I genuinely believe that those who choose to go without a case for their iPhone belong to an entirely different universe than I do. Although I don’t frequently drop mine, I can’t recall a year in which I didn’t accidentally knock it against something at least once.
For me, a case is an essential rather than a luxury—though that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a case that looks and feels elegant.
Apple’s Shift Away from Leather
For many years, Apple offered an extensive range of leather products, including cases for the iPhone and sleeves for iPads and MacBooks. For many, including myself, adding a leather case was a natural choice when purchasing a new iPhone.
However, last year marked a shift for the company as they announced the discontinuation of leather products.
To further lessen its environmental impact, Apple is retiring leather across all product lines, encompassing iPhone accessories and Apple Watch bands.
In place of leather, Apple introduced a new material called FineWoven.
The company is replacing leather with a new textile known as FineWoven, a stylish and durable twill made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. FineWoven boasts a subtle sheen and a soft, suede-like texture, available on MagSafe cases for iPhones, wallets, and various Apple Watch bands like the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle.
The outcome of this decision has been widely discussed.
Perhaps Apple could have sought advice from WaveCase. I tried one of their wheat straw cases, and I found it surprisingly effective at mimicking leather while showing minimal signs of wear after several weeks of use.
A Well-Intentioned Decision, But Not for Me
Traditionally, Apple products and leather have complemented each other beautifully, appealing to a target market that values both aesthetics and practicality.
While Apple’s choice to move away from leather may eventually prove wise, especially as societal attitudes shift, it still feels somewhat audacious to me. One year on, many loyal Apple users, myself included, are likely to continue opting for leather cases for the foreseeable future.
If you previously utilized Apple leather cases, I’d love to know what you’re using now. Join our poll and share your insights in the comments.
Image: 9to5Mac collages of images sourced from Otterbox and Alexander Grey on Unsplash
