Anker Magnetic Phone Grip (Foldable Kickstand) Review

What it is

This is a slim MagSafe accessory that snaps onto the back of an iPhone (or a magnetic case) and folds out two ways. Stand it up in portrait or landscape, or pop it open as a finger grip so you stop dropping your phone every time you reach for it one-handed.

It lives in Anker's under-$30 lane, usually somewhere in the $15 to $30 range depending on the sale and the exact model. There's no charging, no app, no battery. It's a magnet and a hinge, and Anker has been making reliable cheap accessories long enough that the basics tend to be sorted.

How it performs day to day

The magnet is the whole ballgame here, and owners broadly agree it grips hard. It holds a bare MagSafe iPhone confidently and survives being jostled in a bag or a coat pocket. If you're using a thick non-MagSafe case, expect the hold to weaken, which is true of every magnetic grip on the market, not an Anker flaw.

As a kickstand it's genuinely useful. Propped in landscape it's stable enough for a YouTube video on a tray table or a kitchen counter. Folded flat, the grip adds barely any thickness, so it doesn't ruin pocketability the way a chunky PopSocket can. The hinge has the usual cheap-accessory tradeoff: it works fine, but the folding mechanism is the part most likely to loosen or feel wobbly over a long stretch of heavy use.

The good and the annoying

On the plus side: strong magnet, low profile, two viewing angles, and a price that makes losing it forgivable. It also keeps wireless charging usable since it snaps off in a second when you want to drop the phone on a charger. For travel and bedside video, it's hard to argue with.

The downsides are real but minor. The finger grip ring isn't huge, so people with big hands may find it tighter than a dedicated ring holder. The kickstand won't hold a phone at a steep typing angle on a desk the way a fuller stand does. And if your phone isn't MagSafe-native, you're committing to a magnetic case, which is its own small expense.

Who it's for, who should skip it

Buy it if you have a MagSafe iPhone and want a cheap, low-bulk way to prop the screen up and get a more secure one-handed hold. It's a great commuter and travel pick. It's also an easy gift or stocking-stuffer that people actually use.

Skip it if you're on Android without a strong magnetic case, since the hold gets unreliable. Skip it too if you want a proper adjustable desk stand for typing or long video calls. And if you already love a screwed-on PopSocket, this won't convert you, it's a different feel.

The verdict

For the money, this is an easy recommendation for MagSafe iPhone owners. The magnet is the part that matters and Anker got it right, the kickstand is a useful bonus, and the slim profile means you'll actually leave it on. Nobody should expect a cheap magnetic grip to last forever, but at this price you're not betting much.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Anker Magnetic Phone Grip work without a MagSafe case?

It works best on a MagSafe iPhone or a case with built-in magnets. On a regular non-magnetic case the hold gets weak and unreliable, so plan to pair it with a magnetic case if your phone isn't MagSafe-native.

Can you still wireless charge with it attached?

Yes, but the simplest approach is to pop it off and snap it back on, which takes a second. Because it's magnetic it detaches easily, so charging isn't a hassle the way it is with a glued-on grip.

Is it strong enough to hold the phone securely?

On a bare MagSafe iPhone, owners consistently report a firm hold that survives normal handling and pocket use. The grip ring itself runs on the smaller side, so larger hands may find it a bit tight.