NYLON’s Booster Gift Guide 2021: The Apple Fan

Know an iPhone user? Great, they immediately qualify! Instead of fretting over which of our gift guide categories best suits your loved one, here are some thoughtful gifts that require less thought. After all, every Apple user wants the same things — a nice case for their prized possession, a decked-out charging port, and sleek but useful accessories for work and play.

NATIVE UNION CLIC CASE + SLING
— from $61, available at nativeunion.com.

Any person with an iPhone will love Native Union’s sleek cases with matching slings. We love that the cases can be used on their own without the sling, with no connectors sticking out, plus you can mix and match the smooth TPU or leather cases with paracord rope or leather slings. Also, all cases are made with recycled materials and sustainable leather.

CASETIFY PHONE STRAP
— US$35, available at casetify.com.

Happy straps in rainbow colours in both glossy and matte versions. They fit onto any Casetify case, or any case that has a hole to thread the strap through. In case you’re wondering, yes, these Y2K-era beaded straps are definitely trending now, here’s more to consider. 

XOUXOU PHONE CASES
— from €58, available at eu.xouxou.com.

The original necklace strap iPhone cases get better with every new collection. You can wear your phone as a necklace, or sling it crossbody; importantly, it’ll keep your hands free. What we love: you can mix and match your style and colour of strap (paracord rope or lanyard) with a case colour of your choosing — and there are many to choose from.

MOFT O SNAP PHONE STAND
— US$19.99, available at moft.us

The idea of a phone grip isn’t exactly new. What’s great here though is how multi-functional — and chic — this soft vegan leather tool is. Snap it on your phone and it will stay in play with strong magnets, while you can rotate it 360° and flip it out so it functions as a stand, both with the phone upright and on its side at various angles.

APPLE WATCH SERIES 7
— from $599 at apple.com.

The latest series of the Apple Watch has a larger display (but the physical size remains close to the previous versions), uses the same straps from previous series (your friends can reuse those Hermès straps they paid so much for), charges even faster, and is more durable than ever. 

TWELVE SOUTH AIRFLY PRO
— US$44.99, available at twelvesouth.com ; $84, available at apple.com

If you know someone intent on travelling, and yet want top-quality sound from their Apple headphones while on the in-flight entertainment system, this is it. The AirFly Pro is a tiny wired jack transmitter, or a wireless headphone adapter, that lets you use your AirPods or Beats wireless headphones in places that only have a headphone jack — and this isn’t limited to airplanes either. Think the treadmill at the gym, TVs at hotels, and non-Bluetooth speakers.

EMBER TEMPERATURE CONTROL MUG
— $169, available at apple.com.  

For those sick of cold coffee or tea that they’ve unfortunately left out for way too long, the app-controlled Ember Mug is a dream. You may pair it with an app on your iPhone or Apple Watch, in order to remotely set a precise drinking temperature (and a whole lot of other features) for your hot beverage; the mug then maintains that consistent temperature for about 1.5 hours, even without its charging coaster, so you’ll never feel disappointed again.

LOGITECH FOLIO TOUCH KEYBOARD CASE
— $239, available at logitech.com.

Those with an iPad Pro or iPad Air will love how slim yet versatile this all-in-one keyboard case is. Combining both a protective case and kickstand, with a foldable keyboard, and even a high-precision trackpad, this allows you to use your tablet as casually as you like, while also making room for those who like to use their device as a productive workstation.

 

NOMAD BASE STATION PRO
— US$199.95, available at nomadgoods.com.

What do you do when you’ve got way too many devices at once? The modern dilemma deserves a modern solution, in the form of the Base Station Pro. The roomy charging pad looks minimalist, but uses FreePower® technology and a matrix of 18 coils that allows you to simultaneously charge up to 3 devices anywhere. The padded leather surface will look sleek on any workspace too.

BELKIN BOOST↑CHARGE™ PRO 3-in-1 WIRELESS CHARGER 
— $209, available at Belkin authorised dealers. 

Once again, for the Apple fan who owns all the devices, this 3-in-1 wireless charging stand makes it really convenient to charge their Apple devices at once. There’s a charging stand for the iPhone 12 / 13, with a speedy charge of up to 15W, a magnetic charging module for the Apple Watch, and a wireless charging pad for your AirPods as well.

POLAROID LAB PHOTO PRINTER
— $228, available at Shopee

For all that technology has to offer, some old ways may be better. And for a truly analogue moment that feels like you’re creating photographs in a darkroom, we’ll turn to Polaroid. The Polaroid Lab is a photo printer, yes, but one that acknowledges the past by turning digital photographs into Polaroid ones using 100% real film chemistry. The result’s less predictable, but that’s the beauty of it really.

APPLE MAGSAFE BATTERY PACK
— $139, available at apple.com.

When all else fails, there’s always this trusty portable battery pack, one that offers extra juice without them ever losing it, since it snaps to the back of the latest iPhones with ease.