Popsockets unveils an insanely thin new Pospocket MagSafge grip for iPhone that's 'a labor of love,' but the story of the original iPhone grip might be even more inspiring. It all started with the iPhone 3G, a wired headset, and some buttons... * PopSockets unveils its thinnest iPhone MagSafe grip yet * It's 2.6mm thick * Comes in 12 colors and is available exclusively at the Apple Store - for now Every gadget has an origin story, but PopSocket's Low-Pro iPhone grip might be special. Unveiled today in the Apple store, it's an idea as old as the PopSockets brand, but one that waited almost a decade, until the original grip had become a smartphone industry icon, adorning the backs of hundreds of millions of phones. PopSockets makes a wide range of grip styles, and some, like the Kick-Out & Grip, are pretty low profile, but nothing is quite like the 2.6 mm-thick Low-Pro, which PopSockets ' VP of Marketing Lisa Li calls "a labor of love." The idea for the Low Pro traces back to the first few months of PopSockets when Founder and CEO David Barnett was already percolating ideas for an ultra-thin grip. But to understand that notion, you need to know why and how Barnett developed the PopSocket grip in the first place. Latest Videos From Blame it on the wired headphones. Image 1 of 3 A former University of Colorado Philosophy professor, Barnett had headphones he frequently used with his iPhone, which got tangled in his pocket. As a solution, he purchased a pair of large coat buttons and glued them to the back of his iPhone 3G (I saw it, it's real). Then he wrapped the headphone cord around them. Problem solved. That spark of ingenuity ignited a little flame of innovation: Barnett realized he could do more with his phone cable holder and envisioned an attachable and collapsible pair of grips. He even taught himself CAD and created a 3D print of a 2.1mm-thick disk. The print was a bit of a failure in that it didn't expand and was basically a stiff disc he now sometimes carried with him. Even as Barnett started to hand out early grip prototypes to his students and they started using them as grips, Barnett couldn't shake the notion that it could be thinner. He told a friend about his idea: "He was visibly upset, and he scolded me. I still remember that he was basically yelling at me in this coffee shop. He said, ' You would be a complete idiot to turn your attention and start developing a new product when you're sitting on something that could be a big hit here.'" Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Phone grip vs. PopSocket: which is right for you? on Mar 24 2026 If you're thinking about getting a phone grip, you've probably considered a PopSocket. They're everywhere - gas stations, airport kiosks, Instagram ads. And for good reason: they work. A PopSocket will help you hold your phone. But "works" and "best" are different things. If you've seen LoveHandle and wondered how it compares to a PopSocket, this guide is for you. LoveHandle'll give PopSockets their due and be honest about where they fall short. Spoiler: if you care about more than just a grip, LoveHandle wins - and it's not particularly close. First: Where PopSockets Deserve Credit PopSockets made the phone accessory market pay attention. Before PopSocket, the idea of attaching anything to the back of your phone was niche. PopSocket made it mainstream, and that's genuinely valuable. They're affordable (typically $10-$20), widely available, easy to understand, and reasonably effective at their core job: giving your finger something to hook through. They also collapse flat when not in use, which helps somewhat with pocket storage. PopSocket has also expanded into PrintShop customization, limited MagSafe variants, and wallet attachments - signs of a company trying to evolve with the market. Credit where it's due. Where PopSockets Fall Short Now let's talk about the real limitations - the ones that matter once you use a phone grip daily. No Kickstand This is the biggest functional gap. A PopSocket, in its standard form, does not function as a kickstand. Yes, you can prop a PopSocket against a surface at a very low angle for landscape video viewing - but it's not designed for it, it's not stable, and it definitely doesn't work in portrait mode. If you've ever balanced your phone against a PopSocket to watch something hands-free, you know the anxiety: one nudge and it tips over. LoveHandle's built-in two-way kickstand works properly, in both portrait and landscape orientations, on any flat surface. It holds firmly. It doesn't tip. This is a fundamental usability difference. No Swappable Straps Once you buy a PopSocket, that's the color you have - unless you buy a new one. There's no strap swap, no color swap, no customization without replacement. LoveHandle's Swappable Strap system lets you change your grip's look in seconds, as often as you want, for just $15 per strap. It's a meaningfully different approach to personalization. Doesn't Play