Leather Cases - Patina Proud Photos

[mjpearce023]

100% agree. They want it uniformed, so if they did go with multiple tanneries, they did something to make them uniform. I think @barecases might have been on to something saying they made them really thin. That would make them all uniform to an extent.

I truly believe they didn’t change the leather, but the coating they put on top. I think they heavily treated it with protection to keep the new look as long as possible. Clearly it’s leather and can’t stay like that forever, so it doesn’t age well at all. But it was all in the name of uniformity.

So for the sake of science I decided to rip up my plum 13pro case. It had some damage to one of the corners and it was only $15 on woot so not a big loss. The leather is crazy thin! It’s like a sheet of paper. My guess would be they wanted to reduce weight because the 12 series added the bottom lip and the camera ring as well as the standard phones moving up to 6.1/6.7. They also had to add the MagSafe magnets.

 

[bmac4]

So for the sake of science I decided to rip up my plum 13pro case. It had some damage to one of the corners and it was only $15 on woot so not a big loss. The leather is crazy thin! It’s like a sheet of paper. My guess would be they wanted to reduce weight because the 12 series added the bottom lip and the camera ring as well as the standard phones moving up to 6.1/6.7. They also had to add the MagSafe magnets.

Thanks! Interesting, and yes I agree I think they wanted to save weight. I don’t know if the better leather cases from Apple were much thicker though of a sheet of leather.

So one big questions, the so called “paint” on the outside, did you find that in this or was it just the thin piece of leather? What kind of quality would you say the leather was?

 

[seaguy]

So for the sake of science I decided to rip up my plum 13pro case. It had some damage to one of the corners and it was only $15 on woot so not a big loss. The leather is crazy thin! It’s like a sheet of paper. My guess would be they wanted to reduce weight because the 12 series added the bottom lip and the camera ring as well as the standard phones moving up to 6.1/6.7. They also had to add the MagSafe magnets.

SCIENCE! 🔥🔥🔥

Bill Nye over here... lol.

 

[seaguy]

Just a little clarification about the prices displayed on the product grids on our website. So there was a small issue where the “compared at” price consists of one case + one screen protector without the bundle pricing.

In essence it was showing the price of one case vs case + screen protector.

We’ve since fixed the issue to avoid any confusion about sale vs actual price.

Any idea on the camera lip?

For the people that asked - yes. I'd love a classy and elegant leather case that also protects the camera. Love outdoor photography but I'm usually on rocky terrain or on a mountain trail where if I drop my phone there's a good chance it could crack either the lens or screen and honestly I'd prefer a cracked screen over a camera.

 

[mjpearce023]

Thanks! Interesting, and yes I agree I think they wanted to save weight. I don’t know if the better leather cases from Apple were much thicker though of a sheet of leather.

So one big questions, the so called “paint” on the outside, did you find that in this or was it just the thin piece of leather? What kind of quality would you say the leather was?

There’s a thin layer on top that’s dark purple that you can scratch off with your fingernail. I can’t say if that’s paint, dye or some sort of coating they put on it. I can’t really tell anything from taking it apart as far as leather quality, I’m definitely not a leatherologist. I was just surprised at how thin it was. Maybe I should have sent it to @ChiLLon to do the science experiment.

 

[bmac4]

There’s a thin layer on top that’s dark purple that you can scratch off with your fingernail. I can’t say if that’s paint, dye or some sort of coating they put on it. I can’t really tell anything from taking it apart as far as leather quality, I’m definitely not a leatherologist. I was just surprised at how thin it was. Maybe I should have sent it to @ChiLLon to do the science experiment.

100% @ChiLLon would know!

So was the leather underneath the dark purple a different color? That’s the stuff that is all torn up in the photo right?

 

[mjpearce023]

100% @ChiLLon would know!

So was the leather underneath the dark purple a different color? That’s the stuff that is all torn up in the photo right?

Yeah there’s a shiny coating on top that scratches off pretty easily and then a dark purple layer and then a lighter purple layer that has a suede like feel.

 

[Bare Cases]

Any idea on the camera lip?

For the people that asked - yes. I'd love a classy and elegant leather case that also protects the camera. Love outdoor photography but I'm usually on rocky terrain or on a mountain trail where if I drop my phone there's a good chance it could crack either the lens or screen and honestly I'd prefer a cracked screen over a camera.

The camera lip is sufficient for lay-on-table protection. We're keeping this case as minimal as possible, so if you need something for drop protection, you'll get better peace of mind with something built for outdoor use.

 

[bmac4]

Yeah there’s a shiny coating on top that scratches off pretty easily and then a dark purple layer and then a lighter purple layer that has a suede like feel.

