PopSockets has unveiled an updated version of its MagSafe grip, now designed to support vertical phone positioning for activities like scrolling through TikTok or participating in video calls. The new PopSockets Kick-Out Grip and Stand is only slightly thicker than the current MagSafe PopGrips, at less than a millimeter, as noted by founder David Barnett. This model features a hinge that allows the pop-up grip to fold out, doubling as a stand.
Starting today, the Kick-Out Grip and Stand is available for purchase on the PopSockets online store for $39.99, offered in shades such as black, dusk, putty, and latte. Additionally, it can be found on Best Buy’s website and in stores, featuring two exclusive colors: French navy and silver, both with a lustrous metal finish. If those colors don’t suit your taste, the collapsible grip can easily be twisted off and swapped with others in different colors or designs, similar to previous PopSockets models.
This grip is compatible with iPhones and cases that utilize Apple’s MagSafe system, as well as Android devices and accessories that meet the Qi2 Standard’s Magnetic Power Profile. For older devices that lack wireless charging or those with cases too thick for effective MagSafe use, an included adhesive adapter ensures the Kick-Out Grip and Stand can work with nearly any smartphone.
While PopSocket’s new grip is thicker compared to competitors like the OhSnap Snap 4 and requires complete removal for wireless charging, the Kick-Out offers improved comfort during use, personalization options, and enhanced functionality.
Although the Kick-Out Grip and Stand is the first modern iteration to support vertical phone positioning, it is not the inaugural model. Barnett originally devised a solution for tangled wired earbuds by gluing buttons to his phone, which led to the design of an iPhone 4 case featuring two accordion-style pop-up grips. This design allowed for both headphone storage and the ability to prop up the iPhone both horizontally and vertically.
The introduction of wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods rendered the original dual grip design outdated, yet it didn’t signify the end for the product. “A friend of mine calls me the luckiest man on earth because phones grew into my invention,” shares Barnett. “I created PopSockets to solve the issue of tangled headsets, and it turns out they became an excellent grip.”
As consumer demand shifted, PopSockets streamlined its designs to provide a more secure grip for larger and heavier phones, allowing for one-handed use. With over 285 million grips sold to date, the company’s success may seem fortuitous, but the latest version reflects years of refinement. “Our products are designed to enhance daily phone life by addressing common pain points. I believe this one really delivers,” concludes Barnett.
