What do you get when you cross an Otterbox Symmetry case with a PopSockets PopGrip? You get the Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case. You get the best of both worlds with a protective iPhone case and a PopSockets PopGrip built right in. The PopGrip is swappable so you can buy several and change them out for different looks.

Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case

Price: From $50Bottom line: Otterbox and PopSockets collaborated to create this clever case with a swappable PopGrip built right in.

The Good

Protective case
PopGrip is built in
PopGrip folds flat
Fun selection of colors and patterns

The Bad

Not compatible with some wireless charging
No good without the PopGrip

Two products in one

Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case: Features

OtterBox Otter + Pop Symmetry Case — (Image credit: Karen S. Freeman)

The Otterbox Symmetry case is a solid, protective case. It's a medium weight case; it's pretty slim for a case that offers this much protection. When you look at the camera cutout, you can see how thick the case is, particularly towards the middle of the case, but it doesn't feel overly bulky in the hand. It still fits into pockets easily. There are three cutouts on the bottom of the case for the Lightning port and speakers. There's a cutout for the mute switch and nice clicks button covers for all the buttons.

The back of the case is a hard plastic while the edges are more rubbery. The case is pretty easy to put on and take off. Otterbox is engraved on the back of the case as well as along one side. The edge of the case comes up well over the screen, which offers your phone's screen some protection when you place it facedown.

It's like Otterbox and PopSockets had a baby.

The back of the case has a hole with the words "Made for PopSockets" engraved around it. You really wouldn't want to use the case without any PopSocket in place; it would look weird. The case comes with one PopGrip, but you can buy more and swap them out as you like. Mine, in the color Mauveolous, came with a matching PopSocket PopGrip, but I also got a cute llama one which you see in my photos. To remove the PopGrip, you just press and twist, much like opening a medication bottle. Once your PopGrip is in place, it feels very secure, probably even more secure than the stick-on kind. When you press it down, it's nearly flush with the with case and out of the way.

The Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case comes in a handful of set color combinations, plus you can customize your case so it comes with the PopGrip of your choice. There are five different case colors and 14 different PopGrips you can mix and match. Additionally, you can buy more PopGrips separately. The series is available for all iPhones from the iPhone 7/8 forward.

Fun and function

Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case: What I like

This case is a winner. My iPhone feels securely protected, yet it's not too bulky for someone like me who prefers thinner cases. I find I love the PopGrip, it does make taking photos and even just texting more comfortable since you don't have to make that "pinkie shelf" in order to hold your phone.

I love the color choices and particularly the wide range of PopGrips from which to choose. You could change the PopGrips out to suit your outfit or your mood each day.

Committed to the PopGrip

Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case: What I don't like

You really can't use this case without a PopGrip. I mean, technically you can, but it looks odd without it. So you're committed to having that PopGrip on there all the time.

Wireless charging compatibility with the Otter + Pop is mixed. In our testing, we could successfully charge an iPhone XS with the case and PopGrip on on some wireless charging pads, but not others. Brand quality doesn't seem to be the deciding factor, either.

Editor's Note: I can wirelessly charge with the Otter + Pop case on my iPhone XS with the Nomad Hub (opens in new tab), for example, but it doesn't pick up the charge when I set it on my Nomad Base Station (opens in new tab). - Lory Gil

Cool product

Otterbox Otter + Pop Symmetry Series iPhone Case: Bottom line

You get the best of both worlds with this case. You're getting Otterbox's famous protection plus PopSockets' famous convenience.

See at Otterbox (opens in new tab)

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Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at CNET. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, AppAdvice, WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.