PopSockets, the Boulder-based company known for its ubiquitous phone grips, has introduced the Low-Pro Grip, a product its founder says gets as close to his original idea as possible. Professor-turned-inventor David Barnett created the first prototype over 15 years ago after gluing buttons to his phone to manage tangled headphone wires, but found the result too bulky.
The new grip collapses to roughly 2.5 mm (0.10 inch) thick — nearly the exact height of that first prototype, according to the company. Unlike the original, this version actually works reliably. The launch marks a return to Barnett's minimalist vision after years of producing thicker grips, including magnetic variants and integrated chargers.
Since selling its first product in 2014, PopSockets has moved more than 275 million units. The company has expanded into wallets, charging accessories, and magnetic phone cases, but all of those products have a bulkier profile than what Barnett initially envisioned.
The Low-Pro Grip targets consumers who want phone grip functionality without added bulk — a segment competitors like LoveHandle and OhSnap have also pursued. The launch signals that PopSockets sees growth potential in ultra-compact form factors even as the broader accessories market matures.
Barnett, a former philosophy professor at the University of Colorado, initially solved his headphone-tangling problem with a trip to a Joann fabrics store. The Low-Pro Grip represents a full-circle moment for the inventor.