Apple FineWoven case review
Apple is likely to kill off its FineWoven range of cases and bands when the iPhone 16 launches. Most of you still shouldn’t buy them while stocks last, they were at least a valiant attempt to replace leather.
It’s not a surprise that FineWoven is about to disappear. Perhaps its not even really a surprise that it failed to successfully replace leather.
It is a surprise that Apple didn’t spot its failings before it got to a mass, worldwide release.
But rather than criticize Apple for a failed product range, instead recognize and even applaud that it took a big bet. Apple was convinced enough of its need to stop using leather that it went all out.
Every leather product Apple sold was cancelled at the same time, and this new FineWoven alternative was ramped up to mass production. FineWoven is a dense micro twill — a type of fabric weave — which Apple claimed has a “suede-like” feel.
AppleInsider reviewed the first FineWoven iPhone cases and we were clear that we couldn’t recommend them. FineWoven cases snagged on pockets, showed stains badly, and for some people the feel of the cases was “like scratching an old 90’s windbreaker, in all the worst ways.”
There’s no but to follow that, no however, and no qualification of any way. The cases, and also the Apple Watch bands, remain just poor, overall.
Even if you liked the feel, and some did, FineWoven accessories practically attract problems.
Consequently, few are going to miss FineWoven accessories. People who do somehow like them should buy now while they still can — and buy many, many of them because they won’t last in any sense.
Still, give Apple credit for trying something new. It didn’t work, and the company’s reported thousands of hours of testing should have shown this.
But if nothing else, Apple did go hell for leather.
