Gift ideas for your friend who can’t put down their iPhone
The internet is full of gifts that can spice up any iPhone, even newer models that are almost too good to be true. From your luddite friend who wants something basic to your roommate who's into really weird stuff, everyone has an iPhone accessory that's perfect for them.
We've combed through the internet to find the coolest iPhone accessories around, for both the most mainstream and most offbeat of your friends. Here are some gifts to buy:
Charge it up!
Perfect for: The friend who has a million gadgets to charge
Portable power supplies company Jackery makes a bunch of excellent battery chargers, but our absolute favorite is the Jackery Bolt, one of its fastest and most convenient chargers. The company claims that the Bolt will charge your phone twice as fast as an iPhone charger will, so it's great for power in a hurry.
This battery also has two built-in charging cables, a lightning cord and a micro USB cord, as well as a USB port. This means your friend can use this $30 device to charge up to three devices at once, or charge two while the Bolt itself is charging.
Phone on the go
Perfect for: The friend who has a long commute
If you're shopping for a friend who has a car, the WizGear Magnetic Car Mount will make their life way, easier. They can stick this mount to their window, and then stick their phone right to the magnetic mount, even if the phone has a case.
What's more, they can easily swivel their phone sideways or upside down without it falling off the window. For only $9, this mount is a solid deal.
Light up their lives
Perfect for: The friend who loves being the center of attention
Ever wanted your iPhone case to light up? You will after seeing the new Case-Mate Luminescence.
This case is spectacular. It has two different parts: a soft inner shell, and an outer plastic cover inlaid with "genuine crystals" according to Case-Mate's website. With a touch of a button, the crystals light up, creating a gorgeous illuminating effect (you can also dim them). The case's two-layer construction offers solid protection from drops and jostles.
You can purchase it on Case-Mate's website for iPhone 6/6s/6 Plus/6s Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 8/8 Plus, and iPhone X. It's $80, but it might actually be worth the price: Every single Amazon reviewer has given five stars. And if you don't mind a third-party vendor, Amazon is selling it for $20 cheaper.
Never be without your cable
Perfect for: The friend whose phone is always dead
inCharge is a USB cable that folds up and fits on a keyring. Its ends are magnetic, so it's super easy to snap on and off.
It's just $12, and it'll make sure your friend never gets caught with a dead phone again. As a bonus, they'll no longer have a dead phone as an excuse for ignoring your texts. It's a win for everyone!
Find your mood
Perfect for: The friend who's not sure how they feel
Much like the mood rings that were all the rage in the 90s and early 2000s, the Case-Mate Mood changes color based on its holder's emotions. Purple means "romantic," light blue means "active," dark blue means "lovable," and pink means "happy."
The case also comes with dual-layer protection to save your friend's phone from scrapes and bruises. Plus, it's $50 -- steep, but cheaper than the luminescence, and it ships for free in the U.S.
Always carry extra juice
Perfect for: The friend who owns everything leather
This gorgeous leather wallet secretly doubles as a backup iPhone battery, bringing style and power all in one.
Selling for $77.95, the Nomad Charging Wallet is manufactured by Horween Leather Company, one of the oldest American leather tanneries. Built into the side is a battery and lightning charger, almost completely hidden until your friend requires their services.
Slay your wallet
Perfect for: The friend who never has pockets
The Q Card Wallet Slayer Vol.2 is Amazon's #1 newly released wallet cell phone case, and deservedly so. It's a phone case that doubles as a wallet, and it can hold up to three cards and cash.
It's $24.99 on Amazon, but that's a small price to pay to make your friend's complaints about having nowhere to carry their wallet a thing of the past. It's available for iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 8/8 Plus, and iPhone X.
Put a ring on it
Perfect for: The friend who's more fashionable than you
The Case-Mate Dotted Ring is just like the old-fashioned jewel-studded ring of your dreams, except that it's much cheaper, and also attaches to your phone.
By keeping their phone around their finger with this accessory, your friend can keep a close hold on their phone, and look glamorous while doing it. This ring is sold out on Case-Mate's website, but is available from T-Mobile for $14.99.
Keep tabs on your phone
Perfect for: The friend who always loses their phone
You know the friend: They're always losing their phone, and they can't find it by calling it, because it's always on silent mode. The Tile Style will save them from themselves.
For $35, this stylish bluetooth tracker will clip onto your keyring, purse, camera, or suitcase. Lose your phone? If you press Tile's center button your phone will ring, even if it's on silent.
Tile also works in reverse: If you lose the thing, it's attached to, so you can find it with an app on your phone.
Be Instagram famous
Perfect for: The friend who loves Instagram, but has no camera
The AUKEY Ora 2-in-1 Lens Kit will help your friend take the professional-quality Instagram photos they've always wanted to, for just $19.99. The kit includes a 140° Wide-Angle lens and a 10x Macro lens, both of which can be attached to an iPhone camera to take stunning landscapes, portraits, close-ups, and more.
The lens is easy to assemble, and rubber pads ensure the clip won't scratch your friend's device.
...Putin?
Perfect for: The friend who just wants to be left alone
We all have that friend who really wants Russian statesmen in their pocket, right?
Look no further than the Satanic Putin, for sale on Redbubble for a refreshingly reasonable $25. Its black eyes are creepy enough that there's no way this phone is ever getting stolen. Come on, look into his eyes. Would you steal this phone?
That said, whatever you do, don't look at the other cases for sale on this site. They're quite disturbing. Seriously, just don't.
Mashable will be posting every gift guide you could possible need in the weeks leading up to Christmas, so keep an eye on our Gift Guide page so you don't miss out.
Topics iPhone
Monica wrote for Mashable's Tech section with a focus on retail, internet of things, and the intersections of technology and social justice. She holds a degree in creative writing from Brown University, and has previously written for Dow Jones Media, the New York Post, Yahoo Finance, and others. In her free time, she can be found attempting to cook Asian food, buying board games, and looking for new hobbies.
