News

Feb 28, 2025

Apex’s OhSnap Enhances Phone Capability With A Range Of Better Accessories – GrepBeat

Smartphone capabilities have skyrocketed in the past several years, with improved gaming power and camera quality at the forefront. But entrepreneur Dale Backus felt that the hardware of today’s

Smartphone capabilities have skyrocketed in the past several years, with improved gaming power and camera quality at the forefront. But entrepreneur Dale Backus felt that the hardware of today’s phones has lagged behind.

To enhance the functionality of these “flat rectangles,” Backus founded a startup called OhSnap that sells phone accessories, enabling customers to use their phones more effectively and powerfully.

“We want to augment your phone, or enhance it, in a way that’s still mobile-friendly,” Backus said.

Backus entered the technology space soon after graduating high school when he and his friend started a small production agency called Five Point Productions. They created an advertisement that won a competition to be aired during the Super Bowl, propelling their company’s success. However, Backus said the cameras he and his team had were insufficient, so he started designing smaller pieces of equipment that could enhance their existing technology—eventually launching a new company called SmallHD.

From there, Backus wanted to get into a larger consumer market. Upon discovering the handy, hit phone grips known as PopSockets in 2016, he felt he could expand on the idea. He liked the concept of a PopSocket but wanted to make it slimmer and add functionality.

OhSnap’s first product was the Snap Grip, which used a tension spring (the same kind a snap bracelet uses), allowing a user to pop the grip out when they want to hold or prop up their phone. The Snap Grip also has a magnet, so the phone can be mounted to a refrigerator, car mount, or anything else magnetic. When collapsed, however the grip is thinner than a phone’s camera bumps.

“You won’t really notice it’s there when you’re not using it, but when you are ready to use it, it helps you out. It doesn’t get in the way,” Backus said.

The newer versions of the product also have “MagSafe” technology, enabling any compatible phone to be charged with Apple’s MagSafe wireless chargers even through OhSnap’s products. Backus said OhSnap is one of the only companies that offer phone grips that don’t need to be removed for wireless charging.

OhSnap now sells about 15 product variations, including phone stands, car mounts and expandable wallets. The wallet can accommodate up to eight cards, but otherwise will lay flat against the phone so as to not get in the way.

All of OhSnap’s products can be purchased through their website or at several major retailers, including Best Buy and Target.

A recent move into gaming

This year, OhSnap will launch a MagSafe game controller, called MCON. Backus said that at about three-quarters of an inch thick, the MCON will be the “world’s smallest” mobile gaming controller.

The controller magnetically attaches to the back of the phone, and—with the press of a button—slides out to reveal joysticks and buttons. MCON’s founder Josh King finished the first prototype in 2023 and ultimately partnered with OhSnap to refine and release the product.

“It’s a really innovative product that I think will do extraordinarily well,” Backus said.

OhSnap unveiled the MCON at CES 2025 and saw it become something of an instant sensation, with testers praising its adaptability, ergonomic feel, and “responsive controls.” The device quickly racked up major numbers in its Kickstarter campaign, and in February, King and the rest of the product design team traveled to China to kick off MCON’s production.

All of OhSnap’s design and development is done in Apex, including the production of prototypes. Mass manufacturing is done in China, where most of the world’s magnet production takes place. Backus said he would like to start manufacturing in the U.S. at some point.

“Even if I said, ‘You know what, we’re going to open up an assembly facility here,’ we’re still going to be sourcing components and raw materials from China, because you literally can’t do it any other way,” Backus said. “So, we’re evaluating all that right now, and that might change in the future – and I hope it does. But for now, it’s all done in China.”

QUICK BITSStartup: OhSnapFounder: Dale Backus (CEO)Founded: 2019Team size: 20Location: Apex, NCWebsite: www.ohsnap.comFunding: Convertible note of $1.1M

Due to much-publicized changes in tariff policy in the early days of the second Trump administration, Backus said the future is uncertain. OhSnap operates under the de minimis rule, which allows companies to import bulk product into Canada and from there ship individual packages to customers in the U.S. This rule was canceled briefly and then reinstated earlier in February.

Backus said OhSnap will need a longer term strategy to deal with tariff increases moving forward.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the startup is beginning to make a habit of setting new standards for mobile device accessories—first with its sleeker PopSocket alternative and, soon enough, with the MCON game controller.