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PopSockets' next act hinges on DTC, TikTok and a bigger product ecosystem. Modern Retail 4h ago amazon walmart target Executive Summary PopSockets wants a bigger grip on the phone accessory market - and it's betting on limited-edition drops, TikTok videos and magnetic products to get it there. Source Lens Industry Context Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence. Impact Level Use this briefing to decide whether your team needs an immediate workflow, policy, or reporting change. Key Stat / Trigger No single quantitative trigger surfaced in this report. Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline. Relevant For Brand Sellers Agencies Full coverage. New DTC toolkit // July 29, 2026 PopSockets' next act hinges on DTC, TikTok and a bigger product ecosystem By Julia Waldow PopSockets PopSockets wants a bigger grip on the phone accessory market - and it's betting on limited-edition drops, TikTok videos and magnetic products to get it there. A large part of PopSockets' strategy hinges on converting younger shoppers, once a major audience for the company. PopSockets - known for its button-shaped, adhesive phone grips - launched in 2014 after raising money via Kickstarter. Initially, it seeded products to middle-schoolers, who used PopSockets to personalize and prop up their phones. The brand also took off when celebrities including Gigi Hadid were spotted using the accessory. In its second year in business, PopSockets inked deals with T-Mobile and Sam's Club. Soon, it expanded into other retailers, including Best Buy and Target, as well as many mom-and-pop stores. PopSockets continued to grow, and sales were pretty good at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, founder David Barnett said. But a couple of years into Covid, PopSockets found itself losing traction with Gen Z - who were once those middle schoolers who had elevated the brand - as 20-somethings started using other phone accessories or no accessories at all. Folks in their 30s and 40s with more disposable income had become eager customers - "We became known as the millennial mom brand," as Barnett put it - but PopSockets wanted to get back to the audience that had helped propel PopSockets forward in the first place. It was then that PopSockets decided to focus on its direct-to-consumer channel and social media presence to reacquaint itself with younger shoppers. It began holding drops on its website once every one to two weeks - something it couldn't do with wholesalers. PopSockets also overhauled its TikTok strategy, pushing out goofy videos like Barnett dressed as a Blue Man and Barnett wearing a pilot costume. What's more, PopSockets started focusing on slimmer, magnetic products that more easily fit into people's pockets; its toothpick-thin Low-Pro launched on July 29 on its website, after a limited-time run at Apple. PopSockets has taken on different forms since its debut more than 10 years ago. Barnett first conceived of the product when looking for a tangle-free way to store his headphones. After gluing two buttons to the back of his phone case, he took PopSockets through 60-70 rounds of prototypes. The company's first product was an adhesive phone grip. Now, in 2026, PopSockets has swappable grips, as well as magnetic options compatible with Apple MagSafe and a host of other lifestyle products, including wallets, chargers and mounts. PopSockets continues to sell in wholesale channels and traces the majority of its revenue to those partners. But the brand sees its website, in particular, as "the tip of the spear" for getting back into Gen Z's good graces, Barnett said in an interview. It's a notable reverse from years ago, he said. "When we started the business, we weren't supposed to mention our website to retailers," he said. "They [said], 'That's competition with Marketplacebeta.' After the pandemic, retailers realized that a brand with a strong DTC presence is a brand they want to have a big presence in their store." After dedicating more merchandising and marketing resources to its DTC business, PopSockets ended up seeing "double-to-triple-digit growth" on its website over the last three years, Barnett said. Consumer Edge, using U. S. credit-card and debit-card data, told Modern Retail that DTC website sales for PopSockets were up 38% year over year in Q1 2026, 16% year over year in Q4 2025 and 32% year over year in Q3 2025. Sales for Q2 2026 were down 6% year over year. One way PopSockets has tried to build sales has been through limited-time drops. The company has print-on-demand capabilities, so it can churn out products featuring licensing deals and collaborations quickly. The drops are featured on a "coming soon" tab of its website; upcoming launches include "Rudimentary" (Aug. 6 at 12 a. m. MST) and "Sew Cute" (Aug. 19 at 12 a. m. MST). Customers can sign up to receive a notification when the drop goes live. "People are just curious what the next drop is, so it keeps engagement up," Barnett said. "It also allows the marketing machine to keep content fresh, because every time we have a new offering, we have a fresh set of creative out there on Meta, or wherever we're advertising, and it will perform better." PopSockets has also changed the way it approaches TikTok. For years, Barnett - once a philosophy professor at the University of Colorado Boulder - visited campus and heard that students weren't satisfied with the brand's soc Original Source This briefing is based on reporting from Modern Retail. Use the original post for full primary-source context. LinkedIn Post Generator

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.