Kind of glad that I went with a Spigen case, instead. I can’t justify $60 for a case that is so delicate.
The leather cases had their problems, but when leather gets old, it at least looks nice — a scuffed, dusty fabric case will not.
Proper leather does.
Apple’s didn’t.
It wasn’t the best aged leather I’ve seen, but my 3 year old Apple leather case looked a lot better than old plastic or silicon cases I have had after just a year or so.
If it wasn’t for the 13 mini being slightly different for the 12 mini, I would have kept using the leather case for 3 more years. I’m still using the MagSafe wallet I got 3 years ago and didn’t feel a need to upgrade.
The best thing we can do for the environment is use things for a long time. A case that will still look good in 3 years is a lot better than a case someone will feel needs replacing after 3 months.
Even better would be building a phone that doesn’t leaving over half the population thinking they need a case.
I’m all for real leather. Real leather lasts and holds up well.
Apple’s last several leather cases were some of the worst quality leather I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how you got years out of one. 6 months seems ludicrously optimistic.
I’m not dragging the thing around in the dirt. I hold it, put it in my pocket, put it on a table, charge it… the case has an easy life. I dropped it a few time. It has a couple scuffs and scratches, but nothing major.
The main thing that happened was the edges all got dark. It felt like it took a year for that to happen, with whatever they treat it with. It looked brand new for many many months, way longer than I thought.
The leather is extremely thin. It has to be for the case or else it would get really bulky. That alone leaves it pretty vulnerable compared to a thicker, higher quality, leather. I’m sure if I took a lighter to it, there would be some kind of coating on it to make is all uniform as well.
I suppose I could get one from Saddleback. That would probably be better leather, but using MagSafe might be a problem. It says it still works though.
It doesn’t have to be extremely thin, and there are plenty of quality leather cases that exist for phones, including the iPhone. The thickness of most cases is more than sufficient for a leather product with durability.
Apple’s just makes bonded leather look premium.
I think they were good when they first came out and became cheaper over the years. It’s ok though I’m perfectly happy purchasing a higher quality leather case from a 3rd party although I’m using a silicone one right now.
The second it gets sticky or begins degrading I’ll replace it though.
The best thing we can do for the environment is use things for a long time.
The only Apple leather case I ever bought ended up in landfill three months later. They’re nowhere near as durable as plastic cases, which I usually sell with my phone after using it for a few years.
I’m sure it lasts if you’re gentle with it… but so will any other well made case. Apple says the leather case environmental impact was too high, and they would know since they make it.
It’s a way to sell an inferior cheaper product for the same price while greenwashing it as an environmental move.
I’m sticking with real leather.
Real leather is better.
And cows are blamed for a lot even though all livestock is just 6% of global emissions… (which includes pigs, sheep, chickens etc)
Okay guys. Hear me out. I ordered the wallet and case with my new phone. In the box, it specifically states on the instructions that the finewoven material WILL patina with time, just like leather. This was not unknown to apple. I am not trying to say that it will infact look nice when there is a year of patina, I am just saying that this is a feature, not a bug. I wish they had emphasized this more when announcing the fabric. They expect people to use it LIKE LEATHER. It should age like leather, it should feel like the suede leather, and it should be handled like leather. So I think these arguments that it “scratches too easily” are just somewhat overboard. The finewoven wallet on my phone the last 2 days looks just like when I received it.
Wait what am I saying. Apple bad. Bad bad apple. You make bad product and too pricey. Now go back to Cupertino and make an indestructible leather alternative that is REALLY worth the money.
“Patina” usually refers to desirable wear that makes an item, generally, perceived to be more beautiful.
I’m not here to knock Apple. I’m literally waiting for my Plus pre-order to arrive, but at what point is the word “patina” being used to describe and pass off easily marred product as something more than it is?
Let’s be honest here - drag a fingernail on leather and it’s going to do the same, and it’s not guaranteed that it’ll “patina” away.
I’m still on an 11 so I’ve no horse in this race, but I do think the Verge jumped the gun for clicks on this. If they held the article a few months to see how it really holds up, then I’d consider it a valid criticism, but it seems they tried to build a wildfire on an edge-case…
(This /c is really starting to feel like the old subreddit apple-haters of old. sigh.)
suede leather
Even real suede is a difficult material to keep looking good, especially when it regularly comes into contact with oily skin (such as your palm).
I’ll be sticking with Bullstrap for the foreseeable future. Apple’s cases have always seemed like a sucker’s move, to me.
I have an Andalusia leather case and I love it. It’s lasted far longer than any other case and it still looks great.
Their leather cases since Magsafe appeared have been horrible anyway.
Very true. They used to be good.
I don’t know why they just didn’t use the newer vinyls that car companies use for seats. I love what my cooper uses. Looks legit and is durable AF.
Could someone help me: what is a MagSafe Wallet? Is it just a credit card pouch that couples to your phone? Do you need to take it off if you want to put your phone on a MagSafe charger?
Yeah it’s just a pouch that connects via MagSafe. You need to remove it to charge via MagSafe.
Thank you!
Can we talk about how bad of a name “Fine Woven” is? There’s just something off about using a past perfect tense about a material. Plus this particular three syllable phrase doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
Damn. I ordered one for the pro max. I guess just treat it like crap till it falls apart
Return it, it is really not worth the premium price. Get a much cheaper Spigen or any other case.
You’re right! After sleeping on it, just started the return process.
I bought a few cases from Vaja https://row.vajacases.com in the past, like past past for my MP3 white iPod none click scroll wheel and a Zen audio player both still look good to this day, don’t have a recent case but worth a 👀
