Apple to end leather sales with new iPhone 15, Apple Watch bands

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Leather no more.

Sport loop
(Image credit: Apple)
iPHONE 15: What you need to know

Teaser image for Apple Wonderlust event

(Image credit: Apple)

- Apple Event - LIVE updates
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Pro /iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Apple Watch Series 9 / Ultra 2
- iOS 17
- watchOS 10

As of today, Apple is entirely ending support for leather accessories. This includes cases for the upcoming iPhone 15 line and Watch bands for the Apple Watch Series 9.

This is one of many updates Apple announced in order to make the company entirely carbon-neutral. Given leather leads to a huge carbon footprint, this small seeming step could make a huge difference. FineWoven watch bands seem designed to replace the leather band, and Apple is furthering its commitment to the environment by making all future Watch bands from recycled units. 

As this change is taking place from today, we haven't received any news on older Watch bands and cases. Once Apple is out of stock, they likely won't be replenished. 

No More Leather

As reported last month, Apple's relationship with Hermes will change with this news as Apple's biggest leather accessory maker. The new FineWoven material will take the place of leather bands but this is not the only place the company is updating its watch band range.

The current loop style will be getting a special confetti look with old band watches used in the frame. They are effectively cut up and put into the band itself, showing a display of color. This will give a unique effect where no two bands are the same. This commitment to environmentally conscious design means that future bands will have a bit more personality. 

This is a developing news story, refresh for updates...

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 15 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, iOS 17and watchOS 10 coverage so far.

James Bentley
James Bentley

James is a staff writer and general Jack of all trades at iMore. With news, features, reviews, and guides under his belt, he has always liked Apple for its unique branding and distinctive style. Originally buying a Macbook for music and video production, he has since gone on to join the Apple ecosystem with as many devices as he can fit on his person. 

With a degree in Law and Media and being a little too young to move onto the next step of his law career, James started writing from his bedroom about games, movies, tech, and anything else he could think of. Within months, this turned into a fully-fledged career as a freelance journalist. Before joining iMore, he was a staff writer at Gfinity and saw himself published at sites like TechRadar, NME, and Eurogamer. 

As his extensive portfolio implies, James was predominantly a games journalist before joining iMore and brings with him a unique perspective on Apple itself. When not working, he is trying to catch up with the movies and albums of the year, as well as finally finishing the Yakuza series. If you like Midwest emo music or pretentious indie games that will make you cry, he’ll talk your ear off.