Exactly! I’ve owned iPhones and iPads since the originals, and never once been convinced to buy an Apple case of any kind. Always seemed overpriced compared to the plethora of choices available.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Not-So-FineWoven iPhone Case 'Browning Like a Rotten Banana'
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have to question how the individuals with the really worn cases are using their devices, in what environments are they using it, and how well they take care of their electronics in general. Here is my 4 month update and it looks nowhere near as bad as the first picture in the OP:
Yes, there is some minor wear, but that is to be expected with any case.
Yes, there is some minor wear, but that is to be expected with any case.
My brown case has been good since September. I had so many cheaper cases for iPods, and my last phone, an iPhone 7 that eventually fell apart. A couple years ago, I got a proper Apple leather case for it, and presumed it worked fine. After replacing the phone with the 15P however, I realized the leather was stretching in places, and was also on its last legs. Will I get a couple years out of the finewoven like I did the leather? Likely.
There was an Apple ad where a woman dropped her iPhone while crossing a street. Would it break on the pavement? no! At the last moment, it cleverly landed on soft soil rather than concrete. Saved by an angel, or a lawyer.
Edit - found the ad:
Nope i drop it to much and then having to replace it and then sign in to everything again after getting a new phone.....No Thanks
FineWoven case owner from day 1 (taupe). After 5 months there are signs of wear. But the leather cases also showed similar signs of wear after the same period. Mine is not yellowing like the article states, but my case is a different color. So in summary:
Do I like my FineWoven case? Yes
Did I like the leather case better? Yes
Do I wish Apple still made leather cases? Yes
Would I purchase FineWoven case again? Yes
Do I like my FineWoven case? Yes
Did I like the leather case better? Yes
Do I wish Apple still made leather cases? Yes
Would I purchase FineWoven case again? Yes
I’m guessing that Apple chose the type of fabric they did for the cases, as they wanted it to look similar to the fabric that Louis Vuitton uses (coated fabric), but I would have thought that a good option would have been to use an alcantara-like micro-suede product for their cases. Sure, they would have shown scratches, and attract dirt and oil, but they could be cleaned, just like automotive fabrics can. And just like most automotive fabrics, they can be wrapped around tight radius opening without adding significant thickness. Years ago, I made iPhone wraps using old jeans and leather jacket leather. The jeans versions were really interesting BECAUSE they showed wear and tear.
I guess I'm alone in my experience and opinion. I've had my blue fine woven case since the day that the iPhone 15 Pro Max was released and I've liked it ever since. I like the tactile sensation of the edges. I like the feel of the fine woven back. I have no scratches, no stains, no discoloring. It seems to be working perfectly. I would prefer a leather case, but have no complaints with this alternative.
So-called "vegan leather" is total garbage, no matter the product. This includes phone cases, vegan leather bags and travel cases, jackets, shoes, clothes. They quickly break down and degrade, and they smell absolutely awful. To be avoided at all costs.
I have used the leather case since it came out, buying new ones with each new phone. I checked out the wine woven alternative, but it reminded me of similar materials on iPad cases and similar, and I imagined it might not age well. So this is the first time since early iPhone days that I’m going caseless. And, I much prefer it! I’m glad Apple made this choice as I get a more pocketable phone, and don’t waste money on case.
this headline!!! lmaooo bravo MacRumors. this is my favorite probably ever.
with that being said… I would never ever buy FineWoven. yikes Apple.
with that being said… I would never ever buy FineWoven. yikes Apple.
Are their magnets as good as Apple cases? I love using a magsafe dash mount and I had to return the bullstrap leather case as my iphone kept falling off when I went over road bumps. I haven't found a 3rd party case that has the magnet quality as Apple.
When I bought my iPhone 15 Pro Max, 3rd party resellers increased the price of the leather cases. You know your new case is bad when 3rd party resellers are making bank on the previous version.
I did end up paying extra money for the previous leather wallet case, but it was worth it. It still looks like new.
I did end up paying extra money for the previous leather wallet case, but it was worth it. It still looks like new.
I genuinely don't understand this. Unless the planet goes all vegetarian, there will always be leather available. So what's the deal?
What Louis Vuitton product looks even remotely like the FineWoven cases?
Eight pages of posts in this thread, and only one “it wrong” joke (page 1). C’mon folks, step up and make us laugh uncontrollably with more of these examples of brilliant hilarity!
I find it a shame that Apple is not selling a leather option anymore. There is something special about the natural patina of a genuine leather Apple iPhone case that simply exudes class. In my opinion, an iPhone (any iPhone) deserves a nice leather option in lieu of the new fine woven. I feel, the wear and tear on the fine woven case just looks ratty and trashy with zero elegance factor. Mercedes and BMW alike still offer standard leather steering wheels on most models and optional leather seating options in their vehicles. Consumers still want luxury, especially for parts of the car the customer touches. An iPhone sporting a leather case just feels better in the hand to some. Apple should take note. I bet Tim Cook's BMW has a leather steering wheel. Ponder that!
Apple's $59 FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 took heavy flak when they were released last September for being subpar compared to the leather Apple cases they replaced. Now, The Wall Street Journal columnist Joanna Stern has distilled customers' ire by sharing her own experience with the case after five months of use.
Image credit: Joanna Stern
From Stern's newsletter:
An Apple support document offers advice about cleaning its FineWoven cases, but the section's small print admits that "The material may look different and show wear over time as the fibers get compressed with normal use" and that "some scratches may diminish over time."
Responding to Stern's five-month review, Daring Fireball's John Gruber created identical polls across multiple social media platforms asking FineWoven case owners for their opinion, and respondents appear to have overwhelmingly voted in agreement that "It's a piece of junk."
Despite the continued bad publicity almost six months on from the cases' debut, Apple still appears unwilling to admit that its leather alternative material is a letdown. But in the court of public opinion, all the evidence suggests this is an open and shut case: FineWoven is just bad.
Article Link: Not-So-FineWoven iPhone Case 'Browning Like a Rotten Banana'
