Our pick of this year’s best kit for gifts this holiday season
Looking to purchase a great gift for the iPhone enthusiast in your life? Or needing suggestions for your own wish list? Here are 12 products guaranteed to bring plenty of seasonal cheer to any iPhone owner.
Apple HomePod mini ($99/£99)
The HomePod mini packs a punch in all sorts of ways. The grapefruit-sized speaker captures the eye, with its stylish colors. Powerful sound pleases the ears. And Siri turns the petite orb into a smart assistant. Also, if you’ve several around the home, the Intercom feature means there’s no need to yell when dinner’s ready.
Apple TV 4K (from $129/£149)
The Apple TV 4K is a best-in-class streaming TV gadget. It’s a cinch to access a range of services, by way of the sleek, streamlined interface. Apps bolster the experience, as does a subscription to Apple Arcade, which along with a controller can transform this little black box into a tiny games console.
Apple AirPods Pro ($249/£229)
AirPods Pro justify their hefty price tag by way of superb immersive audio, and adaptive modes that let you block out the world – or just reduce loud environmental noise or dangerous volume at concerts. Four sets of ear tips ensure they’ll fit every ear, and the new USB-C case with precision finding brings AirPods Pro bang up to date.
Apple AirTag ($29/£35 for one or $99/£119 for four)
Although Apple didn’t pioneer the tracking device market, AirTags are the optimal option for iPhone users. These tiny discs can be discreetly placed in luggage, cleverly concealed on bicycles, or securely fastened to keys using a strap. The global iPhone network utilized by AirTags ensures you’ll never lose sight of your belongings again.
Backbone One ($99.99/£99.99)
Not every game is suited to a touchscreen. That’s where Backbone One comes in, turning your iPhone into a handheld games console with physical controls. It’s powered by the phone and so doesn’t need charging, and even has a wired headphone port. Just be mindful to buy the right model, because Lightning and USB-C variants are available.
Adonit Mark ($9.99/£15)
You’ll not get the nuance of an Apple Pencil with an Adonit Mark. But then this stylus’s price is around a tenth of Apple’s, making it more stocking filler than main gift. Moreover, it instantly works with iPad and iPhone (no pairing nor charging needed), and is perfectly suited to jotting down notes or delving into digital art.
IK Multimedia iRig Keys I/O (from $229.99/£229.99)
Music-making apps exist for iPhone, but playing virtual keyboards on a small screen is rarely much fun. However, if you’ve an iPhone 15, you can connect it to iRig Keys I/O via USB-C. Whatever your favored app, the result is transformative. Just be mindful you’ll also need wired headphones to plug into the iRig Keys I/O itself.
Fujifilm Instax mini Link 2 ($99.95/£114.99)
Digital snaps are handy to share but transient. Printed pictures make for better memories. The Instax mini Link 2 makes printing immediate, portable and fun, with its cute credit card-sized prints. The app/hardware combination also adds creativity to the mix, with filters and the means to wave the device around to ‘light paint’ on to photos.
Marshall Willen ($119.99/£99.99)
There are cheaper wireless speakers around. But we love that the Marshall Willen looks like a tiny guitar amp. Despite its diminutive nature, this speaker can bring the noise. And unlike a real guitar amp, this one has IP67 water resistance, meaning it can deal with the elements if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Moft Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet ($29.99/£29.99)
The Moft Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet is a two-in-one. It’ll snugly hold a couple of credit cards, but it can also quickly turn into a stand, so you can watch videos on your phone. This all works via magnets, so there’s no messy adhesive. Also consider the Snap Phone Tripod Stand, which in a broadly literal sense takes an iPhone to new heights.
Joby GripTight GorillaPod for MagSafe ($69.95/£62.95)
Don’t miss capturing a perfect selfie when there’s nowhere to safely prop up your iPhone. With a GripTight GorillaPod for MagSafe, your iPhone can be attached to or balanced on almost any object or surface. And although the MagSafe design speeds things along, there’s also a clamp for when you need the most secure connection.
Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe ($149.95/£149.95)
If there’s one commonality with everyone’s devices, it’s that they need recharging. The Anker 3-in-1- Cube with MagSafe is an innovative option, in being a tiny cube – which makes it portable for when you’re traveling. It can simultaneously charge an iPhone (including in landscape for StandBy), an Apple Watch and a pair of AirPods.