Apple is now selling a fabric iPhone case for almost 70 dollars. And honestly, after the entire FineWoven disaster, I had absolutely no hope for this product.
Because when I think about fabric, I don’t think about protection. I think about scratches, dirt and wear over time.
Still, Apple claims that this new TechWoven Case is supposed to be a premium case. So I wanted to know: How protective is Apple’s new fabric case really? And what happens during a real drop test?
So we put a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max worth around $1450 inside the case and tested it.
First Impressions of the Apple TechWoven Case
Visually, Apple definitely did a good job. The case looks unique and feels surprisingly premium in the hand. Compared to typical silicone cases, the woven texture gives it a much more interesting look and feel.
Apple also includes MagSafe support, metal buttons and a dedicated camera control button.
One thing I really liked were the buttons. They feel clicky and precise — honestly better than many third-party cases I’ve tested recently.
The cutouts are also perfectly aligned and the case works fine with screen protectors. During my testing, I used a large edge-to-edge ROXX screen protector that covers all the way into the corners.
If you are currently searching for a new case, you should definitely check out this guide about buying the best iPhone 17 Pro cases.
The Advantages of the TechWoven Case
- Unique premium design
- High-quality finish
- Hard case construction
- Display protection
- Camera protection
- MagSafe support
- Integrated camera button
- Excellent metal buttons
- Perfect cutouts
- Compatible with screen protectors
The Biggest Problems With the TechWoven Case
Unfortunately, the case also has some serious weaknesses.
The first issue is the inside of the case. Apple completely removed any soft microfiber lining or inner protection layer. For a premium case at this price point, I honestly expected much more protection inside the case itself.
Another issue is the front lip around the display. The TechWoven Case does not offer a lot of raised screen protection, which later became a serious problem during the drop test.
And of course, there is also the price. Spending almost 70 dollars on a fabric case is a lot — especially considering how many cheaper third-party options already exist.
If you also want better display protection, this comparison of the best iPhone 17 Pro screen protectors reviewed is definitely worth reading.
The Real Drop Test
Now comes the interesting part.
We dropped the iPhone 17 Pro Max with the TechWoven Case three times onto concrete from 1.20 meters. We also measured the impact force so we could compare the results with other cases later.
The Results
- 66 m/s
- 175 m/s
- 195 m/s
The average result was around 14.5G.
Those numbers are actually not terrible.
But the real problem was something else entirely.
The case simply does not fit tightly enough around the iPhone.
During the harder impacts, the iPhone literally jumped out of the case. And honestly, that is probably the worst possible thing that can happen during a drop test.
Ironically, the case itself survived almost without scratches. But the iPhone definitely would not have survived without the ROXX screen protector covering the edges of the display.
Is Apple’s TechWoven Case Worth It?
Honestly, this feels like a very typical Apple product.
It looks premium.
It feels premium.
But when it comes to actual protection, there are some real compromises.
If you mainly care about aesthetics, MagSafe and premium materials, you will probably like this case.
But if your main goal is protecting your expensive iPhone, there are already much better options available — often for much less money.
Because at the end of the day, even the nicest premium case becomes useless if your iPhone can literally fall out during a hard drop.