Magnetic phone grips, stands and car mounts are worth a try

A writer at How-To Geek says three magnetic accessories changed how they use a phone: a grip, a desk stand and a car mount. All three snap on with magnets built into the phone, so there is no glue and no clamp. It is one person's opinion, not a lab test, but the reasons are practical.

What Qi2 magnets are

Qi2 is a wireless charging standard that includes magnets in the phone. Apple's iPhones have had a similar system called MagSafe. The writer, a longtime Android user, envied it for years. Google's Pixel 10 series now has magnetic Qi2 built in. That was the main reason the writer switched from a OnePlus phone to a Pixel.

The grip

Phone grips usually stick to a case with 3M adhesive or glue. A magnetic grip, such as the PopSockets PopGrip MagSafe the writer names, goes on and off whenever you like. It can be reused without new glue or sticky residue on the back of a case. The writer says a grip takes weight off the fingers, especially for small hands and a large phone.

The stand

Regular phone stands often use plastic parts that can crack over time. Clamp sizes vary by brand, and some are too small or too tall for a big phone. A magnetic stand needs only strong magnets. You place the phone on it and it holds. The writer also put a magnetic plate on a laptop and owns a Qi2 wallet with a built-in magnetic stand. The writer uses these at a desk and on airplanes.

The car mount

The writer calls the old clamp-style car mount the worst of the bunch. They can be shaky, come loose over a speed bump or need a screw tightened by hand. Rental cars are often stuck with cheap plastic ones. Qi2 car mounts hold the phone with magnets instead. Some also charge the phone wirelessly, and a few brands add cooling.

What to check first

• Confirm your phone has built-in Qi2 magnets, as the Pixel 10 series does.
• Look for the Qi2 label on any grip, stand or mount you consider.
• If you want charging in the car, look for a Qi2 mount that charges.

The article gives no prices, test results or model rankings beyond the PopSockets grip. It also does not say how well each accessory works with every phone case. Treat the picks as a starting point and read the specs for your own phone before buying.