Apple could be set to ditch its leather strap provision for the Apple Watch range.
Last week we reported on the claims that Apple was planning to do away with leather cases with the forthcoming iPhone 15 line. Now it’s being claimed that it will extend this leather cull to the Apple Watch and its fancy range of cowhide straps.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman – ever a reliable source of Apple-based tips – has tweeted that Apple has been offering its expensive Hermes Apple Watch straps to employees at a discounts of up to 90%.
Such a move smacks of inventory clearing, and indeed, Gurman claims that stock for these leather accessories is now running low.
Last week saw leaked images and details emerge concerning a new synthetic leather material that Apple was working on. Apparently, Apple will debut this ‘FineWoven’ material in the forthcoming iPhone 15 case line-up.
All very laudable from an animal welfare point of view, of course. As we noted in our previous piece, however, it remains to be seen if this new woven material is more sustainable in a wider sense. Apple still offers silicone cases and clear plastic cases, of course, which are completely non-biodegradable and harder to recycle.
Apple has been one of the front runners in the push towards more responsible manufacturing and packaging, so we wouldn’t be surprised if a move away from leather is just the beginning of a wider accessory overhaul.
All will presumably be revealed on September 12, when Apple is scheduled to hold an event to launch both the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch 9 lines – presumably absent any hint of leather.
