Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

MagSafe PopSockets are life changing, and on sale for Black Friday

If you have an iPhone 12 or later, then your iPhone has one of the best features that Apple recently introduced for the iPhone: MagSafe. With MagSafe, there is essentially a ring of magnets in the back of the iPhone, which means your phone can magnetically attach itself to (or vice versa) a plethora of MagSafe-compatible accessories, including chargers, battery packs, phone grips, mounts, mobile tripods, and so much more. Honestly, MagSafe is one of those iPhone hardware features that I simply cannot live without anymore, and I really wish Android manufacturers would copy it so that it becomes an industry standard.

But what’s one of my most-used MagSafe accessories? That’s easy: PopSockets PopGrip for MagSafe. This handy little thing practically lives on my iPhone 14 Pro the entire day, and I only take it off when I need to use another MagSafe accessory, like my car mount. It’s my most-used MagSafe accessory, and right now you can grab it for 20% off at Amazon, as well as the PopSockets website, bringing it down to just $24 from the original $30 price tag.

Why you should buy a PopGrip for MagSafe

PopGrips attached to two iPhones.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

PopSockets have been around for a long time now, and when they first came out, I thought they were pretty dumb to be honest. I mean, why would I want to stick this round thing on my phone and not be able to lay it flat on a surface? But then I bought one, and boy, these things are game-changers.

With a PopSocket PopGrip, I found it so much easier to hold my phone with one hand. I bought my first PopGrip with an iPhone XS, which had a 5.8-inch screen. I loved the size, even if it was still a little big for my small, petite hands. Though it is definitely better than the current 6.1-inch size of my iPhone 14 Pro, I still struggled with one-handed use. Once I put a PopGrip on, it was more manageable. Plus, I could use the PopGrip as a makeshift stand if I wanted to.

But there was one thing I didn’t like about PopGrips: they stuck on your device using adhesive. Though it’s easy enough to reposition it if need be, it would be a pain in the butt to do it constantly if you use wireless chargers or car mounts, or even just change phone cases often. I’d also get worried about the adhesive wearing out, and then it wouldn’t “stick” as well.

The PopSockets PopGrip for MagSafe changes all of that. It has a larger, pill-shaped “base” to accommodate for the magnet placement on the iPhone itself, or any compatible MagSafe case. But since it uses magnets to attach itself, rather than adhesive, it is easy to take it off when you need to, and then just slap it back on. This is much easier than the adhesive, which can wear out over time — but my MagSafe PopGrip is still going strong over a year later!

You can also swap out those PopTops

iPhone 14 Pro with Speck MagSafe Presidio Grip case on, with a black PopSocket MagSafe with Walt Disney World 50th Celebration PopSocket, along with a collection of MagSafe battery packs and PopTops.
Christine Romero-Chan/Digital Trends

Another thing I really love about PopSockets is the fact that there are so many cool designs. I have acquired a decent collection of Disney PopSockets (with a little bit of Marvel) and though the PopGrip for MagSafe doesn’t have Disney-specific designs, I can simply swap out the tops. The MagSafe PopGrip comes with a swappable top, so you can just use the base and put your favorite PopTop on, giving your iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 a dash of personality!

The design choice for the PopGrip for MagSafe is rather limited in terms of colors and patterns, unfortunately. Though I have a few different colors in my collection, I have been using the solid black one regularly — black looks good with anything, after all. The black one doesn’t detract from whichever PopTop I’m showing off either.

PopSockets for all

Though I’ve been going on about the MagSafe-specific PopGrip (there is also a MagSafe PopWallet+ as well), PopSockets currently has 20% off everything on its website. This includes not only the MagSafe collection, but phone cases, mounts, the entire selection of various PopGrip designs, including the new Dimensionals premium grips, Disney, holiday, Anker MagGo battery pack with integrated PopGrip, and more.

Basically, if you need a fantastic grip on your iPhone or Android smartphone, look no further than PopSockets. There are so many to choose from, and they will definitely turn heads with style while still being functional.

Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
Google just announced Android 16. Here’s everything new
The Android 16 logo on a smartphone, resting on a shelf.

No, that headline isn't a typo. A little over a month after Android 15 was released to the masses in October, Google has already announced Android 16 and begun rolling out its first developer beta of the newest Android version.

If this seems like a much earlier release than usual, that's because it is. We typically expect the first developer beta of the next Android update to arrive in February. For Android 16, however, Google has pushed the timeline up by a few months and launched Android 16 Developer Preview 1 in mid-November.
Why Android 16 is launching so much earlier

Read more
Here’s every Pixel phone that can download Android 16 Developer Preview 1
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL next to the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Even though Android 15 launched only recently, Google is already moving on to Android 16, which is much earlier than is typical. And if you have a Pixel device from the past couple of years, you can get the Android 16 Developer Preview 1 right now.

Typically, when Google releases a beta for Android, the Pixel lineup gets it first before any other phones. When Google announced Android 16 earlier today, we didn’t know exactly which Pixel models would be able to get the Developer Preview. But Google just revealed which models can run Android 16, and two of them are a bit surprising.

Read more
Save $45 on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch during this early Black Friday sale
Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch used while surfing

If you love the great outdoors and big adventures, you already know that you need rugged equipment to keep up. Anything fragile or testy will break down easily when subjected to the elements. Something like a smartwatch, for example, needs to be tough, water-resistant, and ready to take on the world. Allow me to introduce the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch, built from the ground up figuratively for the outdoors. Able to withstand temperatures from 158 degrees Fahrenheit down to negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit, this beast of a machine will definitely keep up. It's also on sale right now for Black Friday. Normally $280, it's yours for just $235 -- saving you $45. That deal is only good until November 27, however, so don't wait too long if you're interested.
Shop Now
 
Why shop this Black Friday deal on the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch

If you want a solid, in-depth look at the watch, be sure to check out Andy Boxall's hands-on with the Amazfit T-Rex 3. He agrees it's rough, tough, and capable, and even ditched his Apple Watch for it. He also praises the watch for its intelligent design, solid functionality, and accessible price. Speaking of accessible price, with this Black Friday deal Amazfit is offering the T-Rex 3 smartwatch is more affordable than ever. It shaves $45 off the regular price, bringing it down to a reasonable $235.

Read more