Apple has discontinued its “FineWoven” material for iPhone accessories. The company introduced this vegan leather alternative with the iPhone 15 but is now removing it from its product lineup.
A short-lived experiment in sustainability
Apple introduced the “FineWoven” material alongside the iPhone 15 as a more sustainable alternative to leather accessories. However, for many buyers of products made from this fabric, it proved to be more of an annoyance than an eco-friendly solution.
With the unveiling of its new iPhone 16, the tech giant has now almost completely abandoned its vegan leather. Only the “Wallet with MagSafe” credit card holders are still offered in this material. Phone cases made from “FineWoven” are not available for the iPhone 16 models.
At its September event on Monday, the company showcased only clear cases and those made from silicone. Additionally, Apple introduced its own iPhone cases under the Beats brand, a company it acquired ten years ago for $3.2 billion.
Not a viable alternative to conventional materials
Apple had chosen the “FineWoven” material over leather for environmental reasons. However, shortly after the sales launch, it became clear that the fabric was not a suitable alternative. Magazines wrote that the new phone cases were terrible, suggesting that Apple should “remove them from sale and refund everyone who has already bought one.”
Even Apple’s attempt at damage control apparently did not help. The company had sent a memo to its store employees with clear instructions on how to answer customer questions about the new material.
If questions about durability arose, employees were instructed to explain that the accessories “may look different and show signs of wear over time as the fibers compress with normal use.”
Previously, media had reported that employees in Apple stores were encouraged to replace the iPhone cases on display daily to hide signs of wear and tear.