Rumor: It was crap, Apple is ceasing the production of FineWoven accessories

Due to feedback on quality, or rather the lack thereof, Apple’s own accessories will probably be made of different materials this year.

Last fall, Apple introduced the FineWoven accessories in addition to iPhones and Apple Watches. The recycled fabric cases and straps would have offered an environmentally friendly alternative to the previous leather cases, but the testers and later the customers were not satisfied with their quality. The new material gets scratched and dirty much faster and ages worse than the previous leather cases and straps, but in addition to all this, it costs the same in Apple’s own store, for example thirty thousand forints for an iPhone 15 Pro case.

According to CNET’s report, these cases were amortized in a week with average use (source: CNET) [+]

The information came via Twitter that Apple recently stopped the production of FineWoven accessories and they are turning to a new material, but they are not going back to using leather. Among the reasons, according to the information source, is poor durability. In addition, according to Apple’s recently published environmental protection report, the introduction of FineWoven had no visible effect on the company’s sustainability efforts in twelve months.

It is an open question as to what the private label accessories will switch to, according to some rumors, to Alcantara textile material similar to polished leather. This was previously used by Samsung, for example, on the cases produced for the Galaxy S9, and by Microsoft on the keyboard of Surface products.