PopSockets Phone Grip (Wood) Review
If you follow Chester from Music Photo Life on his Instagram, you will often see a funny looking round thing on the back of the phones he is using. This thing is called PopSockets and it is a grip for your smartphone, which also doubles as a phone stand.
There are two versions of PopSockets, one with cover made of plastic and the costlier version is made out of more "premium" materials like wood and aluminum. I bought a wood one at Popular BookFest 2017 for S$19.60 (U.P. S$24.50) and here is my review of the PopSockets.
Design & Build Quality - Exquisite, Smart & Durable
There are multiple designs and materials for the PopSockets and the one I have here is made of wood, with a metal (aluminum I think) frame surrounding the sides. This is actual wood, polished like your wooden furniture. The all metal ones look fantastic too.
I did notice though that the wood on mine is not perfectly round, with one small flat part on the side. This leaves a small gap between the metal frame and the wood piece. From far, you will not notice the hole, so I will not be too harsh on that.
The bottom of a PopSockets grip is an adhesive which can stick to most things. But if you are using one of the new iPhones, you will need a special adhesive piece (request it here) as the regular one is unable to stick to the iPhone's anti-fingerprint coating.
When taking the PopSockets out of the packaging, there is a clear plastic piece covering the adhesive. Remember to remove that or it will not stick. Unlike other phone grips, you can remove PopSockets from one device and attach them on other devices.
To open the PopSockets, simply pull it and to close, simply press down on it. The grip has two adjustable lengths, which I will talk more about below. The PopSockets branding is hidden in-between, on the top of the sticky piece, subtle and unobtrusive.
Overall, the PopSockets is well built and feels really durable. But how is it like to actually use the PopSockets? Is it any better than the ring-style grip people often use?
Experience - Works Really Well, But Not Perfect
The adhesive is surprisingly strong, so strong that I can confidently hang my phone upside down, shake it around and not be afraid that it will drop. On the flip side, removing it can be a little troublesome, with the possibility of hurting your nails.
When not popped out, the PopSockets is pretty thick, bulging out from the back. This will be irritating when you first use it, especially on a smaller device like the iPhone SE, but you will get used to it over time. Still, I wish it was thinner.
As mentioned above, the PopSockets grip can be adjusted to two different length. The first pull lifts it up by approximately 0.9 cm, about the width of the tip of your fingers. Unless you have tiny fingers, using it at this length is rather impossible.
Pulling it a second time brings the PopSockets to about 1.8cm. At this length, it should fit your fingers comfortably and you can use it to hold your phone, without gripping the phone.
What is the purpose of having a grip? There are a couple of scenarios where it can be very useful. For example, when taking photos one-handed, you can stretch your thumb to reach for the shuttle button without worrying about dropping your phone.
You can coil your earphones around PopSockets, to prevent them from tangling while in your pocket. PopSockets can also be attached to your cardboard and you can use them to store your earphones and cables. (Not the cheapest way though)
Another application of PopSockets is using it as a phone stand. For this, you will need to pull the grip twice, if not your phone will not be able to balance properly. Very useful, but you do not get the freedom to adjust the angle the way you can with a ring-style grip.
Conclusion - Should You Get One?
With a smart and elegant design that allows for many form of usage, PopSockets deserves many praises. But that does not mean it is flawless. There are things that can be improved, like its thickness, but even in its current form, PopSockets has something to offer to everyone.
If you are using a large phablet, the PopSockets provides you with an easier way to hold onto your phone. If you are using a small device like the iPhone SE, PopSockets makes one-handed operations even better by allowing you to reach corners easier.
A question that I have yet to answer: Is it better than a ring-style phone grip? That will depend on what you are looking for. The ring-style phone grips are much smaller and less obtrusive, but PopSockets provide a much better grip, improving usability a lot more.
