Technology

The best gifts for iPhone owners

Product photos of the items in this list against a blue background.

Gifting can be a huge gamble, but it’s hard to go wrong with a good phone accessory. From gamers to globetrotters, iPhone owners everywhere spend dozens of hours a week on their devices. Meet them where they’re at with gifts that run the gamut from pretty to practical.

For Apple nerds: a teeny-tiny Apple Macintosh phone charger

This adorable little PC is a scaled-to-size replica of the Macintosh monitor that started it all. It comes with a 35W USB-C output to charge the modern tech the Macintosh helped to create: the iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and even Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. For added nostalgia, the charger comes with mini screen-sized stickers for customizing its retro look.

For fashionistas: a fun phone strap

Crossbody straps for cellphones are slowly becoming one of the most functional and fashionable tech accessories on the market, with options for every budget. Casetify’s adjustable silver chain comes with a matching heart charm for added sweetness, while Urban Outfitters’ puffer strap is the perfect winter accessory and Bandolier’s genuine leather phone cases are a certifiably chic splurge.

Two product photos. In each a Caucasian hand is holding a phone with a lanyard attached, one light pink and one a grassy green.

Credit: Urban Outfitters

Puffer Phone Lanyard

$ 18 on Urban Outfitters

For social media mavens: TikTok-viral must-haves

A clip-on selfie light is not only Alix Earle-approved, it’s a must-have for looking your best in photos or on video calls. Pair it with the AirStik, a reusable wall cradle for your phone, for hands-free filming and photos.

For friends with flair: bedazzled accents

Add a little glam to the day with accents that shine. Velvet Caviar’s detachable camera lenses add subtle shimmer to the back of an iPhone, while a wall charger looks good hanging out by a bed or desk.

Product photo of the wall charger which is bedazzled in crystals.

Credit: Urban Outfitters

For friends who sing in the shower: A waterproof case and speaker

Designed with texting in mind (so you can safely check messages between rinses), this waterproof case comes in a variety of colors and will float if dropped in water. And while a phone’s built-in speakers a perfectly fine way to listen to the latest tunes, the JBL Go is a small but mighty upgrade that adds lush dimension to music, even as it bounces off tiles walls.

For those on the go: gloves you can type with

Moshi Store’s light knit gloves are a simple solution for pulling up directions or typing a timely text on a cold day. For more intense weather, consider Vessi’s fleece-lined, waterproof gloves in a range of shades.

For friends who forget their glasses: handy readers

These ThinOptics specs claim to be “the world’s thinnest armless readers.” Their sleek case sticks to the back of a phone, so the glasses are available at a moment’s notice. Available in magnifications of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5, they’re perfect for aging eyes or for friends who always forget their glasses.

For the class clown: a gift that will make them giggle

To repay the folks that make you laugh, consider a good old gag gift. A little umbrella is meant to make your screen easier to see in the sun, while the perfectly functional banana phone is sure to elicit some double-takes.

A mini umbrella, attached to the back of a phone to cover it from above. It's hot pink.

Credit: Vivounity

Phone Umbrella

$ 11.99 on Amazon

For travelers: a 3-in-1 travel charger

This nifty charger works with MagSafe-compatible iPhones, AirPods Pro, and the Apple Watch, charging up to three devices at once using a single streamlined wire. It comes in a rainbow array of color options, folds flat for charging, and then stacks right back up for easy storage.

For gamers: a mobile set up

These lightweight attachments transform an iPhone into a mobile gaming controller, adding an extra thrill to boring commutes or lazy Sundays. They come in a variety of colors and themes, from purple to Pokémon.

Mashable