Interesting, so I think my assumption was right. I think they added the shiny “paint” like coating to try and preserve the original color for longer. That’s the thin layer, then you get to the actual leather. I bet the suede like layer is for softness. Give it a bit of cushion. Just my guesses.

 

[Bare Cases]

So for the sake of science I decided to rip up my plum 13pro case. It had some damage to one of the corners and it was only $15 on woot so not a big loss. The leather is crazy thin! It’s like a sheet of paper. My guess would be they wanted to reduce weight because the 12 series added the bottom lip and the camera ring as well as the standard phones moving up to 6.1/6.7. They also had to add the MagSafe magnets.

Yup, the leather used for Apple's cases from the 12 series onwards is really thin. They feel similar to the leather back panels used on the LG G4 from yeeeaaars back, if anyone remembers that.

 

[bmac4]

Yup, the leather used for Apple's cases from the 12 series onwards is really thin. They feel similar to the leather back panels used on the LG G4 from yeeeaaars back, if anyone remembers that.

So then I would venture to say it would be almost impossible for anyone else to try and achieve that. Or more want to achieve that. Much different and wider fan base for the Apple leather case. A lot of people that just walked in the Apple Store and saw the case and decided to buy it. Include that with us enthusiasts here, you get a wider reach. That reach is very hard to achieve because none are in the Apple Store, so appealing to enthusiasts is what is more likely, and I assume more of your market. No need to make the case with super thin leather.

 

[Bare Cases]

Whats the price on these leather Bare cases? Based on the costs of their regular cases, it looks like it will be priced even higher than BS

Times have been tough for a lot of people, even for businesses like ours with rising costs across the board; from materials, labour, to logistics (which has tripled since we opened for business). This makes pricing a really delicate balance for us, and we honestly did our best to put as reasonable a price tag as we could on these cases.

We already have friendly relationships with tanneries since we have another brand that specialises in leather Apple Watch bands (we're talking even Barénia leather - the same used by Hermès). This allow us access to easier-to-swallow prices, and we can then pass these savings on.

 

[Bare Cases]

So then I would venture to say it would be almost impossible for anyone else to try and achieve that. Or more want to achieve that. Much different and wider fan base for the Apple leather case. A lot of people that just walked in the Apple Store and saw the case and decided to buy it. Include that with us enthusiasts here, you get a wider reach. That reach is very hard to achieve because none are in the Apple Store, so appealing to enthusiasts is what is more likely, and I assume more of your market. No need to make the case with super thin leather.

We would say incredibly difficult / cost-restrictive. Another reason why Apple decided on thinning out the leather could be due to the introduction of MagSafe with the 12 Series. These magnets are not light by any means, and they also require a thicker core structure to accommodate them. So increasing thickness of the core of the case, and using the same kind of leather from the X/11 series would mean a thicker case than prior generations - something Apple probably did not want.

Apple also did have a leather pouch-like accessory for the 12 series. The one with a cutout window for the front screen, and that accessory used leather that was far higher in quality than what they used for their case. It was literally night and day. Very possible that was the leather used on their older cases.

 

[mjpearce023]

Interesting, so I think my assumption was right. I think they added the shiny “paint” like coating to try and preserve the original color for longer. That’s the thin layer, then you get to the actual leather. I bet the suede like layer is for softness. Give it a bit of cushion. Just my guesses.

Yeah that shiny layer is what people would sand or remove with alcohol wipes to try to get the case to patina evenly. I tried with my 12mini case but I took too much off and ruined the feel of the case.

 

[ChiLLon]

Yeah there’s a shiny coating on top that scratches off pretty easily and then a dark purple layer and then a lighter purple layer that has a suede like feel.

It is difficult to see from these pictures. I can’t tell how easily and cleanly the color separated.

Put some acetone on it and gently scrape with something.

 

[bmac4]

We would say incredibly difficult / cost-restrictive. Another reason why Apple decided on thinning out the leather could be due to the introduction of MagSafe with the 12 Series. These magnets are not light by any means, and they also require a thicker core structure to accommodate them. So increasing thickness of the core of the case, and using the same kind of leather from the X/11 series would mean a thicker case than prior generations - something Apple probably did not want.

Apple also did have a leather pouch-like accessory for the 12 series. The one with a cutout window for the front screen, and that accessory used leather that was far higher in quality than what they used for their case. It was literally night and day. Very possible that was the leather used on their older cases.

Yep you’re so right! Apple is way more concerned about thinness and uniformity than long term aging of the leather and overall quality. Plus at the rate of production they are making cases, they needed a streamline process. I would assume that does not lend itself to the highest quality. For you guys quality along with as thin as you can is your game. Can be hugely appreciated.

