Phone Grip Types Compared: Expandable, Ring, Strap or Magnetic

A phone grip is anything on the back of the phone that gives your fingers something to hold, and the market has settled into four shapes: the expandable collapsing grip, the ring, the elastic strap, and the magnetic grip that snaps onto a MagSafe-style phone. They all fix the same problem (large phones held in one hand) and they differ in four things that matter every day: how thick the phone gets, whether it still lies flat, whether it blocks wireless charging, and whether it gets in the way of a magnetic car mount. This guide compares the four by those criteria and uses our own grips as examples, with the honest gaps in their listings left as gaps.

We sell these and have not tested adhesive life or magnet strength on any of them.

The four shapes at a glance

Grip type	Added thickness	Lies flat?	Blocks wireless charging?	Works with magnetic mounts?	Best for
Expandable (collapsing) grip	Medium when collapsed, tall when open	Rocks unless collapsed	Yes if over the coil and not removable	No, unless it’s a magnetic version	Long one-handed use, propping in landscape
Ring	Low	Rocks slightly	Yes if over the coil	No for adhesive, yes for magnetic rings	Kickstand plus grip in one
Strap	Lowest	Yes	Usually no (thin, often off-coil)	Only if the strap is off the plate	Pocket-friendly, minimal
Magnetic grip	Varies; removable	Yes when removed	No, you take it off	Yes, take it off or swap	MagSafe-style phones and cases

Expandable grips

The collapsing grip is the shape most people mean by “phone grip.” Open, it sits between two fingers and doubles as a landscape stand; collapsed, it’s a low disk. The Clear Expandable Phone Grip is our example: a transparent circular upper section, a stepped center and a circular lower disk, shown raised in the listing. It attaches to a flat, smooth case surface; the supplier does not verify adhesive specification, holding load or charging compatibility, so assume it blocks wireless charging if placed over the coil.

Rings

A ring is thinner than an expandable grip and a better kickstand, at the cost of a slightly less comfortable long hold. Adhesive rings are permanent; magnetic rings come off. The Orange Magnetic Ring Phone Kickstand is the magnetic kind, with a circular ring base, a hinged open loop and a textured center strap; the supplier calls it magnetic and MagSafe-titled, with device compatibility and magnet strength unverified. Our phone ring holder guide covers ring placement in detail.

Straps

A strap is a flat elastic band across the back of the phone. It adds almost nothing to the phone’s thickness, it lies flat in a pocket, and because it is thin and often sits beside the coil rather than over it, it is the grip least likely to interfere with wireless charging. The trade-off is that it is a grip only, not a stand.

The Teal Sliding Phone Grip Strap is a rounded rectangular base with a narrow center strip and a round sliding fastener, so the loop can be moved along its slot. Raised-loop height, load rating and adhesive spec are not published, and the listing says plainly not to rely on it as a safety tether.
The Rainbow Woven Phone Grip Strap with Silver Frame puts a woven band in a silver frame with hinged end blocks and a D-shaped ring for a lanyard. The listing describes the visible parts only; check the attachment method and your case before ordering.

Magnetic grips

If your phone or case has a magnetic ring, a magnetic grip skips the adhesive question entirely: it snaps on for holding and comes off for charging, for a car mount, or for the pocket. The Slim MagSafe-Compatible Ring is the enabling part rather than a grip in itself: a brushed-alloy ring that gives a non-magnetic case the magnetic interface the orange ring above and our magnetic stands rely on. Our MagSafe ring vs clamp vs weighted dock piece compares the magnetic route with clamping stands on the desk.

A grip that’s only a stand

If you don’t hold the phone so much as prop it, skip the grip and use a kickstand. The Black Slim Hinged Phone Kickstand is a slim rectangular panel on a short-edge hinge; attachment method, dimensions and holding strength are unverified, so treat it as a flat prop rather than a grip.

Quick answers

What is a phone grip for? Holding a large phone in one hand without dropping it, and usually propping it up. Different shapes trade thickness and flatness against that.

What are people using instead of PopSockets? Straps (thinner, lie flat), rings (thinner, better kickstand) and magnetic grips (removable). Which one depends on whether you charge wirelessly and whether your case is magnetic.

What is the best cell phone grip? For a magnetic phone or case, a magnetic grip, because it comes off when it’s in the way. For everyone else, a strap if you want minimal, an expandable grip if you want a landscape stand.

Are PopSockets or rings better? A collapsing grip is more comfortable for long holds; a ring is thinner and stands the phone up better. Both block wireless charging if placed over the coil and neither is removable unless magnetic.

Checklist before you order

Is the phone or case magnetic? If yes, look at magnetic grips first.
Do you charge wirelessly? Then either a thin strap off the coil, or something removable.
Do you need a stand? Ring or expandable grip; a strap won’t do it.
Is the back flat and smooth? Adhesive grips need it.
Keep the camera clear; check placement against the product photos.

Everything above is $19.99 at the time of writing. Tell us your phone and case and we’ll say which grip type to skip.

Editor’s note: product facts come from each listing on this site and its supplier information. We have not tested adhesive life, magnet strength or load. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the Holderphone team.