In a groundbreaking development addressing the burgeoning concern of privacy in modern medical technology, researchers at the University of Kansas have unveiled a transformative artificial intelligence (AI) model designed specifically to safeguard sensitive biometric data embedded within electrocardiograms (ECGs). This innovation is poised to reshape how medical institutions share and analyze vital cardiovascular data without compromising patient confidentiality. Electrocardiograms have long been renowned for their role in capturing the heart’s electrical activity to diagnose and monitor cardiac health; however, as AI integration deepens, these signals inadvertently reveal more than just clinical information — exposing personal attributes such as sex, age, race, and even uniquely identifiable biometric markers.

The research team at Kansas, led by doctoral candidate Fairuz Shadmani Shishir in collaboration with the KU Medical Center, has pioneered the privacy-preserving variational autoencoder (PP-VAE). This novel AI architecture is specially engineered to retain the clinical utility of ECG data while systematically obfuscating sensitive biometric features that might otherwise be inferred through advanced AI analysis. The dual objective of PP-VAE is both technically sophisticated and ethically imperative, ensuring that predictive diagnostic accuracy remains uncompromised while minimizing the risk of privacy breaches inherent in sharing raw biomedical signals.

Electrocardiograms, traditionally viewed as a straightforward diagnostic tool, have grown in complexity with modern AI techniques that can extrapolate a multiplicity of patient traits beyond the cardiovascular parameters they were designed to measure. Shishir notes that these advanced systems can uncover “soft biometrics” such as demographic information, which raises pressing data governance and patient privacy challenges. By developing PP-VAE, the researchers aim to reimagine ECG data processing whereby sensitive attributes are masked without degrading the signal quality necessary for important medical prognoses, such as identifying patients at risk of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) abnormalities, a critical indicator linked to heart failure and mortality risk.

The technical underpinning of PP-VAE involves training independent convolutional neural networks to disentangle and suppress identifiable biometric markers while preserving clinically relevant features within the ECG signal. This balancing act required careful engineering to ensure that the encoded ECG data remained diagnostically rich, capable of supporting predictions related to conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy and forecasting five-year mortality risk. The research showcased that their method consistently outperformed or competed with other state-of-the-art AI models, marking a significant stride in machine learning’s ability to harmonize privacy with clinical efficacy.

Importance of such privacy-preserving strategies becomes particularly clear against the backdrop of the healthcare industry’s increasing reliance on data sharing for collaborative research, AI model development, and multi-institutional patient care coordination. The KU team articulates that unrestricted data sharing without privacy controls introduces tangible risk vectors for patient re-identification and misuse. PP-VAE proposes a scalable approach toward enabling secure exchange of ECG data, thus fostering innovation and improving medical outcomes while staunchly protecting individual privacy rights.

This research also touches on the profound issue of bias within AI-driven medical diagnostics, which has historically contributed to disparities in healthcare delivery among marginalized populations. The team consciously incorporated balanced datasets reflective of gender and racial diversity in their model training to mitigate bias and improve generalized performance across varied demographic groups. While initial validations were primarily conducted using data from KU Medical Center and publicly available datasets, future work is projected to expand this cross-regional training, enhancing the robustness and impartiality of the model when applied globally.

Another compelling facet of this breakthrough is the planned public release of the PP-VAE model, reflecting the researchers’ commitment to transparency, collaboration, and democratization of AI tools in medicine. By allowing institutions worldwide to access and further refine the model with local datasets, the innovation promises to catalyze a new era of secure, privacy-conscious healthcare analytics. Adoption of PP-VAE could alleviate prevalent trust issues among patients concerned about the confidentiality of their biometric health information—a critical barrier to broader acceptance of AI-driven healthcare technologies.

Furthermore, the researchers discuss the broader implications for data-driven diagnosis, illustrating how balancing the protection of sensitive attributes with clinical utility could become a standard principle in biomedical AI applications beyond cardiology. This approach offers a blueprint for addressing ethical and privacy challenges that increasingly pervade the intersection of health data science and artificial intelligence.

The University of Kansas team’s work is also distinguished by its multidisciplinary nature, featuring collaboration between electrical engineering, computer science, and cardiovascular medicine experts. Such an integrated approach enabled the synthesis of advanced machine learning expertise with intimate clinical insight, culminating in a pragmatic solution tailored precisely to real-world healthcare needs.

