https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/09/08/apple-to-introduce-finewoven-replacement-cases-with-iphone-16-debut
Following a negative consumer reaction to its FineWoven cases for iPhone, Apple is likely to be replacing the lineup with cases that could be made from a new and unnamed material such as "vegan leather," according to a regular leaker.
That’s what I figured they’d jump to. It matches their branding focused and fixes the problem with their premium cases.
Honestly, they should’ve been faux leather from the jump. A lot of that stuff has become pretty good over the past decade. You don’t get some of the cool wear marks, but the good stuff is really durable and looks nice for a long time. It’s not the faux leather from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
My $10 generic clear plastic case is still holding up well after 4 years. No yellowing and wireless charging works. Also, I love how the picture in the article is from chinese knockoffs that are likely what the new cases will look like.
You have to wonder how finewoven ever got out of preliminary testing. Were they always that poorly designed, or did someone change something at the last minute?
I’ve trusted the Otterbox Defender for 15 years.
I wish someone did like 100-drop drop tests with a dozen different cases. If it could be proven I could trust a thinner case just as much as:
I’d go for it. Yes, YouTubers will drop a phone a couple times, but that could be a case test or a luck test.
Otterbox has been tried and true for me since the old HTC Evo 3D. It’s been solid on spills and long drops. I’ve shifted to more fashionable cases but if I’m camping I’m always swapping to the otterbox.
At risk of sounding like I’m advertising, I replaced my OtterBox with a Dbrand case a few months ago and I’ve been incredibly happy with it. I feel like it’s done just as well with my drops and it’s much thinner and lighter.
I've always had the cases break before the phone did. They work very well and haven't let me down.
I really like my FineWoven case, I was hoping they would revise them rather than do away with it entirely. I had to get a replacement for my first one because the sides were peeling (which Apple replaced for free) but the replacement has been fine.
However they don’t age well, especially the ones in any colour other than black, so I can see why they did it. Still, I prefer it over any other case I’ve owned. Feels nice in hand, thinner than any previous Apple case while still providing great drop protection, smooth but not slippy, it had a lot going for it.
I got mine replaced due to the sides peeling as well (covered under warranty) and the replacement is now peeling after only a few months. Hopefully whatever is next is a little more durable - even the leather cases the last few years lacked in that area.
The leather link watch band is the most comfortable band I’ve ever used. Amazon still has them for 50$. half what I paid
I like the feel of fine woven. Got it with my 15 pro max.
It’s aged a bit but not worn through or fraying. I did spray it with scotchgard when I first got it though which probably helped somewhat.
My wife and I were in the camp where everything just started to peel and come apart in the first few months. When we brought them in to Apple, the employees said that they were getting a lot of cases that just started falling apart.