The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro can be your virtual cameraman, whether you're making a TikTok video or simply on a video call. Photo: Belkin
The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro is the first-ever accessory to work with Apple DockKit. Using this tech, it can hold up an iPhone, rotate and tilt to keep the camera focused on the user during video calls.
After being announced CES 2024 in January, the accessory reached the market on Friday.
★★★★☆
Juice up your devices even when there's no power socket in sight with Belkin's wall charger and power bank. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A wall charger is useless when there’s no power socket handy. That’s why Belkin recently launched one that has a built-in battery so it’s ready to charge up your iPhone even when you’re off the grid.
Belkin BoostCharge Hybrid Wall Charger 25W + Power Bank 5K has a pair of USB ports and flip-out power prongs for maximum adaptability.
I put it through a series of tests with my iPhone 15 Plus, and it came through quite well.
★★★★☆
No, NexDock isn't a laptop that runs iPadOS. It's better. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
NexDock lets you easily add a 13-inch external screen, keyboard and trackpad to your iPad or iPhone 15 and make them even more useful. Plus, there are bonus features: The all-in-one accessory recharges the Apple device, and includes a microSD card reader and an additional USB-C port.
I tested the Nex’s NexDock for this review, and found it a great fit for iPad — and a somewhat problematic one for iPhone 15, though a third-party app helps. Here’s why.
★★★★☆
The new version of the mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe is even more capable. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Roll out the mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe and it’s ready to juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Just drop the devices on their appropriate wireless charging mat. And, to make it easier to take on the road, the accessory comes with a carrying case.
I used the original 2022 model, and mophie introduced a new version in late 2023. I retested the multidevice travel charger to see how quickly it wirelessly powers up a variety of Apple products and how easy it is to carry around. Here are my updated results.
Insignia's 3-in-1 MagSafe charger is on sale, along with plenty of iPhone accessories from Apple and others. Photo: Best Buy
Here’s your last chance of the year to grab certain outstanding deals on iPhone accessories from Best Buy before 2024 comes along, including one item for an astounding 80% off the regular price.
Jump on the links below to nab bargains on iPhone cases, screen protectors, wallets and chargers. Keep in mind the examples below are just a sampling of all that’s on offer. Sales lasts through December 31.
★★★★☆
GameSir G8 Galileo makes iPhone gaming more fun. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Wrap your iPhone 15 in the GameSir G8 Galileo and you have the physical buttons, triggers and sticks needed for high-end gaming. And it has a USB-C port so it works with Apple’s latest handsets. Plus the game controller includes swappable sticks, pass-through charging, a headphone jack and more.
I tested GameSir G8 Galileo with my iPhone 15. I had a heck of a good time.
Gifting an iPhone for the holidays? Here's all you need to know. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Which iPhone is the best to buy as a gift? We’ll walk you through some of the best choices below, along with great accessories for new iPhone owners, including tough cases and handy MagSafe chargers.
Qi2 is MagSafe for iPhone and Android. Photo: WPC/Cult of Mac
The Wireless Power Consortium promised Wednesday that the first chargers using the emerging Qi2 standard will be on the market in time for the holiday season.
Qi2 unifies wireless charging for iPhone and Android, bringing the advantages of Apple’s MagSafe to rival handsets.
This $35 bundle includes everything you need to keep your iPhone ready for action. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
You don’t need to empty your bank account at the Apple Store to fully accessorize your iPhone. In the run-up to Black Friday, you can grab a useful five-piece iPhone accessory bundle on sale at a special low price of $34.97.
Usually worth $129, you won’t need a coupon code to bag this deal on handy iPhone accessories. But you will need to be quick, as it’ll only be available through November 16.
This iPhone accessory bundle is a game changer, and it's now only $49.99. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Owning an array of iPhone charging accessories can make life go more smoothly. Luckily, we’ve got a bundle that combines a plethora of accessories in one.
For a limited time, this five-piece iPhone accessory bundle is on sale for only $49.99 (regularly $129).
★★★★☆
PNY offers the cross-platform flash drive your iPhone needs. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Feeling jealous that iPhone 15 users can plug a thumb drive directly into their phone? Then you need the PNY Duo Link iOS USB 3.2 Dual Flash Drive. It has both a Lightning connector and USB-A connector, which makes it compatible with iPhone, iPad and Mac. Windows, too.
With it, you can copy images or other files between devices. Or backup your iPhone when you’re on the go.
I put PNY’s drive through its paces. Here’s what I found out.
★★★★☆
Don't struggle with on-screen controls when gaming on your iPhone. The Turtle Beach Atom Controller is the way to go. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Clip the Turtle Beach Atom Controller for iOS on either side of an iPhone to add the physical buttons and sticks that make high-end gaming much more fun. It mimics the brilliant design of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con with the controls set on either side of the display.
It’s ready for Apple Arcade games and cloud-gaming services, too. And don’t forget the console games Apple has promised to port to the iPhone 15 Pro.
I spent hours testing the controller (it’s a hard job I have) and I really like it. Here’s why.
