FineWoven

Apple is yet to confirm, but the company is expected to hold a special event in September to announce the new iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Series 10. Ahead of the event, FineWoven accessories such as iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands are running out of stock in Apple Stores around the world.

Apple has trouble admitting when it’s wrong. The company’s marketing has always been about excellence, and admitting that something isn’t right seems to be out of the question for Apple. For us customers, this means having to deal with problematic products for longer than we’d like. Yes, I’m talking about FineWoven – but Apple has had other FineWovens in its past, and it should’ve learned that it’s okay to admit you’re wrong sometimes.

Over the weekend, it was rumored that Apple had ended production of FineWoven cases and watch bands. As it turns out, Apple does apparently still have one more iteration of the oft-maligned FineWoven accessories coming soon in new colors, but the end is near.

Remember last September when I told you all that Apple’s FineWoven cases for iPhone 15 sucked? It turns out they are so bad that Amazon had to add a warning label to FineWoven accessories to caution buyers that they are “frequently returned.”

The news doesn’t get any better for FineWoven cases. After being solidly panned by 9to5Mac readers, editors, and major retail chains, a series of polls on social media sites saw the majority of owners describe them as “junk.”

Update: The combined results of three social media polls show that 53% describe the case as “a piece of junk,” while only 21% considered it has held up well …

Even before Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 9, there were rumors that the company wanted to replace its leather accessories with something else. I was a bit skeptical about this since I’ve always been a fan of Apple Watch leather bands. In September, Apple announced the new FineWoven accessories. Now, I’ve finally decided to try the FineWoven Apple Watch band. Is it better than the leather band?

Here’s something I noticed recently. Despite the hoopla around Apple’s leather-replacing FineWoven iPhone cases settling, there does seem to be one lasting effect.

We all know the deal by now. Apple replaced its leather accessories with a new material it calls FineWoven. The idea is that getting out of the leather game at Apple’s scale lowers the company’s carbon footprint. So far, so good. But FineWoven hasn’t been a clear winner. Do you think the initial reaction has been overblown, or is FineWoven really as bad as its critics say?

Apple announced this week that it will no longer sell leather accessories including iPhone 15 cases. The company has a new material in its place that Apple calls FineWoven. Starting today, customers are starting to receive the first FineWoven iPhone 15 cases and share close-up shots including the images above from @tech_instigator.