Could ‘TechWoven’ Be Apple’s Answer to FineWoven’s Failure?
Majin Bu
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Two years ago, Apple made a bold move to become more environmentally conscious by eliminating leather from its lineup, replacing its traditional premium iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands, and other accessories like AirTag holders with a new material dubbed FineWoven, which it described as “an elegant and durable twill made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content” with a “subtle cluster and a soft, suede-like feel.”
Sadly, while Apple’s motivations were laudable, its choice of materials didn’t stand the test of time. Only a few weeks after the first FineWoven cases debuted, buyers were sharing how poorly they stood up to regular daily use. Many felt that the cases were not up to Apple’s usual quality standards, which made their $60 price tag even more appalling.
Now, sources say that Apple may be preparing a replacement for FineWoven in the form of a new material that it’s reportedly calling “TechWoven.”
FineWoven’s failings weren’t just random comments from the peanut gallery. Folks at The Verge reported how a FineWoven case and MagSafe wallet showed wear almost immediately after being removed from the box. By last April, less than eight months after FineWoven debuted, reports surfaced that Apple had stopped production on the existing accessories. While there were some reports that it might still release a few new colors, the FineWoven cases were conspicuously absent from Apple’s September 2024 Glowtime event, with the company showing off only its standard silicone and clear plastic cases for the new models.
Industry sources hinted that Apple was working on a replacement for FineWoven before the iPhone 16 launch, but didn’t expect the company to have it ready in time. Some predicted that Apple might keep the FineWoven cases around for another year to fill the gap, but the company seemingly decided it was better to forget they ever existed. Apple still sells the FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe and AirTag FineWoven Key Ring, presumably to try and clear out old stock, but the link to Apple’s FineWoven Accessories store page only comes up in a Google search and shows a message that “There are no products available” in that category.
After skipping last year, the so-called “TechWoven” material could mark the return of Apple’s premium cases. This latest report comes from Majin Bu, who has a mixed track record for such things. While they’ve shared some accurate leaks in the past, the sheer volume of reports
So, it’s still far from a sure thing, but it does line up with a plethora of other reports that Apple has been working on a new material to replace FineWoven.
According to Bu, “TechWoven blends the strength of a technical fabric with a premium aesthetic.” That sounds like it could be an Apple marketing tagline, but the leaker doesn’t attribute it to that.
The cases will reportedly be available in black, brown, blue, green, and purple, and, in an interesting twist, will reportedly also include the same lanyard holes as the “Liquid Silicone Case” that Bu shared earlier this week. Majin Bu notes that the photos show replicas that are “almost always 1:1 clones of the original models,” not the actual boxes, although they also include a note that says “Compatible with Crossbody Strap,” which suggests that Apple might sell something more than just a lanyard for these attachment holes.
Nevertheless, both the “Liquid Silicone” and “TechWoven” rumors are coming from the same source and have yet to be corroborated by anyone else. The cases being shared by Majin Bu appear to be real, but with hundreds of companies making iPhone cases, it’s impossible to guarantee that what we’re seeing are official ones made by Apple. As AppleInsider noted last month, it also doesn’t help that Majin Bu might have an ulterior motive for prolifically posting iPhone case rumors.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
