The AppleWatch is developed as, sold as, and marketed as an accessory for the iPhone.

It’s is not a standalone device that can work without one.

Yes.

Flashlight. Use it 10+ times a day.

That bit that says your phone will occasionally charge to 100% perhaps??

Think it’s pretty clear language?

One. Only ever had one.

Why would I need more?

Always apple leather, now a Nomad leather (since 15Pro)

Makes it really easy to tell the time, among other things.

How the fck you doing this???

Gotta be wearing it way too low on your wrist. There’s no other way!

Needs to be above (towards shoulder) of your ulnar, like any watch since watches.

Photos.

I use double tap on the back for flashlight, and never take my phone off silent (haven’t since my 3GS).

Ok. No idea then. Phone under warranty still. Get it replaced (repeatedly if necessary) until you don’t have the issue.

That would be the only recommendation for next steps

You have the grid display set to ‘Aspect Ratio’. Change it to square.

This is only a visual representation of the photos. As they have carrying aspect ratios, they cannot display fully in a grid format without spaces (your ‘black bars’)

These bars are not part of the photo, merely the only way to display all of a rectangle within a square space.

The photos themselves are fine.

I’ve seen some bad cases here, but this one is truly in a league of its own.

But to answer the actual question - without.

I’ve run with $2000 - $3000 mechanical watches without cases for decades. What is this compulsion to rubberise the crap out of a sub-$1000 watch?

Get an Ottocast. Super simple wireless CarPlay.

https://preview.redd.it/xyw345z8xk0c1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c8720e4273d29dadc021db2f2796501233a9fe10