Instead of controversial "FineWoven": Apple allegedly plans new cover material
According to a leak from China, Apple is once again working on vegan leather. This time, it is said to be more durable than the old "fine fabric".
Apple FineWoven cases: Sometimes unsightly shortly after delivery. Is a replacement coming?
(Image: Apple)
According to a well-known leaker, Apple is working on an alternative to its controversial (and ultimately failed) vegan leather substitute FineWoven. This new material is also said to be made of plastic – A return to cow is not planned. According to Majin Bu, who has been right several times in the past, FineWoven will be completely replaced; in fact, Apple itself currently only has one iPhone card case made of the fabric on offer, all other products have been removed from Apple's store.
Still "eco-friendly"
According to Majin Bu, the new material is also an alternative to the once popular premium leather, but this time it has a more rubbery "grippy" texture so that it does not fall out of the hand so easily. However, the look is said to be less "premium" than the old fine weave –, although the latter could disintegrate surprisingly quickly. Majin Bu had previously claimed that Apple was planning new cases to match the iPhone 17, which were supposedly even based on the Liquid Glass look of the iOS 26 operating system.
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However, the dummies presented did not look much like this, and they were made of a different material than the one now shown by the leaker. The FineWoven replacement should still be eco-friendly, protected against scratches and "daily wear", have matt colors such as orange, blue, purple or green and use a "visible texture with a high-tech design".
Long-term durability and lanyard
Apple is focusing primarily on practicality and "long-term durability" with the new cases –. Apparently, the company does not want to experience a fiasco like the one it once had with FineWoven, for which it had invested a lot of marketing effort but then had to withdraw. It is also planned that the iPhone will be able to accommodate an Apple-produced lanyard via the case for the first time – and will be compatible with lanyards from third-party providers.
Majin Bu does not yet seem to be sure whether the new material corresponds to the liquid glass option that he himself had previously leaked – or whether it is an extra material. Its aesthetics should then be "more striking" than the other material, the name of which has not yet been leaked. Apple earns very good money with accessories such as cases because they have enormous margins. Most recently, the audio subsidiary Beats also entered the market with the iPhone 16.
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