Apple may discontinue silicone iPhone case in eco-friendly push

AppleInsider

Apple may go further than eliminating leather cases from the iPhone 15 range, as a rumor claims Apple may eventually discontinue the use of silicone for its accessories.

iPhone 14 silicone cases

Rumors throughout August put forward the idea that Apple will be making a conscious decision to get rid of all its leather-based accessories in favor of "FineWoven" versions, starting with items made for the iPhone 15 generation of devices. It could be the case that Apple will do more to become more ecologically sound with case releases in the future.

According to leaker "Kosutami" speaking to MacRumors on Sunday, Apple plans to switch out silicone in favor of another material that's better for the environment. Such a move would impact a wide range of products, including iPhone cases, the Apple Watch Sport Band and Solo Loop, and the AirTag Loop, among others.

The change won't be happening anytime soon, the leaker reckons, but that it would take place as a gradual transition over time. It may not necessarily be an instant switchover to new materials, as Apple may simply not refresh existing accessories using silicone as they sell out, in favor of stocking the new version instead.

The move, as well as the leather-related changes, are part of an attempt by Apple to shift into more environmentally-friendly products, something that's lacking with its current accessory lineup.

While iPhones and other devices can be recycled or use recycled aluminum, for example, accessories like silicone rubber iPhone cases are not made using recycled materials at all. The heat-resistant properties of fluoroelastomer and other materials that are usually fused together, also makes it hard to recycle the cases in the first place.

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brassens

Eco-friendly? I have had multiple silicone cases from apple fall apart over the past 2 years. They are a crap product. If apple can’t make them competently they need to stop!

tht

Interesting. I wonder how well fabric Watch bands will survive washing and drying.

Wonder how far they can go in eliminating certain plastics from their products. Some of it can be recycled (PCB plastic), but things like AirPods shells? Move to aluminum?

mikethemartian

I would think the whole point of making a protective case would be to make something that won’t degrade due to environmental conditions.

baconstang

You know what's "eco-friendly"?  Not making a phone case obsolete every year because of small changes to iPhones.
I have an original SE that I keep around. The case on it was on my 5S prior, and on my girlfriends 5 before that.  So, this silicone case has been in use for about 10 years.
When I bought a 12 mini, the fact that the case for it would not transfer to a 13 mini was part of the reason I still have the 12 mini...

zeus423

My wife has an Otter Box. I hate it because it's so slippery.

I liked my Apple blue silicone case, but it didn't hold up. For a replacement, I went with a generic silicone case. It works the same, provides just the right amount of grip, and it's quiet when I set the phone down on a surface.

StrangeDays

baconstang said:

You know what's "eco-friendly"?  Not making a phone case obsolete every year because of small changes to iPhones.
I have an original SE that I keep around. The case on it was on my 5S prior, and on my girlfriends 5 before that.  So, this silicone case has been in use for about 10 years.
When I bought a 12 mini, the fact that the case for it would not transfer to a 13 mini was part of the reason I still have the 12 mini...

Nobody is expected to upgrade their iPhones every year just because there’s a new one. Techies and enthusiasts may, but normals don’t. I myself now only go every couple years. iPhones have a fantastic useful lifespan and can be used for many years (or resold for good cash)

indigohomme

Replacing Silicone with plastic is not remotely eco-friendly.

Silicone is inert, durable and does not abrade to micro/nano-particles, unlike plastic.

Nano-plastic can pass through cell membranes.

When all babies are born with cancer, Apple can pat itself on the back and congratulate itself on its contribution to this.

tht

indigohomme said:

Replacing Silicone with plastic is not remotely eco-friendly.

Silicone is inert, durable and does not abrade to micro/nano-particles, unlike plastic.

Nano-plastic can pass through cell membranes.

When all babies are born with cancer, Apple can pat itself on the back and congratulate itself on its contribution to this.

The rumor mill is saying that Apple will have "Finewoven" cases and straps. I think that implies a fabric of some kind with a compostable glue substrate to make it rigid. 

welshdog

We started using Pela cases last year on our iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. They work well, have the right level of grippiness without being overyly so, and have successfully protected both phones from drops. The big plus is that the cases will break down in a compost pile without leaving any hazardous compounds behind - they are fully compostable instead of merely biodegradable.

Would be interesting to see Apple carry Pela cases in the Apple Store.

kdupuis77

welshdog said:

We started using Pela cases last year on our iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. They work well, have the right level of grippiness without being overyly so, and have successfully protected both phones from drops. The big plus is that the cases will break down in a compost pile without leaving any hazardous compounds behind - they are fully compostable instead of merely biodegradable.

Would be interesting to see Apple carry Pela cases in the Apple Store.

Give this eye-opener a watch then: https://youtu.be/96edx7p9KIQ?si=b5BjUq0gjBOFfXIg

jellyapple

Don’t be stupid. The key is not about using “recycle” material, it’s all about using “recyclable” material, or naturally disintegratable and harmless material. I don’t know about synthetic watch bands, but leather-made products are perfect and have been made and used for tens of millions of years.