At the iPhone 15 presentation event, one of the novelties that stood out the most was the presentation of a new material designed to replace leather accessories, it is fine braiding. A more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional leather. However, after users have been testing it, this material has raised doubts about its quality and durability.
Apple’s finely braided accessories are made from a dense “microtwill” fabric that Apple describes as “suede-like” and has undergone thousands of hours of testing to best protect our devices. These accessories are currently available in five colors: black, taupe, berry red, evergreen and pacific blue.
Design and details of fine braided cases
In terms of design and appearance, these fine braided cases are an alternative to Apple leather accessories, which have been popular and loved by users for a long time. However, its appearance is not the only factor that we must take into account when evaluating the quality and durability of these new accessories.
The accessories of fine braid from Apple replace leather cases in the company’s product line, positioning them as the high-end option compared to silicone accessories as the cheaper cases. These silicone cases are known for their molded design and the variety of colors in which we can find them, while the fine braided cases and accessories come in darker colors and have anodized metal side buttons, which are one of the quality details that stand out the most.
The fine braid material covers the back of the covers and offers a soft and comfortable feel to the touch but also gives a slightly strange feel. However, it does not completely wrap the sides of the covers, since on the sides you can see a different texture designed to provide better grip.
MagSafe Compatibility
All Apple cases, including those with fine braid material, are compatible with MagSafe technology, allowing the connection of various accessories, such as Apple’s finely braided MagSafe wallets. When you place the case on the iPhone, an animation is activated on the screen with a color that matches the color of the case and users can feel haptic feedback when docking, all this is thanks to an NFC chip hidden inside the cover.
Despite the design details and high-quality features, there is one important aspect: the hand feel of the fine braided covers and accessories in general. Quite a few users have described it as “velvet-like”, but it has also been compared to the unpleasant sound of scraping old cloth. Many users even agree that the texture of this new material gives the sensation of being a “cheap” accessory and of much lower quality than expected.
Taking into account that Apple has wanted to position these accessories as a premium alternative to leather, it is somewhat disappointing. However, the reality is that they do not have the same tactile and feeling quality as previous leather accessories.
Additionally, one of the most concerning aspects of fine braid cases is their potential lack of long-term durability. This fabric is thin, which has led Apple to fill the back of the case with a layer of memory foam to give it some softness and thickness. However, this foam shows scratches easily, just by spending a lot of time in your pocket you might notice some wear on the case or accessory.
Are they really a sustainable alternative?
Although Apple has highlighted the sustainability As an important aspect of their product strategy, these fine braiding accessories don’t seem to completely fit the bill. Despite their design and carrying the “sustainable” label, the lack of durability and susceptibility to stains raise questions about whether these cases are a sustainable choice in the long term.