Apple TechWoven Case: 1 Year Later… Is It Worth $59?
It’s been about a year since Apple released the TechWoven cases for the iPhone 17 Pro, and I’ve used one pretty much the entire time. At $60, a premium Apple case can feel expensive, so here’s how it’s held up, and how Apple handled a warranty issue.
First: it’s held up way better than its predecessor, the FineWoven case. That case was a disaster. And you can usually find TechWoven on sale on Amazon.
The wear
This is my unvarnished, fully used case. It has battle scars, like the Reykjavik roll in Iceland and countless drops on cement when it slid off my truck seat or missed my pocket. There are dings, light scratches, maybe some discoloration, and the material is separating a bit around the USB-C cutout.
On the back is a ring from my PopSocket, which, as an aside, is my favorite iPhone accessory ever. It’s always on my phone: easier to hold, a fidget device, and a stand. I think the ring would be there regardless, since I MagSafe charge at night, in my vehicles, and at the office. All of that is normal everyday wear.
The woven fabric still doesn’t absorb oils or grease. I have really dry skin and use lotions, oils and sunscreen, and there are no oily areas where I hold it, no weird stains, and it hasn’t become a gross collection of everything that’s been on my hands for a year.
The biggest flaw: bubbling
Just below the buttons, on the side TPU, the case started bubbling about a month ago, and it’s gotten slightly worse. It’s nowhere else, and there’s nothing inside the case to explain it.
How the iPhone held up
The lip around the display, plus the 17 Pro’s updated Ceramic Shield, completely protected my screen. I haven’t used a screen protector at all, I put my phone face down all the time, and as far as I can tell there isn’t even a micro-scratch. The raised edge protected the camera plateau too: no scratches, dings or dents on the aluminum or the lenses.
I took it out of the case. The case is gross inside, with skin and dust, so you can tell it’s been used. But the iPhone looks almost brand new, maybe some dirt to wipe off, no damage at all. A lot of people worried that the case has no microfiber lining, but after a year of gunk getting in there, I don’t see a single scratch on the back.
Why I still like it
The woven back and textured TPU sides feel secure, it’s easy to pick up off a flat surface, and it doesn’t want to slide out of my hand. I prefer the full bottom coverage, especially when the phone goes rolling down the street, and it hasn’t hurt my swiping. I still run my nails over the texture after a year. Those marks just wipe off. The aluminum buttons are clicky and tactile and have somehow avoided dings from all the falls. And there are Apple’s extras, like the color pop-up and home screen tinting to match the case.
Would I recommend it? Yes, for sure. I like just about everything about it. With rumors of updated TechWoven colors for the iPhone 18 Pro, it’ll be an instant buy for me.
The warranty replacement
Apple support replaced the case because of the bubbling. I started a chat in the Support app, sent photos and my receipt, and they confirmed it was a warranty issue. The process was a little weird: after approving it, they wanted me to pick up the case at an Apple Store, where a few years ago they just mailed me one. You can also book a Genius Bar appointment or walk in and ask for a warranty replacement, and if they agree, they’ll just give you a new case.
Links
- TechWoven iPhone 18 Pro
- TechWoven iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Silicone case for iPhone 18 Pro/Max
- Clear case for iPhone 18 Pro/Max
- TechWoven iPhone 17 Pro
- TechWoven iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Get a PopSocket
- Slimmest Qi2 MagSafe battery
In this video
- 00:00 Apple TechWoven Case after one year
- 00:20 TechWoven vs. FineWoven
- 00:35 One year of drops and damage
- 00:59 MagSafe and PopSocket wear
- 01:28 The bubbling problem
- 02:00 Oils, lotions and stains
- 02:30 How well it protected the iPhone
- 03:14 Taking the iPhone out
- 03:20 One year of dirt and buildup
- 03:38 Checking the iPhone for damage
- 04:55 TechWoven texture and grip
- 05:46 Apple’s aluminum buttons
- 06:02 Apple case exclusive features
- 06:17 Is the TechWoven Case worth it?
- 06:44 Apple warranty replacement experience
- 07:22 Final thoughts
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. See my ethics statement.
