Key Takeaways
- Apple has launched the Hikawa iPhone Grip & Stand, designed to enhance usability and accessibility.
- The accessory is compatible with MagSafe and attaches magnetically to the back of the iPhone.
- The Hikawa grip, priced at $70, has been crafted with input from individuals with disabilities to support various holding methods.
- Available in two colors at Apple, the grip is designed with ergonomic principles and uses premium silicone for a soft touch.
- The Hikawa grip is similar in function to the PopSocket but emphasizes accessibility and comfort in its design.
After the stylish yet expensive iPhone Pocket carry pouch created by Issey Miyake, Apple has unveiled another collaboration with designers: the Nikawa iPhone Grip and Stand.
Accessibility Focused Design
While the iPhone Pocket seems to cater to the trend of baggy, pocketless outfits, the new grip accessory is intended to enhance usability. Officially known as the Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand, this accessory is compatible with MagSafe and attaches magnetically to the back of the iPhone. At a glance, it appears similar to the widely-used PopSocket accessory, which is available on Amazon for half the price.
Similar Functionality
Like the Hikawa grip, the PopSocket also uses magnets to stick to the back of the iPhone and can serve as a stand. However, Apple asserts that the $70 Hikawa grip—which resembles a quirky silicone piece with a hole, particularly in the flashy Chartreuse color—has been crafted with accessibility in mind.
"The grip was designed through an extensive interview process to support varied ways of holding iPhone while reducing the effort needed to keep it steady," says Bailey Hikawa, the designer based in LA who created this "limited edition" accessory.
Ergonomic Innovation
Hikawa has been known for producing ergonomic iPhone grips and cases for some time and has gained Apple’s attention through "direct input from individuals with disabilities affecting muscle strength, dexterity, and hand control" in the design of its accessories.
The grip comes in two colors at Apple: a bright Chartreuse and a Crater color that appears to be made from recycled materials. However, on the Hikawa website, this accessory is referred to as the Adaptive Grip & Stand and is available in additional color options, including a more elegant Cobalt blue and a unique Blurple Swirl.
Despite still costing the same $70, Hikawa provides further information about the premium silicone material, which offers a soft touch and requires minimal holding tension, regardless of hand position. Apple, Hikawa...
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