Apple

This is the first official Apple case I've bought in ages, not since they made the leather ones. I usually don't even use a case, but I started with my 16 Pro Max and a well-known brand. I needed a case fast for my new 17 Pro Max, and this one could be shipped the next day. It's minimalist, feels nice and grippy, and is an all-around great case. My only complaint is that it fits a bit loosely, which is why I gave it four stars. I'm a little worried the phone could pop out if I drop it hard enough—but it's still a really nice case. I actually like it so much that I'm not sure I'll switch to my other case when it arrives in a couple of weeks.

I've been using this Apple Watch for a few days now and I'm honestly impressed. I mainly got it to help me stay on top of my fitness goals and notifications without always being on my phone, and it has done exactly that. The functionality is super smooth. It syncs easily with my iPhone, tracks my workouts accurately, and even gives me gentle reminders to stand or breathe when I’ve been sitting for too long (which I actually appreciate more than I thought I would). I’ve also used it to control my music, check texts, and even answer calls when my hands are full. It's so convenient. The battery life is great. I can get a full day's use without worrying, and sometimes it even lasts into the next day if I forget to charge it overnight. I was a little worried about scratching it up since I wear it every day, but so far the screen has held up really well with no scratches, even with some light bumps here and there. The black band in the small/medium size fits comfortably and looks sleek.

I had honestly given up hope that the Apple Watch would ever last more than a day. It had always topped out at eighteen hours for as long as I’ve been wearing one, and at some point, I just accepted that daily charging was part of the deal. Low Power Mode gave me a little extra time, but it felt like a bit of a compromise. For me, the increased battery life is the most significant improvement. The jump from LTE to 5G is a huge win for people who use their smartwatch without their phone. The new high blood pressure alerts could be life-changing, but I was more impressed to learn this feature isn’t exclusive to the Series 11.