5 MagSafe Gadgets That Add Extra Features To Your iPhone

Add BGR on Google:
Google Discover

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Apple's MagSafe system enables support for a wide range of accessories on your iPhone, many of which you can use every day. While wireless chargers, power banks, and mounts are some of the most popular MagSafe gadgets, there are several more options on the market that not only seamlessly attach to your iPhone, but also expand its capabilities. For example, as storage upgrades are pretty expensive when buying a new iPhone, you can pick up a magnetic SSD to handle data storage needs that you might have without having to shell out for a higher storage variant. Similarly, if you like to create content using your iPhone, a snap-on LED light ring can provide much better illumination than your iPhone's LED flash.

To help expand your MagSafe accessory arsenal with similarly useful gadgets, we have handpicked some of the best-rated options on the market. We picked these MagSafe gadgets based on their usability, feedback from actual buyers, and expert opinion when available.

Sandisk Phone SSD

Sandisk's Phone SSD is a very useful MagSafe gadget for anyone struggling with the limited available storage on their iPhone. It snaps onto the back of your iPhone like any other MagSafe accessory and connects using a USB-C cable. The company includes a flat, short cable in the box, making the whole setup relatively clean. You won't have to worry about the slack left by a long third-party USB-C cable.

The Phone SSD is rated IP65 for dust and water resistance, meaning it can handle the elements, but it's not really waterproof. The company says it can also withstand drops from as high as almost 10 feet, and it weighs only 2.4 ounces. You can buy it in 1 TB or 2 TB variants, giving you plenty of storage for your needs. More importantly, it's rated for up to 1,000 MB/s speeds, delivering a fast connection that Sandisk claims can handle direct recording of 4K ProRes video at 60 fps to the SSD.

Considering the high pricing of storage these days, the Sandisk Phone SSD does cost a pretty penny, and you'll have to shell out around $225 for the 1 TB model or $330 for the 2 TB variant. Amazon shoppers have given the SSD a good rating of 4.4 out of 5 and praise its seamless functionality and data transfer speeds. However, a very small selection of buyers note issues with data transfer and recording directly to the SSD. Experts from Cult of Mac, MacWorld, and TechRadar also have a positive opinion of the SSD, and say that it works well and has a rugged design, but mention that it doesn't come with a Lightning cable for older iPhone models and it's a bit bigger than other SSDs. 

Telesin C03 Magnetic Selfie Light

Whether you are a creator or someone who simply wants to get better lighting while capturing photos or videos during low-light situations, the Telesin C03 Magnetic Selfie Light can help. It essentially adds a new light source to your iPhone for when you might need it. It's a ring light that attaches to your iPhone and allows you to choose from three color temperatures. You can also adjust its brightness from 10 to 100% using the built-in scroll wheel. Moreover, the light has its own 500 mAh battery, which the company claims can last over 45 minutes at maximum brightness.

In other highlights, you can charge the light using any USB-C wall adapter or power bank, and it supports 360-degree rotation and features a 1.4-inch extension if needed. You'll also be happy to know that the light doubles as a stand and a vanity mirror, both of which can come in handy during everyday use.

All this will cost you $23, and the Telesin C03 has garnered a decent average rating of 4.5 out of 5 from Amazon shoppers. Buyers highlight its high brightness, compact and lightweight design, and strong magnets. However, some buyers say its battery doesn't last long, or that they received defective units. 

ESR Geo for MagSafe Wallet

ESR offers a pretty decent magnetic accessory that can convert your iPhone into a physical wallet for your bank cards and IDs. Called the ESR Geo for MagSafe Wallet, it can store up to five cards and has built-in RFID blocking to stop any unauthorized scanners from reading the contactless chips on your cards. More importantly, the wallet supports Apple's Find My network, allowing you to locate it in case you lose it. Find My is the same network that's leveraged by the AirTags. To enable Find My support, the wallet has a built-in battery that you can charge using a supplied pogo pin charger, and a single charge can last up to six months.

It has a vegan leather exterior, giving it a premium look, and you can choose from three colors to match your aesthetic. Another highlight of the ESR Geo is the included finger loop that helps with the grip and can work as an alternative to standalone grips like PopSockets. Moreover, it can function as a stand for your phone.

The ESR Geo for MagSafe Wallet carries a price tag of $44 for the black variants, whereas the brown and burgundy variants cost $46 and $50, respectively. It's also widely liked by Amazon buyers, who have given it an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. Buyers have positive things to say about its magnetic attachment, secure card storage, and helpful finger loop. However, some shoppers do note that it's a bit bulky, which isn't surprising given its storage capacity, and that it isn't very durable.

Plaud Note

Although there are a number of AI-powered assistants on the market that slap onto the back of your iPhone, including Amazon's new Bee Eclipse, the Plaud Note is a widely liked AI-powered voice recording gadget. It has received positive reviews from PC Mag, PC World, Forbes, and TechRadar, with experts appreciating its easy-to-use nature and overall functionality. It has a slim design that houses two microphones and one vibration conduction sensor to listen to both your in-person and phone conversations. It can transcribe and summarize these conversations using AI. Moreover, its companion app offers several professional summary templates that it can use, and you can even create your own template.

It has an easy-to-access button that you can press when you want it to start recording your conversations or stop the recording. More importantly, the device follows strict privacy and data security practices to ensure your data is safe and secure. While you can use the Plaud Note for free for up to 300 minutes of conversations every month, you'll need a premium membership plan if your usage is higher.

On a full charge, it can record for 30 hours, and you can easily juice it up using the supplied pogo pin charger. There is also support for over 110 languages for transcribing your conversations and generating summaries. It costs $159, and you can pick it up in two colors. Amazon shoppers have given it a solid buyer rating of 4.5 out of 5. Many find the Plaud Note to be very useful and accurate. That said, some mention issues with canceling their subscription, auto-termination of cheaper plans, and customer service. You can also consider the company's upgraded Plaud Note Pro AI recorder, which costs a bit more but brings improved hardware.

MCON Magnetic Gaming Controller

If you like to game a lot on your iPhone, OhSnap's MCON Magnetic Gaming Controller is a useful MagSafe gadget. It basically adds a full-fledged but compact controller to your iPhone using a MagSafe connection. It includes deployable grips, hall-effect triggers, TMR joysticks, tactile buttons, and a slider. Not only can you use it to have a handheld console gaming experience, but it also supports a Kickback mode that allows you to detach most of the controller and prop up the iPhone for tabletop play.

It has a built-in 500 mAh battery that you can charge using the integrated USB-C port. The company claims it can last up to nine hours of gaming. While the controller snaps on using MagSafe, it actually connects to your iPhone over Bluetooth. Moreover, its sizing is ideal for the 6.1-inch iPhones, but it will work with both smaller and bigger iPhone models.

It carries a price tag of $150 and has received an average buyer rating of 4.3 out of 5 from Best Buy shoppers. Buyers like its compact design, effortless install, and solid build quality. However, some buyers note issues with FPS games, difficulty pressing some buttons and triggers, and its relatively bulky nature.

How we selected these iPhone MagSafe gadgets

Although MagSafe is pretty popular and many people use it to wirelessly charge their iPhone or connect a mount, it can actually be used to enhance your iPhone's functionality with the right accessories. While picking up MagSafe gadgets that add new features to an iPhone, we looked for well-rated options that provide one or more features that you wouldn't otherwise get on your phone. We considered buyer feedback as well as expert opinion to refine our selection. As a result, all our recommendations have received an average buyer rating of at least 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon or Best Buy, showing that their buyers have a generally positive opinion of these gadgets.

Recommended