We’re still awaiting today’s Apple event, but alongside the anticipated new products, we’re expecting confirmation of something which might seem relatively minor, but which could prove hugely influential: Apple dropping leather from its iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands.
While the move is not yet official, there does seem to be strong evidence that the company will this year be taking an environmental stand on the issue …
Our own sources last month told us that there will be no iPhone 15 leather cases this year, and this was later backed by multiple sources pointing to these being replaced with a new replaced with a new woven fabric material.
Later reports said that Apple was also moving away from leather for Watch bands too, again substituting a material believed to be branded as FineWoven.
Further evidence for this was provided in the fact that all Hermès Apple Watch bands – which are made from leather – have been removed from the company’s website ahead of today’s event.
It’s expected that Apple will cite environmental concerns as the reason for its decision.
Leather has long been considered an environmentally friendly material, being long-lasting, natural, and biodegradable. Additionally, it’s been argued that leather is simply a by-product of the meat and dairy industries, using materials which would otherwise go to waste.
However, in more recent years, this view has been challenged, for two reasons.
First, it’s argued, that leather is in some cases the primary product, not a secondary one. For example, rather few people eat veal these days, yet calves are still raised and slaughtered, because calf leather is highly prized in the fashion and luggage sectors.
Second, some suggest that it is more accurate to view leather as a co-product rather than a by-product of the meat and dairy industries. The reason is that income from leather helps sustain the rearing of cattle, which might not be profitable without that additional income source.
In other words, demand for leather helps maintain meat and dairy production, which are in turn considered to have high environmental costs.
Leather has been used to make clothing for thousands of years. Cro-Magons were believed to use leather skins for warmth and protection some 50,000 years ago, and the ancient Greeks made leather clothing and sandals from around 1200BC.
Demand for leather really took off during the industrial revolution, through mass-production of shoes and belts, with the material appreciated for its durability, and the fact that many consider its appearance to improve with age.
Today, leather is a staple in the fashion industry, and is considered a premium material used by many of the world’s leading fashion brands, as well as the material of choice for many when it comes to sofas and chairs.
Leather is still the default material for premium iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands, and it is this which Apple now seeks to challenge.
Not too long ago, it would have been almost impossible to imagine that any other material could take the place of leather in the luxury market.
But more recently, that has begun to change, with luxury car makers taking a lead – as we noted last month.
Land Rover are considered leaders in non-leather fabrics and sustainability. Their Evoque and Velar models feature a wool–polyester blend from Kvadrat.
Likewise, Mercedes have used Artico—a synthetic vinyl-based leather material—in their cars since 2003. [The material] has been refined over the years so that owners would struggle to tell the difference between leather and Artico.
Volvo are following suit and will only offer leather-free interiors; they will be using Nordico, a non-leather textile made from recycled plastic (PET) bottles, wood fragments from sustainable forests in Sweden and Finland, and corks recycled from the wine industry.
Polestar, their sister brand, will use WeaveTech, a water-based PVC material they have developed in-house.
Even Ferrari offers a leather alternative known as Mycro Prestige, while Tesla has phased out leather altogether.
Apple is, of course, a massively influential company in general. When it enters a market, the world pays attention.
That’s been true since the beginning of the century, with the launch of the iPod. Until then, mp3 players were things used by geeks, but the iPod turned them into fashionable and hugely popular mass-market products.
Apple repeated that trick with the iPhone. Smartphones went from nerdy products with hardware keyboards and stylus control into a hugely popular device which everyone wanted.
The Apple Watch played a similar role in the smartwatch market, and Vision Pro – or at least its more affordable successors – looks set to do the same for the mixed-reality world.
So when Apple publicly announces that it is abandoning leather, the world is likely to pay attention to that too. Provided its leather alternative(s) look and feel good, it’s pretty much a given that a large slice of those who would have bought a leather case for their shiny new iPhone 15, and a leather strap for their Apple Watch S9, are likely to switch instead to Apple’s new FineWoven material.
It’s of course not just a question of Apple products. If Apple succeeds first in portraying leather as environmentally unfriendly, and second in creating appealing premium alternatives, then other brands are likely to do the same.
We’ll of course see some third-party companies continue to sell leather Apple accessories. In the short-term, the iPhone maker could be doing them a huge favor by giving them a much larger slice of the pie now that Apple itself is no longer competing in the leather market.
But in the medium term, I think we’re going to see more and more companies offering premium materials which compete directly against leather. In the longer-term, Apple could well play a pivotal role in forever changing the premium image of leather.
Do I think Apple will kill the leather market overnight? Absolutely not. Trends take time to emerge, and there will always be a segment of the market which will accept nothing less than leather.
But I do think it will play a significant role in reducing demand for leather, not just for iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands, but more widely.
Do you agree? Or do you think leather will remain as popular as ever? Please take our poll, and share your thoughts in the comments.
Photo: David Švihovec/Unsplash
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Hands on with the best alternatives to Apple's ill-fated leather case
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Leather case alternatives
We went hands-on with your best alternatives for Apple's discontinued leather case for your new iPhone 15.
When Apple launched its latest smartphone, it also announced it would be ending its use of leather. All of Apple's leather accessories got discontinued, from its wallets to its AirTag covers to its iPhone cases.
Many users loved this case style though, so we've rounded up some suitable alternatives in a variety styles.
Environmental factors aside, we loved the design of Apple's leather case. It was just the right blend of protection while retaining the form factor and design of the iPhone.
