not trying to add that much weight. Search continues.

It’s not an unknown brand, it’s been around.

Their particular camera housing is to mount their own mobile phone camera attachment if I understand them correctly.

 

[ChiLLon]

I ordered the 14 pro max version, so I will report back once it comes in. I think it might be right up there with Apple leather cases of old.

I don’t think we will ever find a replica of the Apple leather cases of olden days. All high end manufacturers use as unsullied and pure leather as possible because that’s what most ask for, but the leather Apple used was not unspoiled.

We’d need to track down the exact leather partner and ask who currently employs them. Not sure if this is even possible. Could this maybe be listed in an old yearly report?

Closest I’ve ever felt to original Apple leather case is grade A calf leather used for high end dress shoes.

 

[bmac4]

I don’t think we will ever find a replica of the Apple leather cases of olden days. All high end manufacturers use as unsullied and pure leather as possible because that’s what most ask for, but the leather Apple used was not unspoiled.

We’d need to track down the exact leather partner and ask who currently employs them. Not sure if this is even possible.

I agree. It’s probably an impossible task. I don’t understand why Apple went away from the process and supplier. Literally they had the best case for the iPhone. There was no need to change.

I truly think it was because so many people complained about the patina. A large population of people that were buying the leather cases had no idea what patina on leather was, and wanted it to stay perfect like their leather purses. Apple got sick of the “fast” patina and people trying to return, so they put the “paint”/ protective coating on the leather, and we get the feels of the OG ones, but not the aging. Then no one was happy. Then Finewoven, the worst case Apple or probably any manufacturer has ever put out.

Hopefully Blue Bonnet is at least a smooth leather that has a nice finish and fit.

Have you ever attempted to fine the leather supplier of the original Apple leather cases?

 

[mjpearce023]

It’s not an unknown brand, it’s been around.

Their particular camera housing is to mount their own mobile phone camera attachment if I understand them correctly.

Yeah they some kind of lenses that attach to it. I didn’t see the weight until after I had posted it. I’d just get another aspen if I wanted something that heavy

 

[mjpearce023]

I agree. It’s probably an impossible task. I don’t understand why Apple went away from the process and supplier. Literally they had the best case for the iPhone. There was no need to change.

I truly think it was because so many people complained about the patina. A large population of people that were buying the leather cases had no idea what patina on leather was, and wanted it to stay perfect like their leather purses. Apple got sick of the “fast” patina and people trying to return, so they put the “paint”/ protective coating on the leather, and we get the feels of the OG ones, but not the aging. Then no one was happy. Then Finewoven, the worst case Apple or probably any manufacturer has ever put out.

Hopefully Blue Bonnet is at least a smooth leather that has a nice finish and fit.

Have you ever attempted to fine the leather supplier of the original Apple leather cases?

I always thought it had something do with squared sides of the 12 as to why they changed the leather. It could have also just been cost cutting. I don’t really care about finding the same leather they used as much as finding a case that’s as thin and light as the apple leather case with the same fit. I want the leather to patina of course. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the bluebonnet case.

 

[TotalMacMove]

I agree. It’s probably an impossible task. I don’t understand why Apple went away from the process and supplier. Literally they had the best case for the iPhone. There was no need to change.

I truly think it was because so many people complained about the patina. A large population of people that were buying the leather cases had no idea what patina on leather was, and wanted it to stay perfect like their leather purses. Apple got sick of the “fast” patina and people trying to return, so they put the “paint”/ protective coating on the leather, and we get the feels of the OG ones, but not the aging. Then no one was happy. Then Finewoven, the worst case Apple or probably any manufacturer has ever put out.

Hopefully Blue Bonnet is at least a smooth leather that has a nice finish and fit.

Have you ever attempted to fine the leather supplier of the original Apple leather cases?

There was a report a few years ago that specified the leather supplier for apple here on macrumors. Just a matter of finding it now..