Apple Reportedly Stops Production of FineWoven Accessories

[MacRumors]

Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple has stopped production of FineWoven accessories due to its poor durability. The company may move to another non-leather material for its premium accessories in the future.

Kosutami has revealed accurate information about FineWoven accessories in the past. The leaker unveiled Apple's plans to introduce new Apple Watch bands made of a "woven fabric material" over a month before they debuted, as well as matching iPhone cases. Kosutami also revealed the very first images of FineWoven accessories shortly before the event in which they were officially announced. MacRumors understands the source of this latest information regarding the cessation of production to be the same as these previous FineWoven rumors that were ultimately accurate, so it should be taken seriously until we know more.

Apple stopped selling leather accessories in September last year, replacing them with a more environmentally friendly "FineWoven" material that the company describes as "luxurious and durable microtwill" made from 68% post-consumer recycled polyester. FineWoven iPhone cases are priced at $59, MagSafe Wallets at $59, AirTag holders at $35, and Apple Watch bands at $99.

Accessories made of the material have been very poorly received by customers, citing poor durability and disappointing quality. FineWoven accessories in new color options were noticeably absent from Apple's spring refresh. If Apple has indeed stopped production of FineWoven accessories, it may be some time before the company's existing stock inventory begins to noticeably deplete.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Stops Production of FineWoven Accessories

 

[sniffies]

Finally, FineWoven is joining butterfly keyboards in the trash bin.

 

[kjvmartin]

Probably the only Apple product I've ever opened and very quickly returned in my 20+ years of owning Apple products.

 

[boswald]

Good news for some, bad for others. I never got the chance to mess around with them.

 

[ttyRazor]

About as bad as those iPod nanos that got scratched effortlessly.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Good. They are straight garbage and nothing but a huge money grab

 

[oofio2461]

Good riddance.

 

[sunapple]

That would be wild for Apple standards. But writing has been on the wall since initial reviews.

Now what do you replace this with when you have little time to act but want to improve on quality? Off-the-shelf vegan leather?

 

[mdnz]

Still don't get it why people don't just buy a $10 cover from a third party that lasts the entire lifespan of the phone. Is the Apple logo on the back of the case that important?

 

[adamw]

The death of FineWoven is inevitable. Leather or another material will likely be introduced.

 

[benedetti]

So no more use for compressed toilet paper fabric, hmm…🤔

 

[macmyworld]

Geez Apple. How about using leather? Oops, forgot that worked too well and you dumped it.

 

[dz5b609]

Still don't get it why people don't just buy a $10 cover from a third party that lasts the entire lifespan of the phone. Is the Apple logo on the back of the case that important?

entire lifespan? No matter which cover I buy I have to change it every year just from pretty normal wear and tear from getting it in and out of my jeans and if you're talking about the plastic clear cases you have to change those every year because they get yellow (again no matter the brand).

 

[mdnz]

entire lifespan? No matter which cover I buy I have to change it every year just from pretty normal wear and tear from getting it in and out of my jeans.

My Spigen one for my iPhone 11 Pro lasted 3 years before I got my 15 Pro, do you chew on them?

 

[kerr]

Very happy with my Apple silicone MagSafe case

 

[555gallardo]

Should’ve just used regular vegan fabric / faux leather instead. No reason to wear our tools in murdered organisms, we as a species are already far ahead of Stone Age. Or at least I hope so.

 

[russell_314]

I think fake leather cases would’ve been fine if they were sold appropriately priced. Maybe $20. The problem is Apple sold them for the same price real leather cases go for. Apple is great about making a profit, but I think consumers saw right through this

 

[scrapesleon]

I can’t believe they waited all the way till April to cancel that failed product but better late than never

 

[CausticSoda]

Great news! Please bring back the leather.

 

[aevan]

Mine still looks and feels great after regular pocket and desk use. Not sure what others are doing to theirs.

 

[Gengar]

They could’ve just went to vegan leather like a lot of other luxury brands have done (like Telfar, for example).

 

[Kalzem]

Great news! Please bring back the leather.

It's too expensive for them. I'm ready to bet the next model will be plastic based for maximum profit.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

So whats the environmental impact of all these returns/defects/excess inventory no one wants vs had they stuck with leather?

 

[Bustycat]

Not the truth. It's claimed to be the revolutionary material that can replace leather.

Apple Says 'Goodbye Leather' in New iPhone Ad Following Controversial Switch to 'FineWoven' Material

Apple today shared a new iPhone ad called "Goodbye Leather" on its YouTube channel in the U.K., months after the company controversially...

www.macrumors.com

 

[russell_314]

Great news! Please bring back the leather.

Not going to happen because that would be much more expensive, and it would even be more embarrassing than Apple quietly discontinuing a product.

Also, I wonder what the environmental impact differences between natural leather and whatever plastic Apple used when it comes to manufacturing these cases and their end of life at a landfill. I suspect natural leather would be much more environmentally friendly. I wonder if the plastic Apple used isn’t so bad because they designed it to deteriorate rather than around forever. That could be causing the durability issue, but that’s just speculation on my part. These cases might be just as bad as other plastic items.