Apple's week September 26: first impressions
It's a busy week for Apple nerds as we all get ahold of the latest gear for the first time. As I was writing last week, I was waiting on a delivery of all the new goodies, and hours after that, I was waiting on setup.
Needless to say, I was not in much of a condition to comment on the new hardware at that point. But after a week of use, I'm ready to talk about my experience with what I've purchased.
I helped with the iPhone Air review and wrote the full iPhone 17 Pro Max review in the past few days. Both devices are interesting when considering what Apple's goals are, especially since they're creating a tough choice for users.
For me, the choice is easy – I need the most camera I can get from an iPhone, and the most display. So as always, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the perfect fit for me.
I already covered most of my thoughts on these products in their respective reviews, so go check those out for more detail.
It's going to be a bit of a shorter week for my blog. I've already written more than 10k words on the latest products, so I'm not sure I have a lot to add otherwise. Expect the Apple Watch Ultra 3 review next week as well.
I had a lot to say about the iPhone in the main show this week. There was even more in the AppleInsider+ segment.
The meaning of pro
One of my main focuses for the iPhone 17 Pro Max review and the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3 review is Apple's naming scheme. Pro and Ultra have meant "premium" for consumers for multiple generations, but the meaning of one of those terms is shifting.
It seems Apple wants, and is succeeding at defining the pro iPhone as a truly professional device. I'm not so sure about the Apple Watch Ultra.
Apple's wearable has been at a bit of a stagnation point for multiple iterations, and there's no end in sight. Apple needs the Apple Watch to iterate each year, yet the features themselves aren't changing that much over time.
Even as users get bored of iPhone updates, the Apple Watch is evolving at an even slower rate. I welcome the Apple Watch upgrades like satellite connectivity and battery life, but I wonder if that's enough.
We've not really seen Apple evolve the Apple Watch Ultra beyond its initial feature set. The SOS via Satellite is great and obvious, but it's not that groundbreaking either. Other smartwatches are getting similar features in 2025.
Instead, I see the Apple Watch Ultra 3 as a necessary iterative update. It gets a new processor and more battery to keep up with the Series models. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
My issue lies in the idea that the "Ultra" watch is the premium model. Unlike the iPhone, Apple doesn't seem compelled to introduce new, exclusive features each year to remain relevant.
The lack of true competition in the space seems to be a bad thing for users. You're not really getting a markedly different experience for the price and larger design beyond battery life.
I'll continue to think on these matters in the coming days/weeks. For now, wait for my Apple Watch Ultra 3 review for more.
Otherwise, I'm not interested in commenting on the nonsense going on in the government or other companies. Donate to St. Jude and enjoy your weekend.
