Apple Watch leather bands rumored to be discontinued as Series 9 launch nears

We’ve been listening to a variety of rumors when it comes to iPhone and Apple Watch equipment not too long ago, as Apple will be holding a particular occasion subsequent week to introduce new merchandise. And whereas some rumors have claimed that the corporate will substitute the iPhone’s leather circumstances with new ones made from a special materials, plainly one thing comparable might occur with Apple Watch leather bands.

Apple Watch leather bands might disappear for good

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is predicted to “begin moving away from leather on its Apple Watch bands as well,” following a rumor that there’ll be no leather iPhone 15 circumstances made by Apple. More intriguingly, this might additionally put an finish to the partnership between Apple and Hermès that started in 2015.

That’s as a result of, in accordance to Gurman, Apple has been providing reductions of up to 90% on Hermès leather bands to its staff. Typically, when Apple offers big reductions on a product to its staff, it’s an indication that it would be going away quickly – the corporate did the identical with the unique HomePod earlier than discontinuing it in 2021.

Last week, 9to5Mac reported that a number of the official Apple Watch leather bands – together with Modern Buckle and Hermès fashions (that are all made from leather) are offered out on Apple’s web site. The traditional Link Bracelet, which was launched with the unique Apple Watch, can also be now not accessible.

There was some hypothesis on the web final 12 months in regards to the Hermès Apple Watch bands being phased out (which didn’t occur). Apple often introduces new colours for Apple Watch bands with the launch of a brand new era of the product. However, given the whole lot that’s occurring, we’d see a extra radical change on this 12 months’s equipment.

New FineWoven equipment

One of the explanations Apple might have determined to abandon leather for good is the setting, as the leather’s carbon footprint is significantly excessive. Since Apple has at all times positioned itself as an environmentally pleasant firm, it will make sense to cease making leather equipment.

At the identical time, a variety of prospects purchase leather circumstances and bands due to their premium high quality. So would Apple let these shoppers down? Or will we see a brand new materials for these equipment? Of course, Apple may introduce equipment made from artificial leather, however plainly the corporate is on the lookout for different options.

Last month, 9to5Mac heard from sources that Apple was going to introduce new iPhone circumstances made from one other premium materials to substitute leather. Following this report, we noticed photos exhibiting what would be Apple’s new “FineWoven” circumstances for the iPhone 15. If true, these new circumstances are made from a comfortable material materials mixed with common silicone.

Will Apple introduce new “FineWoven” Apple Watch bands? We’ll discover out the reply subsequent Tuesday, September 12, when the corporate holds its particular occasion to announce iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9.