PopSockets’ new ultrathin grip is the product its founder wanted to make all along

PopSockets launched its new ultrathin grip, the Low-Pro Grip, on June 24, 2024, exclusively at Apple stores. This product represents the closest realization of founder David Barnett's original vision for a phone grip, which he conceived in 2015 while a philosophy professor at the University of Colorado. Barnett's initial solution to tangled headphone wires involved gluing two buttons to the back of his phone, a concept that evolved into the first PopSocket after he sought a more aesthetically pleasing design. The original PopSocket, which has sold over 275 million units, featured an accordion-style grip. However, Barnett always desired a slimmer profile, a goal that previous iterations like magnetic grips, wallets, and chargers did not fully achieve due to their bulkier design. The Low-Pro Grip measures approximately 2.5 mm (0.10 inch) thick when collapsed, mirroring the dimensions of Barnett's first, albeit non-functional, prototype. This new design aims to address the common criticism of the original PopSocket being too bulky, which sometimes caused issues like getting stuck in pockets. The Low-Pro Grip will be available at additional retailers starting July 29, 2024.