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
The new GripMate keeps the long silicone finger loop that made the original so comfortable, and adds a magnetic ring on the outside. That means you can leave it on the phone and still snap the phone onto a MagSafe car mount or stand. The trade-off is weight: 39.1 g on my scale, about 1.9 times the original’s 20.8 g.
What I tested
- New GripMate double-sided MagSafe grip (orange)
- Original GripMate (orange), which I reviewed a few months earlier
- An oval band-style grip from Andobil, for comparison
- iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, a magnetic stand and a magnetic car mount
What I found
- Grip: still excellent. The phone feels stuck to my hand, and I can move it around without bracing it with my thumb.
- Stand angle: the original stands at roughly one fixed angle. On the new one, rotating the outer ring lets you set a steeper or flatter angle.
- Car mount: the original wobbles on a mount because of the raised center. The new one sits flat.
- Magnet strength: the outer magnet is strong. On a strong car mount, press on the raised part as you pull the phone away, or the grip may stay on the mount.
- Color: the orange is very close to Cosmic Orange, although the silicone strap is a slightly different shade in person.
Comparison
| New GripMate | Original GripMate | Andobil oval | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo |  |  |  |
| Weight | 39.1 g | 20.8 g | 35.8 g |
| Outer MagSafe | Yes | Wobbles | Yes |
| Stand angle | Adjustable | Mostly fixed | Stand |
| Finger loop | Silicone | Silicone | Rubber band |
| Price | 2,399 yen | 1,709 yen | Over 3,000 yen |
Prices are Amazon Japan prices for the orange color at the time of recording. The original’s price is from my earlier review of it. The new model was 1,899 yen in black and 2,199 yen in silver.
Who it is for
- Choose the new model if you want to keep the grip on while using a car mount or MagSafe stand.
- Choose the original if light weight matters most. At about 20 g, it is one of the lightest grips I have used.
- Skip both if you prefer the look of a classic round ring. The shape is practical, but I would not call it stylish.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. The stand angle demo starts around 8:00, and the car mount test follows shortly after.
Limitations
These are my impressions from one unit of each grip on my own phone and case. Weights are from my kitchen scale, and prices were Amazon Japan prices when I recorded the video.
Products
New GripMate double-sided MagSafe grip: on Amazon Japan
Original GripMate MagSafe grip: on Amazon Japan
Andobil oval MagSafe grip: 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.