You can never have too many cables. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
One of the best things about iPhone 15 is arguably its USB-C port, which makes connectivity a whole lot simpler. It means you can finally charge your iPhone with the same cables and chargers you might use for other devices, like iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Nintendo Switch and lots more.
If you don’t own any of those and you need to stock up on USB-C accessories, fear not. We rounded up the best USB-C cables and chargers you can buy right now for iPhone 15.
You don't have to buy AirPods to get decent earbuds from Apple for your Mac or iPad. Photo: Apple
Apple’s transition away from the old Lightning connector includes a USB-C version of EarPods, and these can now be purchased online for under $20.
The wired earbuds that come with iPhone are surprisingly good — audio quality is closer to AirPods than you might realize. And there are other advantages for Mac and iPad users, too.
This leather-wrapped three-in-one charger is on sale for just $99.99. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
This sleek 3-in-1 wireless charger is covered in genuine black leather and can charge iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods all at the same time.
It looks luxurious, but you can get it at an affordable price. It’s on sale for only $99.99 (regularly $149), and it can upgrade your current charging game in several ways.
Stop guessing about how much power is going to your devices. Photo: Plugable
You’ll always know how much current is flowing to your devices with the just-launched Plugable USB Type-C Extension Cable with Power Meter. A small display shows how many watts are being transferred by the affordable cable.
Plugable also introduced on Tuesday a tiny 30W USB-C GaN charger plus a 32W wall charger that includes USB-C, USB-A and AC power ports.
Made of carbon fiber, this tiny yet sturdy iPhone stand is perfect for creating or viewing content anywhere. Photo: Geometrical
Designed for iPhone photographers, the Pocket Tripod’s one-of-a-kind design allows it to fold up to the size of a credit card so it can fit easily into your wallet, pocket or bag. When you need an iPhone stand for something like a group photo, a long-exposure sunset shot or even to watch a video on a long flight, it folds out in seconds to support your most prized gadget.
Get two full recharges for your iPhone from Ugreen’s MagSafe power bank. Photo: Ugreen
The name for the Ugreen MagSafe 10,000mAh Battery Pack with Foldable Kickstand is a mouthful, but it’s also a full description of what the new accessory has to offer. Magnetically clip the power bank to the back of an iPhone and it’ll wirelessly recharge the handset. And the kickstand means it also functions as a stand.
The accessory can even recharge two other devices at the same time.
Here are some of the best travel accessories for MacBook, iPhone or iPad, even if you’re going way off the grid. Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
Whether you vacation at the beach, in the mountains or anywhere in between, you’ll surely bring your iPhone, Apple Watch and maybe an iPad or even a MacBook with you. We have suggestions for accessories to simplify keeping your gear charged and organized. Plus some to make the trip more fun.
We’ve tested all these gadgets so we know they do what they promise.
★★★★☆
The Pitaka MagEz Slider 2 is both a MagSafe iPhone stand and MagSafe power bank. Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac
The Pitaka MagEz Slider 2 combines a desktop stand for your iPhone with a MagSafe power bank, so your handset can get juiced up wherever you go. Just slide the external battery out and take it with you. As a bonus, the swiveling stand also includes an AirPods charger.
It originally launched in 2022, and there’s second-generation version out with an improved design. I put the updated charging stand on my desk to test it out in everyday use. Here’s what I found.
★★★★☆
Get rid of cable clutter with the SwitchEasy MagPower multidevice charger. Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac
The SwitchEasy MagPower 4-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand can wirelessly power up a MagSafe iPhone while also juicing up an Apple Watch, AirPods and more. And it even has a nightlight as a bonus.
I’ve had the stand either on my desk or beside my bed for a couple weeks now. Here’s what it’s like in real-world use.
You can take Instagram-worthy pictures of the night sky with the Vaonis Hestia. Photo: Vaonis
The Vaonis Hestia gives users a closer look at the moon, sun and stars, but it’s far from a traditional telescope. It’s designed to let beginners use their iPhone to view the heavens, easily find the celestial objects they want to see, and then photograph them.
It’s also quite portable. It’s ready to go with you to escape light pollution.
★★★★☆
This relatively inexpensive power bank from movie can add days of use to your devices. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The 2023 version of the mophie powerstation packs in 10,000 mAh and a trio of USB ports to charge your Apple or Android devices. It can keep an iPhone 14 going for a weekend, or give a boost to a MacBook or iPad.
I put the external battery to through testing to see how well it stands up to real-world use.
★★★★☆
Here's the Ezmo, laden with cash and cards, serving as an iPhone stand. You can widen the stand's angle and mount the iPhone in landscape orientation, too. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Whether you carry a wallet bursting at the seams or you’re a two-cards-and-cash-in-a-clip person, Journey has a new product you might want to give a go. It’s the Ezmo Magnetic Wallet and Phone Stand.
It’s a high-quality leather product that fixes to your iPhone. But whether you want it to be your daily carrier for cash and cards depends on how little you feel you can get by carrying around with you. The company sent me one to try out.