Apple Shakes Up Its Case Lineup with iPhone 16 Release
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This week’s debut of the new iPhone 16 models also brought some big changes in Apple’s lineup of iPhone accessories, with the quiet elimination of its previously much-hyped FineWoven brand and the introduction of a new, faster MagSafe charger.
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 lineup a year ago, it made a big deal about becoming even more environmentally friendly by ditching leather accessories—complete with a slightly awkward video of Octavia Spencer depicting an intimidating “Mother Nature” presiding over an obsequious Tim Cook.
Key to that initiative was the company’s decision to use new FineWoven accessories, 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.”
However, despite its enthusiasm for the new material a year ago, the word “FineWoven” wasn’t uttered once during this week’s Glowtime event. Instead, Apple showed off only its standard silicone and clear plastic cases, redesigned for the iPhone 16 with unique support for the new Camera Control.
That shouldn’t come as a big surprise for anyone who has tried one of these FineWoven cases. As we outlined in April, there didn’t seem to be too many positive responses to the material, with complaints suggesting cheap and cardboard-like construction and “basically like a polyester pillowcase sandwiched in a plastic shell.” To make matters worse, the cases didn’t hold up to everyday use, and many reviewers found scuffs and wear around their new cases and wallets as soon as they took them out of the box.
By the end of last year, Apple had become very quiet about FineWoven, and by the spring, rumors began suggesting it had stopped production of the accessories entirely.
Apple would seemingly prefer to forget it ever made FineWoven in the first place. However, what’s more unusual is that it hasn’t come up with anything else to replace it. While Apple likes to “Think Different,” vegan leather is a tried-and-true option, and while it was once associated with cheap accessories, there are modern versions that are surprisingly good. It’s not like Apple’s Leather cases were anything to write home about compared to more luxurious versions from companies like Mujjo, Nomad, Torras, or SnakeHive.
Apple is still said to be working on something else, but even a few months ago, insiders said it might not be ready for the iPhone 16. At the time, some predicted another round of FineWoven cases would fill the gap, but clearly, Apple had decided that it was not worth repeating that mistake.
However, for now, you’ll need to look elsewhere if you want a more premium case for your new iPhone 16. Your old iPhone 15 case likely won’t fit and definitely won’t leave room for the Camera Control.
The only FineWoven iPhone accessory that remains is the MagSafe Wallet. That’s likely because it attaches via MagSafe and didn’t need to be re-engineered for the new iPhone models. However, Apple has released it in four new colors: Dark Green, Black, Deep Blue, and Blackberry, so it’s not simply clearing out old stock (last year’s colors were Evergreen, Mulberry, Pacific Blue, Taupe, and Black).
It’s also still selling FineWoven watch bands and AirTag key rings, but like the MagSafe wallet, these don’t require new designs. Despite rumors of a change to a magnetic band attachment system, the Apple Watch Series 10 still supports the same watch band design that’s been used for the past ten years.
Meanwhile, Apple has added a new lineup of Beats iPhone 16 cases made from hard polycarbonate and available in four colors: Midnight Black, Summit Stone, Riptide Blue, and Sunset Purple. The colors are the same for all four iPhone 16 models, starting at $49, with full support for MagSafe and the Camera Control. However, they also return to the older style of leaving the bottom of the iPhone mostly exposed rather than opting for precision port and speaker cutouts.
Of course, Apple’s cases aren’t the only game in town. Nearly every other major case manufacturer has already announced a lineup of iPhone 16 cases. However, it’s worth mentioning that Apple’s are the only ones we’ve seen so far that add a passthrough Camera Control button with its own sapphire crystal and conductive layer. Most others just leave an indented cutout to expose the button directly.