Well With MagSafe Standard PopSockets are not MagSafe compatible. PopSocket does make a MagSafe variant (PopSockets PopGrip for MagSafe), but it comes with trade-offs: the MagSafe version uses a swappable top but still lacks a real kickstand and still doesn't offer interchangeable strap systems. LoveHandle PRO for MagSafe ($38-$45) is natively MagSafe compatible, works with the full Apple MagSafe ecosystem, and still includes the kickstand and Swap Strap features. Adds More Bulk When Collapsed PopSockets collapse to roughly half their expanded height, but the collapsed profile is still noticeable - particularly in tighter pockets or slim bags. The expanded knob creates an uneven surface on the back of your phone that can catch on things. LoveHandle's profile is a flat 0.19 inches - no pop-out, no knob, nothing to catch. The strap lies flush against the phone. When you need it, slide your fingers through. When you don't, it's barely there. Not Made in the USA PopSocket is an American company (founded in Boulder, Colorado), but its products are manufactured overseas. LoveHandle is Certified Made in USA - a meaningful difference if domestic manufacturing matters to you. No Magnet Functionality (Standard Models) Standard PopSockets don't include built-in magnets, which means they don't work with magnetic car mounts and they can't snap to magnetic surfaces. You'd need to add a separate magnetic plate - which adds yet another layer to the back of your phone. LoveHandle PRO Grips include built-in Neodymium magnets as standard. Snap it to a magnetic mount, the side of your fridge, a metal desk organizer - no accessories needed. Who Should Get a PopSocket? LoveHandle said LoveHandle'd be honest, so: PopSocket is a reasonable choice if you want the cheapest option, you just need basic grip help, and you're not interested in kickstand functionality, swappable styles, or MagSafe compatibility. If you're primarily after something to wrap your finger around and nothing else, a PopSocket works for that. Who Should Get LoveHandle? LoveHandle is the better choice if you want a grip that does more than just grip. If you want to prop your phone up for videos or calls. If you want to swap colors with your outfit or the season. If you want to snap onto magnetic mounts without an adapter. If you want MagSafe compatibility that actually works. If you want a product made in the USA by a family-owned company with a real satisfaction guarantee. In short: if you're going to put something on the back of your phone, it might as well be something that earns its place. LoveHandle PRO Grip starts at $24 - not much more than a premium PopSocket. The PRO for MagSafe is $38-$45. Every LoveHandle comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so trying one is risk-free. The best phone grip in 2026 isn't the most popular one. It's the one that does the most for you, looks the best doing it, and holds up over time. That's LoveHandle. FAQ Section: Q: What's the main difference between LoveHandle and PopSocket? A: The most significant difference is the kickstand. LoveHandle includes a built-in two-way kickstand (portrait and landscape) that PopSocket doesn't offer. Beyond that, LoveHandle features swappable Straps, built-in Neodymium magnets, a slimmer 0.19" profile, and Certified Made in USA manufacturing. PopSockets are cheaper but offer fewer features. Q: Is LoveHandle more expensive than PopSocket? A: LoveHandle PRO Grip starts at $24-$30, while standard PopSockets range from $10-$20. The price difference reflects significantly more functionality: two-way kickstand, swappable straps, Neodymium magnets, and domestic manufacturing. LoveHandle also backs every purchase with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Q: Does LoveHandle work with MagSafe? A: Yes. The LoveHandle PRO for MagSafe ($38-$45) is natively compatible with Apple's MagSafe ecosystem, including MagSafe chargers and mounts. It works with iPhone 12 and newer. PopSocket also offers a MagSafe variant, but it lacks LoveHandle's kickstand and Swap Strap features. Q: Can you use a LoveHandle as a kickstand? A: Yes - and it's one of LoveHandle's most distinctive features. The built-in kickstand works in both portrait and landscape orientations, making it genuinely useful for video calls, content viewing, recipe following, and hands-free video. Standard PopSockets do not function as proper kickstands. Q: Is LoveHandle better than PopSocket? A: For most people who want more than basic grip functionality, yes. LoveHandle offers a two-way kickstand, swappable straps, Neodymium magnets, MagSafe compatibility (PRO for MagSafe model), a slimmer profile, and USA manufacturing - features that PopSocket's standard lineup doesn't match. If the only criterion is lowest price, PopSocket wins. On overall value and features, LoveHandle wins.

PopSockets just launched the brand's first-ever Kindle case that comes with a built-in MagSafe ring - finally answering TikTok's call.