If you’re tired of bulky phone accessories getting caught in your pockets, the new PopSockets Low-Pro MagSafe grip is exactly what you’ve been waiting for. Launched first as an Apple exclusive, it later expanded to Best Buy and Target on July 12 and to other retailers on July 29, according to Yanko Design. This insanely thin, 2.6mm iPhone accessory is being called a true “labor of love” by the brand. But the fascinating journey to create this ultra-thin device actually dates back to 2012—long before the original pop-out design became a global cultural phenomenon.
How the PopSockets Low-Pro MagSafe Grip Began
Every iconic gadget has an origin story. Founder and CEO David Barnett, a former philosophy professor, taught himself CAD software and printed a flat 2.1mm prototype that never opened, according to Yanko Design.
That prototype led to the accordion design that eventually took the world by storm, and the concept of a razor-thin grip temporarily took a back seat.
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Designing the PopSockets Low-Pro MagSafe Grip for Skinny Jeans
Over the years, the classic accordion-style grip successfully adorned hundreds of millions of smartphones. Yet, Barnett noticed a consistent piece of feedback from his customers—especially from male users wearing skinny jeans: the traditional grip occasionally snagged when sliding into tight pockets.
While Barnett himself never experienced this pocket-snagging issue, he knew there was a massive market opportunity for a flush, frictionless design. Stripping away the bulk to finally produce the PopSockets Low-Pro MagSafe grip required entirely re-engineering the original two-step accordion expansion.
What Makes the PopSockets Low-Pro MagSafe Grip Stand Out?
So, how did the brand achieve such an incredibly low profile? Instead of the familiar rubber accordion, the PopSockets Low-Pro MagSafe grip uses a new low-profile design that opens in one smooth motion.
Don’t let the 2.6mm thickness fool you. According to Yanko Design, the polymer withstood a 30-pound tensile test, and the grip was tested through 100,000 open and close cycles.
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Priced at $39.99, the new grip is thin enough that MagSafe charging works through it, though at reduced speeds, according to Yanko Design. As an added bonus, the magnetic face is strong enough to mount your iPhone securely to a metal fridge or filing cabinet.
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