On one hand, cattle production is not great on the above points. On the other hand, I heard that leather is a by-product of the meat industry - i.e. the cattle would be raised either way.
Sure, but still seem worth it!
Right now the by-product generates additional profit per animal. If we all stop using leather, the by-product becomes a liability and they need to do something else with it that costs them money.
All of this means to retain their initial profit per animal, the cost is transferred to the meat consumer. Which in turn might help drive sustainability through lower meat consumption.
The good thing about it is that it doesn't require raising and killing an animal.
Bad things include that it's made from petrochemicals and does not biodegrade.
Doesn't seem like a clear win for ecology.
I've been using their leather cases for years. I think the newer versions are lower quality than the old ones. I wouldn't buy another one now even if they kept making them.
All of the good reasons you mentioned aside, if Apple's not going to make their leather goods top-quality, then it's better to drop the line altogether.
I understand the animal rights perspective here. The eco perspective is that with a little care you can make leather goods last a very long time.