It wasn’t the best aged leather I’ve seen, but my 3 year old Apple leather case looked a lot better than old plastic or silicon cases I have had after just a year or so.
If it wasn’t for the 13 mini being slightly different for the 12 mini, I would have kept using the leather case for 3 more years. I’m still using the MagSafe wallet I got 3 years ago and didn’t feel a need to upgrade.
The best thing we can do for the environment is use things for a long time. A case that will still look good in 3 years is a lot better than a case someone will feel needs replacing after 3 months.
Even better would be building a phone that doesn’t leaving over half the population thinking they need a case.
I’m all for real leather. Real leather lasts and holds up well.
Apple’s last several leather cases were some of the worst quality leather I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how you got years out of one. 6 months seems ludicrously optimistic.
I’m not dragging the thing around in the dirt. I hold it, put it in my pocket, put it on a table, charge it… the case has an easy life. I dropped it a few time. It has a couple scuffs and scratches, but nothing major.
The main thing that happened was the edges all got dark. It felt like it took a year for that to happen, with whatever they treat it with. It looked brand new for many many months, way longer than I thought.
The leather is extremely thin. It has to be for the case or else it would get really bulky. That alone leaves it pretty vulnerable compared to a thicker, higher quality, leather. I’m sure if I took a lighter to it, there would be some kind of coating on it to make is all uniform as well.
I suppose I could get one from Saddleback. That would probably be better leather, but using MagSafe might be a problem. It says it still works though.
It doesn’t have to be extremely thin, and there are plenty of quality leather cases that exist for phones, including the iPhone. The thickness of most cases is more than sufficient for a leather product with durability.
I think they were good when they first came out and became cheaper over the years. It’s ok though I’m perfectly happy purchasing a higher quality leather case from a 3rd party although I’m using a silicone one right now.
The second it gets sticky or begins degrading I’ll replace it though.
The best thing we can do for the environment is use things for a long time.
The only Apple leather case I ever bought ended up in landfill three months later. They’re nowhere near as durable as plastic cases, which I usually sell with my phone after using it for a few years.
I’m sure it lasts if you’re gentle with it… but so will any other well made case. Apple says the leather case environmental impact was too high, and they would know since they make it.
Proper leather does.
Apple’s didn’t.
It wasn’t the best aged leather I’ve seen, but my 3 year old Apple leather case looked a lot better than old plastic or silicon cases I have had after just a year or so.
If it wasn’t for the 13 mini being slightly different for the 12 mini, I would have kept using the leather case for 3 more years. I’m still using the MagSafe wallet I got 3 years ago and didn’t feel a need to upgrade.
The best thing we can do for the environment is use things for a long time. A case that will still look good in 3 years is a lot better than a case someone will feel needs replacing after 3 months.
Even better would be building a phone that doesn’t leaving over half the population thinking they need a case.
I’m all for real leather. Real leather lasts and holds up well.
Apple’s last several leather cases were some of the worst quality leather I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how you got years out of one. 6 months seems ludicrously optimistic.
I’m not dragging the thing around in the dirt. I hold it, put it in my pocket, put it on a table, charge it… the case has an easy life. I dropped it a few time. It has a couple scuffs and scratches, but nothing major.
The main thing that happened was the edges all got dark. It felt like it took a year for that to happen, with whatever they treat it with. It looked brand new for many many months, way longer than I thought.
The leather is extremely thin. It has to be for the case or else it would get really bulky. That alone leaves it pretty vulnerable compared to a thicker, higher quality, leather. I’m sure if I took a lighter to it, there would be some kind of coating on it to make is all uniform as well.
I suppose I could get one from Saddleback. That would probably be better leather, but using MagSafe might be a problem. It says it still works though.
It doesn’t have to be extremely thin, and there are plenty of quality leather cases that exist for phones, including the iPhone. The thickness of most cases is more than sufficient for a leather product with durability.
Apple’s just makes bonded leather look premium.
I think they were good when they first came out and became cheaper over the years. It’s ok though I’m perfectly happy purchasing a higher quality leather case from a 3rd party although I’m using a silicone one right now.
The second it gets sticky or begins degrading I’ll replace it though.
The only Apple leather case I ever bought ended up in landfill three months later. They’re nowhere near as durable as plastic cases, which I usually sell with my phone after using it for a few years.
I’m sure it lasts if you’re gentle with it… but so will any other well made case. Apple says the leather case environmental impact was too high, and they would know since they make it.