As Apple unveiled the line of accessories at the iPhone 15 event the previous year, lovers of the Apple brand eagerly looked forward to the developments. Among these were the new fine woven iPhone cases as well as Apple Watch bands, which appeared to be an environmentally friendly counterpart to Apple’s previous genuine leather accessories. But, what sounded like launching a vehicle towards a sustainable future became more of a product that Apple might want to bury.
The Short-Lived FineWoven Case
Suppose you recently purchased a sleek leather case for your iPhone, but instead of being a lasting accessory, it looks as weathered as a tattered piece of clothing within weeks. Such a far cry from the durability you would expect to find in a product that costs $59. The customers have almost echoed one another in their negative remarks about the poor quality of the FineWoven cases and how fast they disintegrate.
Apple has previously used genuine leather iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands, but changed them to Fine Woven materials, which the tech giant claimed are the future of sustainable material.Â
They were as expensive as the products that were made from genuine leather materials. However, the only thing which appeared to make them similar to the leather versions was the rather inflated price.
Will Apple Pull the Plug?
As we speak, there are some whispers making rounds in the market to suggest that Apple might be willing to call it quits on such products as soon as next week when it releases the iPhone 16 series. As reported by Bloomberg , Apple Stores are facing a shortage of FineWoven goods. This could mean one of two things: Apple is either preparing to stop the FineWoven line altogether or it may well be preparing to add new colors and designs to the FineWoven to offer backup for the impending hardware.
It has been clear for a while now. In April this year, rumors started emerging that Apple had stopped the production of new FineWoven accessories because many of its customers filed complaints on poor quality. As a result, it appears more probable for Apple to turn its back on FineWoven completely. If that is the scenario, then users of iPhone may soon be left to either the silicone cases or the clear cases for protection of their phones.
What Lies in Future for Apple Accessories
Apart from iPhone cases, FineWoven is applied to many other accessory goods, such as Apple Watch bands, AirTag key rings, and MagSafe wallet. But these, too, have been themselves infected by the same problems. These products scratch easily, do not wear well and the tactility that is associated with Apple products is not present.
Apple has the opportunity to bring its reputation back on track through the release of the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10 on September 9. Will they bring the next, perhaps stronger material that can easily handle daily abuse? Or will they choose to get rid of the FineWoven choice in their designs?Â
Is it time for a fresh start?
In the tech zone, it is not a smart play to bow every time a new concept comes around. Apple, the company that brought us high quality, desirable products characterized by stylish designs, seem to be off the mark with FineWoven. And if there is one thing we know about Apple is that the firm is capable of changing its direction when something does not seem to be going right. With the iPhone 16 event looming large, the tech world is already abuzz with excitement.
If you are interested in knowing what Apple has lined up for everyone, you can watch the live keynote address on September 9th on the official Apple website or on YouTube.
