I did not expect half of the leather to peel off.

That is not the same thing as patina, which is a real but different thing.

Are you sure? Apple failed to make any distinction between the two.

I've owned several. (and am sad I'll never buy another)

Aside from hard drops, I've never had that experience. My current one has worn down a bit where my finger usually rests on the back, but the leather is fully intact.

Any chance you may have gotten ahold of a fake one? I've seen several online which have very convincing packaging, like this eBay listing:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/355320108334

> Any chance you may have gotten ahold of a fake one?

Not unless store.apple.com got MITMed. Someone else on the thread says they changed materials at some point; maybe you have one of the originals?

My current one is from the last year they made them, for the 14 Pro Max.

None of this has anything to do with the Tesla Cybertruck.

I fully expect Tesla to similarly talk about how the Cybertruck will acquire a patina and that such a thing is entirely expected.

Not all leather is equal. Sounds like Apple is using cheap split grain or bonded leather.

https://www.popovleather.com/blogs/from-the-workshop/the-ult...