This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Tango is an ultra-thin MagSafe grip, rated at 2.9 mm, whose party trick is that you press it and the grip springs out. I bought one and compared it with the PopSockets Low-Profile Grip for MagSafe, another thin, premium grip. Tango wins on design and that satisfying one-handed pop-out. For overall everyday use, though, including grip, stand and how easy it is to take off, I prefer the PopSockets.
What I tested
- Tango ultra-thin MagSafe phone grip: all steel, rated 2.9 mm thick, works as a landscape stand. About ¥6,000 at the time of recording, which is expensive for a grip when plenty of MagSafe grips on Amazon Japan cost ¥1,000–2,000
- PopSockets Low-Profile Grip for MagSafe: also slim and in a similar premium price range. I have been using one for a while
- Both attached to an iPhone with MagSafe, then weighed, measured with calipers and compared for grip, stand mode and removal
What I found
- In person, Tango looks better than in the product photos. The photos suggested a shiny metal finish, but the real thing is matte and understated. It feels very different from the usual plastic grips.
- Press it and the grip pops out with a click, thanks to a spring. It is very satisfying, and unlike a ring grip you do not need to dig a fingernail in. You can open it one-handed while holding the phone, and with practice without looking.
- As a grip it works well. With a finger through it, even a big Pro Max-size iPhone feels much steadier, and closed it sits almost flat on the back.
- It also works as a landscape stand, but you have to slot the grip into a groove on the base to form the stand. It is doable, just not an instant switch, which may bug you if you prop your phone up often.
- Weight on my scale: Tango 25.8 g, PopSockets 20.2 g. Both are light, but the PopSockets is 5.6 g lighter.
- Thickness: Tango measured about 3 mm, close to its 2.9 mm claim, which is very thin. The PopSockets measured 2.6 mm, so it is thinner still.
- Grip: both work. Tango’s appeal is the one-handed pop-out; the PopSockets’ grip shape itself is just very comfortable for everyday holding.
- Stand: going from grip to stand is simpler and more obvious on the PopSockets. If you often watch YouTube or Netflix on the go, that difference matters more than you might think.
- Removal: the PopSockets has an outer rim you can hook a finger under. Tango is so flat that taking it off takes a bit of a knack. That matters if you swap to MagSafe chargers, stands or car mounts.
- Tango is not meant to stay on while MagSafe charging, so if you charge on a MagSafe pad every night, you will be taking it off every day. Another point for the easier-to-remove PopSockets.
| Tango | PopSockets Low-Profile Grip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (at the time of recording) | About ¥6,000 | Similar premium price |
| Weight (my scale) | 25.8 g | 20.2 g |
| Thickness (my calipers) | About 3 mm (rated 2.9 mm) | 2.6 mm |
| Opening | Press to pop out, one-handed | — |
| Stand mode | Needs setting in a groove | Quick, easy |
| Removal | Takes a knack | Easy, finger rim |
Who it’s for
Tango suits you if you want a thin MagSafe grip in metal, dislike the look of plastic grips, love gadgets with a clever mechanism, want to pop the grip open one-handed, mostly leave it attached, and only need the stand now and then.
Get the PopSockets Low-Profile Grip if you want the thinnest and lightest option, care most about grip comfort, use the stand often, or swap MagSafe accessories regularly and want something easy to remove. With prices so close, I would pick the PopSockets for overall usability. Tango is the one for design, the gimmick and leave-it-on grip use.
The video is in Japanese.
Limitations
I tested one unit of each over a short period. Weight and thickness are from my own scale and calipers, and grip, stand and removal are my impressions. Prices are approximate Amazon Japan prices at the time of recording.
Products
Tango ultra-thin MagSafe phone grip (rated 2.9 mm, all steel, landscape stand): on Amazon Japan
PopSockets Low-Profile Grip for MagSafe (grip and stand): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All MagSafe Rings & Stands (49) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.