PopSockets have taken over the smartphone accessories world. They’re such a simple but brilliant solution to the problem of dropping increasingly-expensive phones. They work for every smartphone on the market, and the company has even formed partnerships with the likes of Apple for official PopSocket-integrated cases.
Another major trend in smartphone accessories is wireless charging. So, the new wireless charger PopSockets unveiled at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show fits right into what could be the future of how we use chargers and grips.
It’s a wireless charger that looks similar at first to others: sort of like a squished down hockey puck that you lay your phone onto. But, if you look closely, you’ll notice a little circle carved out in the center to allow a smartphone to sit flush while there’s a PopSocket grip on the back.
🤓🤔👍 #knownews #tech The PopSockets Wireless Charger Broke My Brain I have to hand it to PopSocket https://t.co/MOvRK0DI2l
— DTM (@DerekTMcKinney) January 7, 2020
Before, PopGrip users had to either remove their phone case or use a swappable PopGrip before using a wireless charger. So, this is a pretty elegant problem solver. Especially nowadays where some unnamed smartphone makers insist on removing headphone jacks, this allows PopGrip users to charge their phones without removing their cases and maybe still listen to music at the same time.
According to TechCrunch, the Qi certified charger will deliver up to 15 watts for fast-charging smartphones.
There is one hangup, however. For now, it only works with standard PopGrips, not metal grips, the PopGrip Mirror or PopGrip Lips.
It’s currently available on the PopSockets site for $60, which is a bit more expensive than comparable products, but you’re paying for the convenience of keeping your PopGrip on while you charge.
PopGrips are currently available in the promotional products space exclusively through iClick. iClick said in an email to Promo Marketing that there are plans to bring the chargers into the promotional products industry in the near future, though it did not provide a concrete date yet.