I do remember that pouch, along with the iPad and Mac sleeves. Those were top notch leather of old. We even saw a Hermes 12 series leather case that was just amazing.

 

[bmac4]

Yeah that shiny layer is what people would sand or remove with alcohol wipes to try to get the case to patina evenly. I tried with my 12mini case but I took too much off and ruined the feel of the case.

Yeah that’s the risk you run doing that. I am just riding with me ink as normal seeing what I get after 2 years.

 

[ChiLLon]

So for the sake of science I decided to rip up my plum 13pro case. It had some damage to one of the corners and it was only $15 on woot so not a big loss. The leather is crazy thin! It’s like a sheet of paper. My guess would be they wanted to reduce weight because the 12 series added the bottom lip and the camera ring as well as the standard phones moving up to 6.1/6.7. They also had to add the MagSafe magnets.

The light purple bottom is the flesh side of the leather by the looks of it. You can see how fibrous it is. The thin layer you peeled/ripped off would be the grain, the very top of full grain leather.

It does look like full grain to be honest. You can see the pores, although they are not open by the looks of it. If it was top grain you would not see the pores. If it was corrected grain then what you tore off would not come off as clean and intact as that.

There's definitely a top coat on it though, you can see the pores are clogged.

Put a small puddle of acetone on the leather and scrape a bit and take a photo of what happened. Has to be acetone, rubbing alcohol won't work.

 

[mjpearce023]

The light purple bottom is the flesh side of the leather by the looks of it. You can see how fibrous it is. The thin layer you peeled/ripped off would be the grain, the very top of full grain leather.

It does look like full grain to be honest. You can see the pores, although they are not open by the looks of it. If it was top grain you would not see the pores. If it was corrected grain then what you tore off would not come off as clean and intact as that.

There's definitely a top coat on it though, you can see the pores are clogged.

Put a small puddle of acetone on the leather and scrape a bit and take a photo of what happened. Has to be acetone, rubbing alcohol won't work.

Ok I’ll see if my wife has some nail polish remover tonight maybe I can do some more science tomorrow 😁

 

[bmac4]

The light purple bottom is the flesh side of the leather by the looks of it. You can see how fibrous it is. The thin layer you peeled/ripped off would be the grain, the very top of full grain leather.

It does look like full grain to be honest. You can see the pores, although they are not open by the looks of it. If it was top grain you would not see the pores. If it was corrected grain then what you tore off would not come off as clean and intact as that.

There's definitely a top coat on it though, you can see the pores are clogged.

Put a small puddle of acetone on the leather and scrape a bit and take a photo of what happened. Has to be acetone, rubbing alcohol won't work.

I knew Apple wouldn’t use crap leather. The coating sucks, but the actually leather is what you would expect from Apple. All be it thin, still full grain.

 

[mjpearce023]

Yeah that’s the risk you run doing that. I am just riding with me ink as normal seeing what I get after 2 years.

My midnight I used over a year still looked good. The only reason I got forest green and plum was they were on sale on woot for $15

 

[bmac4]

My midnight I used over a year still looked good. The only reason I got forest green and plum was they were on sale on woot for $15

Yeah I have had no issues with my Ink. Still my favorite Apple leather case and the combo with the deep purple, it’s so good. Gonna be hard to get to to party with either.

I now have the Umber, and orange, but neither are as good as the ink. I have had the orange since the release of the 14 pros, and it of course has gotten the corners darken, but it doesn’t look too terrible. Just a little flashy at times for being bright.

 

[ChiLLon]

Ok I’ll see if my wife has some nail polish remover tonight maybe I can do some more science tomorrow 😁

at 14:26 you see what I mean. This way you see how much finishing it is.

 

[gagee]

We would say incredibly difficult / cost-restrictive. Another reason why Apple decided on thinning out the leather could be due to the introduction of MagSafe with the 12 Series. These magnets are not light by any means, and they also require a thicker core structure to accommodate them. So increasing thickness of the core of the case, and using the same kind of leather from the X/11 series would mean a thicker case than prior generations - something Apple probably did not want.

Apple also did have a leather pouch-like accessory for the 12 series. The one with a cutout window for the front screen, and that accessory used leather that was far higher in quality than what they used for their case. It was literally night and day. Very possible that was the leather used on their older cases.

will you be bringing out leather cases in other colours like blue?

 

[Bare Cases]

will you be bringing out leather cases in other colours like blue?

More colours are definitely in the works, and we'll be taking feedback from you guys 😉