I recently bought a new iPhone 14 and an apple magsafe leather case. I am replacing an iPhone 12 and magsafe leather case. This iPhone 14 leather case (by comparison to iPhone 12 case) does not feel or smell like real leather. The iPhone 12 case does feels and smell like real leather. Can anyone verify if the 14 case is made of actual real leather, or synthetic leather?
From the Apple Store app - see especially the second and fifth paragraphs here.
From the Apple Store app - see especially the second and fifth paragraphs here.
Thank you for forwarding that product description. It was the same one I read before buying it. It is the same product description read to me by apple sales support.
Unfortunately none of that confirms whether or not the 14 pro leather case IS made from real leather. I'm not convinced that it is. There is a definite difference in texture and scent when compared to 12 pro leather case. Synthetic leather has become very convincing (at a glance).
Something is different with the 14 pro case.
pktnyc wrote:
Unfortunately none of that confirms whether or not the 14 pro leather case IS made from real leather.
I’m no expert, but I respectfully disagree. Consider these words from the last paragraph in the description:
”This case is made with high-quality, supple leather to protect your iPhone. Leather is a natural material and, like a fine leather belt, it may show creases, marks or a patina over time.”
The fact that the case seems to feel or smell different does not, in and of itself, mean that it's not genuine leather. It could just mean they used a different tanning process. Or a different dye. Or a different supplier.
In the U.S., there are laws about truth in advertising. Apple would only open itself up to risk by saying the case was genuine leather if it wasn't. And to what end? Lots of people, apparently you included, don't like leather, either because of personal taste or beliefs about the use of animal products. By saying the case is genuine leather, Apple writes off that entire market (which includes much of India).
The iPhone leather cases simply aren’t what they used to be. That is the conclusion I’ve come to. Products are not always made to the same standard from year to year. Whatever the reasons might be for iPhone’s leather cases now being different it’s easy to find quality alternatives by other manufacturers.
IdrisSeabright made many excellent points (as usual).
But it raises this question - obviously you had your mind made up that the iPhone 14 leather case was unacceptable before you ever wrote your post. No argument about the leather’s authenticity would change your view. It’s not at all clear why you submitted the post.
Anyway, enjoy your iPhone and whatever case you end up using.
sberman wrote:
But it raises this question - obviously you had your mind made up that the iPhone 14 leather case was unacceptable before you ever wrote your post. No argument about the leather’s authenticity would change your view. It’s not at all clear why you submitted the post.
+1
Perhaps this will clarify what has become an unnecessary debate. I bought the iPhone 12 Pro and matching leather case several years ago. I really liked that leather case. Had not one issue with it. The leather was great.
By comparison the iPhone 14 pro leather case did not meet the same level of quality. The texture, smell, touch and light reflection all strongly suggest either a synthetic leather or simply a lesser quality leather or manufacturing process that has effected its appeal.
I posted my experience here because I wanted to know if the leather was indeed real leather. Had anyone brought actual facts to the conversation I might have changed my opinion. Instead the replies have brought some diehard iPhone fans running to turn this all into a product loyalty debate.
The Reddit thread I added was deleted by a moderator. In that thread many people who have owned various iPhone models and the matching leather cases talked about a change in quality (leather cases) beginning with the iPhone 12 Pro case. You can all search the same thread if it interests you.
I brought my experience to the community here for its collective experience with this product for verification. Just as the direction of the wind eventually changes the same is true (unfortunately) of mass produced consumer products. I ordered the iPhone 14 Pro leather case, sight unseen, because I believed it would be just as great as the iPhone 12 pro leather case.
It isn’t. End of story.
PS It seems the reddit community have also noticed something in the iPhone leather cases has changed:
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/125ml5a/are_the_apple_iphone_14_pro_leather_cases_good/
You should always buy what best meets your needs/wants.
iPhone 14 leather case: Real or synthetic leather?
