Apple might discontinue silicone accessories for iPhone and Apple Watch

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A new rumor claims Apple could discontinue all its silicone-based accessories this week, replacing them with more eco-friendly materials.

The company strives to reduce the impact of its products on the environment, and this could be the latest move on that front.

Time to bid goodbye to Apple’s silicone accessories

The rumor comes from a reliable source, according to MacRumors. It appears Apple will discontinue all its silicone-based accessories, including the iPhone Silicone Case, Apple Watch Sport bands and AirTag Loop. Another rumor suggests Apple will discontinue its leather iPhone cases as well. Instead, new cases will use a more premium “FineWoven” material.

Apple apparently plans to use the same next-generation material on bands for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. There’s no word on how premium it will feel, or what other benefits Apple’s FineWoven material will offer.

However, Apple won’t immediately stop selling silicone cases for its older iPhones. They will remain on sale but may not get new color options. It might also not send new units for some accessories once the existing stocks run out.

It also appears that Hermès Apple Watch accessories have been discontinued. The French luxury design house has removed all mentions of Apple Watch accessories from its website.

Hermès has completely removed the Apple Watch from its website. Bands are gone too. None of them show up in search either. AirTags are still listed though.

First image is what’s live, second is what it used to be… https://t.co/GT9MZMZAr9 pic.twitter.com/peNCDauvPw

— Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani) September 10, 2023

Another eco-friendly move from Apple

It seems clear that Apple intends to discontinue its leather and silicone cases for environmental reasons. Over the years, the company has taken several steps to make its products more eco-friendly. It reduced the use of plastics to just 4% in 2021 in product packaging. And by 2025, it aims to eliminate the use of plastics from its packaging completely.

In its 2023 Environmental Progress Report, Apple highlighted its increased use of recycled materials and how it has reduced emissions by 45% since 2015. By 2025, the company aims to use magnets made with 100% recycled materials and source 100% cobalt from recycled sources for batteries. Apple also hopes to reach its net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2030.

Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to know what Apple has in store. Its “Wonderlust” event is scheduled to take place in just over a day from now.