It wasn't too bulky and Apple had quite a few nice touches. There were great color options, anodized aluminum buttons that were color-matched to the case, and of course, support MagSafe.
When we set out to find cases to recommend, we wanted to find cases that espoused similar properties.
They all had to support MagSafe, feel premium, aren't too bulky, and yes — many of them were leather.
Some cases aren't available yet as manufacturers scramble to accommodate the new Action Button, but these are the ones we've come up with.
Alto uses Italian, aniline-dyed leather that keeps the natural leather look but can also use more vibrant colors than some of the other cases.
Alto leather cases
They, of course, come in black, green, or brown but we like grey and pink too. They have the qualities of leather but the personality and color you find with other materials.
Like Apple, Alto does a full wrap of the leather, covering the sides and the back. The inside has black microfiber and color-matched anodized metal buttons go down the sides.
On the pro phones, Alto includes a physical Action Button rather than a cutout, making it very easy to press.
Grab Alto's iPhone 15 cases on Amazon starting at $59.95 and there is currently a $10 coupon.
For its leather cases, Bullstrap uses full-grain hand-dyed leather. Our model for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is in Sienna, which is a warm tan color.
Sienna Bullstrap case for iPhone 15 Pro Max
These cases change over time, darkening and developing a patina the more that you use them. Bullstrap backs them with a lifetime warranty.
They're thin cases, fitting to the body of your iPhone perfectly. They have nice, tactile metal buttons, including one for the Action Button.
The bottom is open, which we like because it is more comfortable to hold, but we know some users would prefer more protection for their phone. Just something to take into consideration.
Preorder yours starting at $89 from the Bullstrap website in multiple colors.
If you love Apple's leather cases but want something more eco-friendly, check out the Native Union (re)Classic case. This iPhone case feels premium and fashionable but is crafted from vegetable-based vegan leather.
Native Union (re)Classic Case
This case, available in black, Kraft Tan, or Slate Green, has a textured top with a smooth lower quarter. The top texture provides a nice grip when holding your phone.
It's nice and slim, mimicking Apple's profile but it lacks metal buttons. Instead, the buttons fabric-covered and while they still are easy to press, they aren't as pronounced.
Native Union also offers wristlets and lanyards that can easily attach to the bottom of the case with a removable shim.
Grab this on Amazon for $59.99.
Two Bellroy cases are suitable replacements for Apple's leather case. The first is the standard leather case.
The leather is very soft, probably the most soft of all the leather cases we've tested. It goes around the sides but still has a TPU top and bottom edge for more protection.
Unfortunately, Bellroy didn't include the Action Button on the first round of cases. It does make it a little harder to press, though not impossible.
Bellroy's iPhone 15 Pro Max cases
The Mod case comes with a magnetic wallet. The wallet has an added bar on the bottom, which connects with a slit on the back of the case to help it stay put.
The wallet is great, completely locking your cards in, and holds three cards or two and some backup cash.
They all come in solid colors, including the vivid blue we saw here and black.
The Mod case and wallet is available on Amazon for $95 or you can grab the standard case on Amazon for $55.
Nomad is well-known around these parts for their excellent iPhone accessories and they didn't change much here for the iPhone 15 series.
Here is their Modern Leather Case in the English Tan Horween leather. With use, it develops a lovely patina based on your lifestyle.
Nomad Modern Leather case in English Tan
It's one of the more protective leather cases while still staying thin. The sides are all TPU, giving you a two-tone look on this brown leather.
Nomad uses anodized metal buttons and includes one to cover the Action Button.
Find it on Nomad's website .
This case isn't leather, but it still fulfills many of the requirements that we look for in an Apple leather case alternative.
It's a thin, premium case with metal buttons and an elevated look. Rather than being wrapped in leather, the back woven Dupont Kevlar fibers.
Benks Kevlar case
For as thin as it is, it is very protective and we love the added metal ring that surrounds the camera module. We love the feel of this case and think it embodies a lot of the qualities of Apple's cases.
Pick one up on Benk's website for $39.99.
Moft too isn't using leather, but instead, its own MOVAS material that is intended as a leather alternative.
Moft Snap Case with MOVAS
The brand says "MOVAS is a revolutionary, self-developed vegan leather by MOFT. It features a balanced combination of softness, durability, and sustainability that is non-toxic and environment friendly."
These cases feel fantastic and they definitely have a premium feel to them despite being vegan leather. There are metal buttons down the sides and Moft even covered the Action Button.
Like Alto and Native Union above, Moft has a shim you can place in the bottom of the case if you want to use it with a lanyard or wristlet.
Moft has them available for $39.99 in various colors.
You also find them available on Amazon.
Of all the cases, Mujjo may be the closest to Apple's feel. It is super thin, has quality leather, and has metal buttons down the sides.
Mujjo dark brown leather case
Available in black, dark tan, and Monaco Blue, the Mujjo cases use durable European leather that is tanned in the Netherlands. Mujjo says its tannery is rated gold by the Leather Working Group for its environmental standards.
Mujjo does go one step further than Apple does with its old cases though, opting to put an anodized metal ring around the camera bump for one more bit of elegance.
Grab them on Mujjo's website for $59.
Of course, we also had to include Apple's FineWoven cases. We did a full review of Apple's FineWoven cases already, so you check that for our full opinion.
Apple FineWoven cases
These cases are Apple's heir-apparent to its now-discontinued leather cases, joining its silicone ones. They have a microfiber lining, anodized metal buttons, and the new FineWoven material down the back.
We've been using one for the past couple of weeks and while it did hold up better than we expected, it still isn't our favorite.
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