Gizmodo lists 16 tech gifts under $25, tips to extend Apple device battery life

16 affordable tech gifts for the holiday season

Gizmodo’s holiday gift guide features 16 tech products under $25, including accessories for music lovers, gamers, pet owners, and content creators. The list highlights budget-friendly options such as Apple’s $19 USB-C EarPods, Govee Wi-Fi Smart LED Bulbs (compatible with Matter and offering 16 million color options), and TP-Link’s mini smart plugs, which support Apple Home, Alexa, and other platforms.

Other notable products include the Olight iMini 2 flashlight (50 lumens, 21-meter throw), the Pelican 1010 Micro Case (rugged and water-resistant), and the Ulanzi MA60 Magnetic Phone Tripod, used by Gizmodo’s Senior Editor of Consumer Tech, Raymond Wong, for social media content. The guide also includes the $10 Ikea Kallsup wireless speaker, the Potaroma Interactive Cat Feather Toy (rechargeable via USB-C), and the Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad with six adjustable fans.

How to improve iPhone battery life

Engadget debunked a common myth: closing unused apps does not extend iPhone battery life. Instead, managing Background App Refresh—preventing apps from updating in the background—can save power. Apple’s official recommendations include reducing display brightness, keeping Wi-Fi enabled, disabling Always-On Display, and enabling Dark Mode on OLED screens.

Additional features like Adaptive Power (which adjusts battery drain based on usage patterns) and Low Power Mode (triggered automatically at 20% battery) can further optimize performance. Optimized Charging, which pauses charging at 80% until needed, helps prolong battery lifespan by reducing wear.

Apple Watch Theater Mode and battery conservation

Theater Mode, introduced with watchOS 3.2, is designed to minimize distractions in quiet settings like theaters, meetings, or social events. When activated, it dims the Apple Watch display, silences notifications, and prevents the screen from waking with wrist movements. Users still receive haptic feedback, and the mode can suppress certain biometric readings, such as blood oxygen measurements.

Engadget notes that Theater Mode must be toggled manually and does not turn off automatically. Beyond reducing distractions, it can help conserve battery life by preventing the watch from waking unnecessarily.

Maximizing AirTag battery performance

Apple’s AirTag relies on a replaceable CR2032 coin-cell battery, which the company claims lasts over a year. However, frequent use of features like Precision Finding (powered by the Ultra Wideband chip) or sound alerts can drain the battery faster. When the battery is low, functionality like precision finding and sound alerts becomes restricted.

Engadget recommends using high-quality batteries, such as Duracell’s 2032 Lithium Coin Battery, to ensure optimal performance. AirTags operate in temperatures between −4°F and 140°F (−20°C and 60°C), and constant movement can accelerate battery depletion. Replacing the battery costs less than $1.

Steve Jobs’ 2010 remarks on touchscreen laptops

During Apple’s 2010 "Back to the Mac" event, Steve Jobs criticized touchscreen technology for laptops, arguing that using a vertical touchscreen for extended periods would cause physical strain. He famously quipped, "After an extended period of time, your arm wants to fall off." At the time, Microsoft and HP were pushing touchscreen devices like the HP Touchsmart family, but Apple resisted the trend, focusing instead on multi-touch gestures via trackpads and mice.

While Apple later introduced the Touch Bar, it has yet to release a touchscreen MacBook. Recent rumors suggest the company may soon unveil a touchscreen MacBook Pro with an OLED panel, signaling a potential shift in its long-standing stance.

eSIM vs. physical SIM: trade-offs and limitations

Engadget compared eSIM and physical SIM cards, finding no difference in reception or data speed. The primary advantage of eSIMs is convenience—eliminating the need to transfer physical SIMs when switching phones. Compatible devices can store multiple eSIM profiles, simplifying management of personal and work lines. Travelers can also purchase local eSIM plans ahead of time, potentially reducing costs compared to international roaming.

However, eSIMs are not universally superior. Some domestic plans include international roaming, negating eSIM savings. Compatibility is another hurdle: both the phone and carrier must support eSIM technology, and cross-platform transfers (e.g., between iPhone and Android) remain limited. Physical SIMs offer broader compatibility with older or simpler devices, and users can retain both formats if their phone supports dual SIM functionality.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators, these insights reveal practical opportunities and challenges in consumer tech. The demand for affordable, high-utility products—like those in Gizmodo’s gift guide—highlights a market for startups focused on budget-friendly accessories or niche use cases (e.g., pet tech, content creation). The battery-saving tips for Apple devices underscore a persistent pain point for users, suggesting potential for startups to develop tools or hardware that simplify optimization without requiring technical expertise.

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