sentiment : Apple made a noted push for sustainability with the launch of the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 , using more recycled material and wrench certain products carbon indifferent .
Part of the push was bump off any leather from the accessory line - up , ditch the often praised leather iPhone case and Watch set in the process .
In post of leather , Apple launch a line of cases and shoulder strap made from a cloth it calls ‘ Finewoven ‘ . Apple describes this Finewoven cloth as being made from durable micro - twill weave , with a “ soft , suede leather - like feel ” . It also note that it is made from 68 % consumer recycled message .
It all go very positive . However , when these £ 59/$59 FinewovenPhone 15 Procases shoot shelf , a bevy of criticism started to arrive slurred and fast . Images of itch - up cases inApple Stores littered Threadsand theiPhone 15 Pro Maxversion of the case currently has an ordinary valuation of 2.8/5 onAmazon UK . A far cry from the mostly praised eminent - ending leather sheath that Apple used to betray .
I ’ve been using one of these derided case for the past twosome of weeks , and now seems like a unspoilt prison term to give an update on how it ’s holding up .
Is the Finewoven case really that bad?
First things first , I do intend it ’s a whole tone backwards in terms of the overall excogitation .
The leather caseful were seamless single piece , whereas the Finewoven cases have multiple parts that give a much cheap feel . The back is softer to the touch while the sides are made from a sturdier impression textile that has more of a gristly conclusion . The buttons are still made of metal though , giving them a reassuring click .
While Apple call the destination ‘ suede - like ’ , I would say it feels more like a car seatbelt . It feels nice in the hand , but the gristly sides add only a trivial extra hairgrip . It does n’t find anywhere as overnice as the leather case , but I have no scruple with the feel and I also have no issues with how the case is holding up .
I ’ve been slipping it in and out of my scoop , place it in a bag and trying to treat it as I would have done with the leather cases and it still look all right a few weeks on . The fact I have the darkest color option probably helps , as I am sure the light hues will show marks a lot more .
I used Apple ’s leather cases for twelvemonth , and while they had many admirers I was never fully a fan . you’re able to see a exposure below of how a green vitrine for theiPhone 14 Pro Maxlooked after a year of function – barely ageing well , the colouring has mostly rubbed off , leaving unsightly black splodges everywhere ( in spades not the aged leather look that ’s so popular ) . What the young Finewoven case look like a class on , of course , continue to be catch . I ’d be surprised if it looked quite as big , though .
The Finewoven choice is an expensive example , and in some means it ’s a downgrade over what was available before . The images of scratched cases are far from electropositive and the design is nowhere near as insurance premium as the leather options sold previously . Yet , it still fits well than any other example I have prove for the iPhone 15 Pro and gives the best access to the Action Button . It ’s far from the best subject Apple has ever produced , but it ’s far from bad event you may get your helping hand on – even at its price point .