I’m not someone who usually likes to stick things to the back of my phone, but about two years ago I came across the OhSnap Grip 4 (compensated affiliate link) and found myself not wanting to take it off. You can see my original review of it here.
It was a simple little accessory that functioned like a PopSocket—you could pop it out for a better grip or use it as a stand—and when you didn’t need it, it folded down super flat. What made it stand out to me was that it added MagSafe-style functionality to Android phones through its magnetic ring. It wasn’t something I expected to keep using, but it became part of my daily routine.
Now the company has released an updated version, the OhSnap 5 Grip. It largely looks the same but it no longer uses the strong but removable adhesive of the prior model. OhSnap says they very carefully designed a stronger magnet system that hangs on tighter.
I was curious to see how that would change things since I didn’t have any real complaints about the previous version. So that’s what we explore in my latest video review.
To use the new model on Android phones, the company includes a metal ring that gets stuck to the back of the phone. Once attached, the grip will snap neatly into place and retains the same features as before—the pop-out stand and the comfortable finger grip. But Android users will have to pry lose the adapter ring if they stop using the Snap 5 grip.
The design looks thin but feels sturdy, just like the last one, though it’s slightly thicker. When I tested how securely it attached to my caseless iPhone 17 Pro Max, it came off more easily than the adhesive model. A firm tug or some lateral pressure will very quickly snap it off. For someone like me who uses a phone without a case—my running joke is that AppleCare is my case—the old adhesive-backed version feels much more secure.
When I tried it on my iPad mini with a metal Magsafe adapter ring installed, the grip was much stronger—so much so that I couldn’t pull it off easily. That told me the performance really depends on the phone’s case and how close the case’s magnetic ring sits to the surface.
Like the earlier version, the Grip 5 is MagSafe compatible and allows for chargers and other MagSafe accessories to snap on top. While MagSafe devices snapped on as expected, the strength of the outer magnets is noticeable weaker than the Grip 4. For charging, the Grip 5 works best with MagSafe chargers but doesn’t pair well with standard Qi chargers that lack magnetic alignment.
After a few days of use, I’ve found that while the Grip 5 is not as good as its predecessor. The magnet is strong but not strong enough to serve as an effective substitute for the reusable adhesive, and its outer magnet does not latch onto MagSafe accessories as confidently as before.
I’ll therefore be sticking—literally and figuratively—with the old one.
Disclosure: I purchased a Grip 5 with my own funds, and the company separately sent me another one free of charge. No other compensation was received, and the company did not review or approve this content before it was uploaded. All opinions are my own.