Hi,

Anyone out there with the new leather case for iPhone 12 series notice that the feel of the new leather case seems somewhat different compared to previous cases (e.g 11/XS/X)?

The finish feels more synthetic, not sure if it's because of any surface coating.

I'm using a saddle brown case myself for my 12 Pro Max and it's the first time that there is absolutely no signs of patina on the case after a week of use, looks as good as new and this baffles me.

It definitely wasn't like that on my previous saddle brown cases, wondering if anyone is experiencing the same on their leather cases especially saddle brown ones.

noticed similar comments to macrumors forums as well:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-leather-cases-patina-proud-photos.2091430/page-140?post=29282055#post-29282055

if it doesn't develop similar patina to previous cases, it would be very disappointing.

or perhaps someone from Apple can comment on this too.

Thanks in advance!

The beautiful journey of Apple’s iPhone leather case

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When I pre-ordered my iPhone 12 back in September, my first instinct was to check on the availability of Apple’s first-party leather case. At the time, Apple made me wait many weeks to use my iPhone 12 without the leather due to a delayed-release cycle, but nonetheless, I waited patiently for it.

That’s because I love Apple’s leather cases. First released in 2013 alongside the iPhone 5s, it instantly became a must-have for any iPhone and leather lover. Though intrigued by it, I didn’t purchase one until the iPhone X in 2017. By then, Apple had perfected the design to the version that it is now.

And it is amazing.

The same attention to detail Apple is known for in its computers and smartphones was put into a leather case. The interior is lined with soft felt material to protect the phone from scratches. The Natural Leather wraps all the way around the edges to cover the entire case. And, by far my favorite feature, the color-matched aluminum buttons deliver a tactileness that few smartphones match, let alone other cases.

Then comes the aging process. This is not an Apple exclusive—it’s a property all leather cases offer as it’s the way leather ages. Over time, leather develops a patina finish that darkens the more you use it. In my opinion, this aging process looks best on the Saddle Brown color. More brightly colored leather ends up looking dirty, while darker colors don’t really show off the patina effect.

It’s a fine line that Saddle Brown walks, but it does so gracefully.

To understand how seriously people take the patina aging process, The Verge’s Dieter Bohn did an entire video on how to cheat the process to get the patina finish in a matter of hours, not months.

The Apple leather case I bought for my iPhone 12 is aging beautifully. It’s still in the early process, more lighter than dark, but the edges are starting to stain slightly, and I love it.

It is only a matter of time before the leather case reaches its sweet spot. I look forward to that day.