{
  "id": 18188328,
  "title": "How I learned to love an obnoxious phone grip",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/how-i-learned-to-love-an-obnoxious-phone-grip",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-04T21:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Verge",
    "slug": "the-verge",
    "url": "https://www.theverge.com/tech/1026743/bright-colorful-phone-grip-case"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Discovering a stick of butter-shaped phone grip was like stumbling upon a secret ingredient for a recipe. The 12-year-old friend who introduced me to it spoke of its \"unsalty\" nature and precise tablespoon markings. Intrigued, I asked where it came from, learning it was a PopSocket-branded combination. Enchanted, I ordered a similar grip shortly after. As someone who had previously favored sleek, minimalist tech, I decided to embrace a bold change. I have no regrets, and it appears I'm not alone in this trend. For years, I was part of the \"No Phone Case\" team, believing cases added bulk and collected dust. My iPhone 13 Mini already felt secure without a case, but larger phones were becoming harder to handle. After using the hefty Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, I opted for a magnetic grip for better comfort. Initially drawn to minimalist ring stands, I was captivated by the stick of butter. A chunky grip feels fun and secure, allowing easy removal when desired. This \"why not have fun\" mindset stemmed from Bailey Hikawa, who has been crafting unconventional phone grips since 2018. Her designs incorporate input from the disabled community, aiming to provide an easier grip. Hikawa's creations are vibrant, bold, and often handmade with unique materials. Collaborating with Apple on a chunky, bright MagSafe grip, she showcases her signature style. Meanwhile, PopSocket offers a variety of unusual grips and cases, from tomato pincushions to \"Sugar Rush\" collections. Founders like David Barnett note a growing consumer desire for personality in everyday essentials. Phone makers may also be contributing to this trend, often sticking to boring shades. As a result, a plethora of colorful, unique grips and cases are available, catering to those seeking a little more fun in their tech.",
  "summary": "Much like a great recipe, it started with a stick of butter. This wasn't real butter; it was a friend's new phone grip, complemented by a phone case with bold stripes. Butter is in vogue now, or at least that's what a 12-year-old told me a few months ago. This stick of butter was labeled […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}