Copyright © 2022, Quiller Media, Inc.
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.
As long standing PopSockets skeptics, the new PopCase had some work to do to convince us it was worth adorning our phones with. Surprisingly enough, it did make a compelling case for itself. No pun intended.
PopCase is a new iPhone case from PopSockets that retains what many loved about the self-titled accessory, but adds more compatibility and functionality.
It starts as a fairly standard shell case. It covers all sizes of the case, including fully covering the bottom — sans the port. It wraps just slightly around the face of your phone so when placed face-down, your phone's display won't come in contact with the surface below.
There are plastic buttons that sit atop your iPhone's buttons on either side, for both the volume toggles as well as the side button. These buttons are separate from the body of the case, allowing them to move freely. As they are independent from the case, they are extremely tactile and feel as responsive as the actual metal buttons.
The cases come in multiple colors, including the teal and clear versions we have here.
What makes this case so unique is the built-in PopSocket on the back. Unlike a typical PopGrip that adheres to back of your phone and isn't particularly intended to be moved about repeatedly, this one is built into a sliding rail on the back of the phone.
As it slides, it can sit in the center and be used to prop up the phone up horizontally — for watching movies or playing games as a couple examples — or slid to the bottom and used to prop the phone up vertically. When vertical, it makes a handy stand to see your phone, record a video, capture a selfie, or take a FaceTime call.
Sure enough, the other benefit of sliding the PopSocket down to towards the bottom is it enables support for MagSafe or Qi wireless charging.
To quickly note, there are some versions of the PopCase that don't work with MagSafe so be sure you choose a compatible model if this is important to you. Even the non-MagSafe version supports Qi wireless charging however.
Once we slid our PopSocket to the bottom, we could use almost any MagSafe devices we had. We were able to mount it on our tripod with the Moment tripod mounts. We could attach it to most MagSafe stands we had around such as the BoostCharge from Belkin.
It also of course worked handheld with the stock Apple MagSafe puck. All held on securely and could charge without issue.
As these are PopSockets, the tops are swappable to your liking. By pressing in against the case and twisting counterclockwise, the top of the PopSocket will come free. It's then that you can take a different top and pop it in place with a small twist in the opposite direction.
PopSockets has an ever-growing selection of designs available, literally hundred upon hundreds. There are metal enamel ones, ones that are snow globes, pressed flowers, and piles of licensed ones from the likes of Disney, Marvel, Coca-Cola, and more.
Our original issues with PopSockets were two fold. We disliked that they couldn't be removed and were more or less fixed to your phone until you were ready to toss it and we hated that it prohibited you from using MagSafe or wireless chargers. The new PopCase, fixes both of these issues.
It's hard to find fault with this case. PopSockets do add extra functionality you just don't get otherwise. Use it as a stand in either orientation, added grip for holding your phone and prevent drops in the first place. And yet still use MagSafe mounts and chargers.
The biggest downside is because the PopSocket is still on the bottom of your phone, some chargers may not work. Those from Native Union or Nomad that are slabs of metal would be in the way. All other MagSafe chargers would will work just fine though.
If you were hesitant about PopSockets or perhaps you're a die-hard PopSocket fan but want the ability to have even more functionality, check out the new PopCase.
Find the new PopCase on Amazon starting at $49 for various iPhones
Will the PopSocket slide up enough (based on the photos would need to cover the cameras) to accommodate the Apple battery pack?
They should have a PopSocket that would pass though the MagSafe power threw it. That would have been cool.
Having the right gear can make all the difference in getting a good workout on a bike. Here are the best tech accessories for cyclists.
For a lot of folks, summer is prime camping time. We've rounded up the best tech gear to enhance adventures.
Apple demoed technology at WWDC 2022 called Private Access Tokens — and they could potentially kill CAPTCHAs once and for all.
Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro has the M2 chip, but it may not be enough to tempt potential buyers away from a purchase of the 14-inch MacBook Pro. Here's how the smaller MacBook Pro models compare.
Master & Dynamic's MW75 are high-quality headphones offering ANC features, directly competing against Apple's AirPods Max. Here's how the premium personal audio accessories compare.
The new Surface Laptop Go 2 is a thin and light Windows notebook at a low cost, and has been positioned by Microsoft to be a competitor to Apple's latest M2 MacBook Air. Here's how the ultra-portable notebooks compare.
Just as we have in years past, we've gotten our hands on dummy units of all four of the iPhone 14 models to see how they line up with what the rumor mill is saying.
Apple's new M2 is the start of a new Apple Silicon generation. Here's how the M2 fares when compared against the already-released M1 family of chips.
TikTok assures US officials it has strong data security, denies recent report
How gaming on the Mac is getting better with macOS Ventura
Apple must face UK complaint that its App Store commission is unfair
Best external hard drives and SSDs for Mac in 2022
Prime Day deal: Get a $20 credit for Prime Day 2022 when you use Amazon Photos
Mac keyboard showdown: Apple versus chiclet versus mechanical
Steve Jobs will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
How to use Nintendo Joy-Cons with iPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Having the right gear can make all the difference in getting a good workout on a bike. Here are the best tech accessories for cyclists.
For a lot of folks, summer is prime camping time. We've rounded up the best tech gear to enhance adventures.
Apple demoed technology at WWDC 2022 called Private Access Tokens — and they could potentially kill CAPTCHAs once and for all.
With the launch of macOS Ventura, Apple is bringing more focus to gaming on the Mac. Here are some ways that gamers will benefit with the launch of Apple's new operating system.
Apple has introduced Nintendo controller support in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and tvOS 16, so it is now possible to pair Joy-Cons to your devices. Here's how.
Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac all have a free password manager made by Apple called iCloud Keychain. Here's how to use it, set up two-factor authentication, and never have to remember a password again.
Earwax is nasty. Compound that with dirt and debris, and AirPods can get filthy in a hurry. This tool makes it easier than ever to clean your AirPods, AirPods Pro, or other in-ear earbuds safely.
Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro is the first to arrive with the Apple Silicon M2 processor, but in every other aspect, it clings to an old design ethos in every regard.
Huion's Kamvas Pro 24(4K) is a big-screen graphics tablet that promises a lot to digital artists at a reasonable price. Here's what one artist thinks about the creation tool.
Harber's Leather Desk Mat is a Mac desk accessory that's so good you'd think about replacing the desk before you'd let go of it.
App icons come, icons go, and around the time of iOS 7 app icons also got radically reworked. "The iOS App Icon Book" is an utterly gorgeous celebration of the art of the app icon.
The Monolith M1000ANC Headphones offer ANC, algorithmic spatial audio, and 60-hour battery life at a price lower than AirPods.
Zhiyun's updated design of its Weebill 3 gimbal results in its most comfortable and powerful gimbal, which is also more useful for amateur videographers and vloggers.
AppleInsider is one of the few truly independent online publications left. If you love what we do, please consider a small donation to help us keep the lights on.
If you love AppleInsider and want to support independent publications, please consider a small donation.