Here’s how I’m solving the iPhone Duo kickstand problem, without any bulk

If you’re like me and bought an iPhone Duo, you’re likely a bit disappointed by the options on the market to prop it up on a table. Apple’s official $129 folio with kickstand is expensive, flimsy, and gets in the way of the outer display. MagSafe wallets that turn into kickstands are too tall for the back of the phone, and there aren’t many good third party cases yet.

That said, the perfect option for an iPhone Duo kickstand might’ve actually been hiding in plain sight all along.

The reason why I say it’s been hiding in plain sight is because this accessory isn’t actually designed for iPhone Duo, it works on all iPhones. It’s the PopSocket Low-Pro, a low profile MagSafe PopSocket with a ring that flips out and serves as a kickstand. It also works as a normal PopSocket if you’re interested in that.

Overview

This PopSocket has a few strengths on iPhone Duo:

- It’s sturdy enough to hold the phone up on a table, even when it’s unfolded

- It’s thin enough for MagSafe charging to pass through it (granted, you will generate some extra heat)

- The additional magnetic strength of the PopSocket actually allows an unfolded iPhone Duo to stay on a MagSafe stand without slouching too much

On the last point, you might’ve heard from some iPhone Duo reviewers that the phone can’t really work on a MagSafe stand while unfolded, because the weight of the left half of the phone drags it down. I’m happy to report that this PopSocket actually largely fixes that. It’ll still slip slightly over a longer period of time, but it’s good enough to make the experience usable.

I tested this across multiple MagSafe stands of mine and the slippage issue is improved across the board when using the PopSocket Low-Pro.

Wrap up

My favorite advantage to the PopSocket Low-Pro is the fact that it improves the iPhone Duo experience greatly while still allowing you to rock the phone without a case. Given the fact that the iPhone Duo is already 11.3mm thick when it’s folded, I wasn’t jazzed about the idea of adding even more bulk to the phone.

The Low-Pro is truly low profile, and can’t really be felt when you’re holding the phone. It protrudes a fair bit less than the camera bump does.

If you’re interested in purchasing a PopSocket Low-Pro, you can grab one on Amazon for $36-40 depending on the color option you’d like. Navy, Gun Metal, Black, Electric Fuschia, Teal, Carbon Lattice, Mint, and Tortoise are available for $40, while the Lilac and Orange colors are available for $36, a 10% discount.

Check out exclusive free trials for Apple services:

- Apple Music – $10.99/mo after free trial

- Apple Arcade – $6.99/mo after free trial

- Apple News+ – $12.99/mo after free trial

- Apple TV+ – $12.99/mo after free trial

- Apple One bundle – $19.95/mo after free trial

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