iPhone 12/Pro/Pro Max Leather case patina not developing compared to previous leather cases

I’m happy with the way it feels. It is more grippy than a brand new case and, because I only rubbed in a very small amount of balm, it is not “greasy” at all. I think you’re right about the coating on the new cases; Apple made them with more coating due to MagSafe. Good luck with your case.

Hi guys,

I bought the Blue leather case for my iPhone 12 mini and it’s gone all black on the edges.

Almost looks like a layer of color that was put on black leather.

Anyone else?

Actually not at all. The aging process doesn’t take longer it just disintegrates further and looks more damaged as opposed to a nice worn rustic finish that they used to acquire. It’s a very poor quality build on Apples part. They should recall all these and re-issue a proper quality leather.

I take care of my four kids three goldfish and a pet bird. I absolutely do not need to “take care“ of my iPhone case. Again, No disrespect to you Khuongg Dangg you’ve been very helpful. It’s just that it’s not the same quality leather, they cheaped out this time. There’s no question about it

Unfortunately I have to agree with Erod here. Apple needs to do a recall and all these cases. Stop finishing the leather with a cheap paint and use the really good coach leather that they used previously.

Why in the world to we pay 90 NZD (or equivalent) for a original Apple case to them receive so cheap **** that I could have ordered on wish or similar?

Why is nobody in the US holding Apple responsible for this? Do you not have any consumer protection laws?

I am really ticked off by this!

Has anyone contacted Apple directly and got an answer regarding this issue?

It’s quite a simple explanation. They now use garbage. Hopefully someone will expose them. It’s quite frustrating. The pictures speak for themself. Every single person with this case has the exact same issue. They use cheap quality and now paint a cheap finish on instead of a high-quality refined leather. There’s not too much more to explain. It’s Just a shame that they haven’t been called out on it yet.

I have an orange leather case for my iphone 12.

After just a couple of months the edges turned black, it’s clear that is a low quality leather. I take very good care of my phone, so fustrating. Here is Australia I paid $80.

After lodging a complain report and spending many hours on the phone with Apple custumer service I was told that the state of my case was “normal” wear and tear. I am very disaponted with the company. They are making a mistake on prioritizing profit over custumer satisfaction. At that price I woyuld expect far higher quality.

Yep. Same old story. They clearly cheaped out and painted garbage quality leather with inferior paint that fades and peels as opposed to burnishing and weathering over time. Wish others would complain. It’s a piece of garbage.

Very disappointed to have the same issue. 7 months into owning the case and the edges of the saddle brown color have worn off to show black underneath, but no patina on the rest of the case. Just looks like the edges are dirty. Saddened to see Apple's quality control or value engineering have developed an inferior product when I have always bought one of their leather cases in the past for my phones. Looking at a Bullstrap case instead at this point.

I have given up on my saddle brown case. Tried to sand a bit to get the patina but it still looks awful . Not worth the money I have paid for it!! Wouldn’t pay a 1£ if I knew how it will end up looking. I will use it until my bullstrap case arrives. I will never ever buy any cases from Apple again. If it’s not leather don’t call it leather simple as that.

Agnieszka czyli dwóch polaków gadających po angielsku 😁 kupiłem w media expert brak paragonu nic zadzwoniłem na Apple care (masz telefon: 00 800 4411875) powiedziałem że proszę technika do telefonu bo na pierwszej linii są ludzie którzy cię zbywają. Poprowadził moją sprawę obejrzał zdjęcia i załatwił wymianę na ich koszt w cortlandzie. 👍 nie wiem co jest w naszym narodzie że boi się coś reklamować…

I had the same issue after 7 months. I took my saddle brown 12 pro max case into the apple store and showed them the problem and they asked me what I wanted. They exchanged it for a new black leather one. If it does the same thing at least it won’t look as bad (dirty) as the saddle brown with the “ring” around the edges. The guy at the store said he never heard of the issue but was nice about doing the exchange.

I’ve only had the new one for a month. I’m sure it will do the same thing, but my logic is it won’t look as bad as the saddle brown which just looks dirty on the edges vs a patina. I’ve had previous saddle brown cases for iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone XS Max and they all developed an awesome patina. Hope apple fixes this or I will start looking at other brands for a leather case.

Apple — I read through all this discussion. It doesn’t appear you’ve issued a formal response to this persistent complaint? Why not?

We are angry.

Some might say this is petty or trivial. Perhaps. But that would be saying art, beauty, craft, design, and the relentless pursuit of perfection are petty. Apple’s very DNA is principled upon DESIGN is it not? Our iPhone is the device/tool we most use in our life. It’s feel and look should not be compromised… is should reflect the quality and beauty APPLE has always stood for…

So to sell us a saddle brown “leather” case that overtime rather than developing a beautiful patina by aging into a darker richer softer saddle brown leather with the added improvement of becoming easier to grip you’ve SOLD us a cheap faux feeling painted on brown that over time “scuffs” revealing BLACK and becomes harder and harder to hold onto. I now drop my phone several times a day as a result of this horrible change you’ve made to the once AMAZING IPHONE CASE.

I feel duped. You sold us something that LOOKED like the previous Apple cases which wasn’t. Why? Who made this decision and to what end? Was it to save money? Was it for environmental reasons?

As an Apple customer since 1978 and iPhone customer since 2008, I implore you to responsibly provide us with an explanation… not an excuse, an explanation…. PLEASE.