This pioneering study was recently published in Scientific Reports, showcasing detailed methodology, experimental evaluations, and comparative performance analyses that underscore the efficacy and potential transformative impact of PP-VAE. Supported by the American Heart Association, this research is an exemplar of innovative technological stewardship addressing one of the most pressing challenges in digital health.

As AI continues to proliferate across medical diagnostics, models like PP-VAE will undeniably play a critical role in shaping ethical frameworks and technological architectures for future patient data management. By protecting sensitive biometric identifiers embedded in ECG data, the model not only preserves patient autonomy but also enhances the potential for AI-driven insights to be safely harnessed for better clinical outcomes worldwide.

The journey ahead involves validating and deploying this technology in diverse healthcare environments globally to ensure scalability, efficacy, and fairness remain intact as data heterogeneity increases. Yet, with the foundational work from the University of Kansas, a robust and privacy-conscious approach to ECG analysis and beyond appears well within reach, heralding a new era of secure AI-driven cardiovascular care.

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Subject of Research: Privacy-preserving AI models for electrocardiogram data analysis
Article Title: Safeguarding Patient Privacy in Electrocardiogram Analysis with AI-driven Models
Web References: Scientific Reports Article
Image Credits: Fairuz Shadmani Shishir / University of Kansas

Keywords

Privacy-preserving AI, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Variational Autoencoder, Convolutional Neural Networks, Biomedical Data Security, Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction, Patient Privacy, Machine Learning Bias, Medical Data Sharing, Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Clinical Decision Support

In a groundbreaking discovery that broadens our understanding of marine life communication, researchers at Oregon State University have identified a novel chemical signaling mechanism among bat rays (Myliobatis californica) that warns conspecifics of looming threats. This chemical disturbance cue, previously documented only in bony fish, now emerges as a key anti-predator strategy in cartilaginous fishes—specifically rays—revealing a layer of behavioral complexity that challenges long-held assumptions about elasmobranch social interactions.

Dr. Joshua Bowman, leading the study from OSU’s Big Fish Lab, devised an elegant experimental setup employing three isolated tanks interconnected through water flow but segregated visually and acoustically to eliminate confounding sensory influences. Each tank housed an individual bat ray, with one designated as the “signaler” and the other two as “receivers.” By simulating predatory pressure through a gentle chase of the signaler ray, the experimenters induced a natural defensive response while ensuring no physical harm.

Strikingly, within mere seconds of the signaler tank’s water being directed towards the receiver tanks, the bat rays in these isolated environments exhibited marked behavioral shifts characterized by increased swimming speed and evasive maneuvers. These responses mimic a flight reaction, confirming the transfer of a chemical alarm cue through the aquatic medium—a sensory pathway previously undocumented in cartilaginous species.

This discovery bears profound implications for understanding elasmobranch ecology and survival strategies. Bat rays, along with sharks and skates, belong to a class of cartilaginous fishes characterized by their distinct evolutionary lineage and physiology. These findings suggest sophisticated intraspecies chemical communication channels functioning as early-warning systems against predation risks, potentially reshaping our perception of their behavioral ecology.

Moreover, the research carries significance beyond bat rays. Whites sharks, apex predators renowned for their fearsome reputation, are known to exhibit avoidance behaviors when orcas, their potential predators, are nearby. Yet, these sharks often do not have direct visual contact with orcas. This study’s insights into chemical alarm signaling hint at unseen communication mechanisms that might underlie such evasive behavior, opening new avenues for exploration into shark sensory biology and their interactions within the marine predator-prey network.

The experiment’s methodological rigor enhances the credibility of these findings. By isolating variables—eliminating acoustic and visual cues—the team conclusively linked behavioral changes to chemical signals. High-resolution overhead video recordings captured nuanced shifts in locomotion dynamics, quantitatively analyzing the rays’ rapid swimming velocity increases immediately following exposure to the alarm chemicals. These data underscore a robust flight response triggered solely by chemical disturbance cues.

While the precise chemical compound or combination responsible for the alarm signaling remains unidentified, the study establishes a foundation for future biochemical and molecular investigations. Identifying the molecular structure of the alarm cue could unlock transformative understandings of elasmobranch chemical ecology, potentially informing conservation strategies and offering biomarkers for monitoring stress responses in marine populations.

Importantly, the research foregrounds broader ecological and ethical considerations. The evolutionary origin of these chemical disturbance cues underscores their critical role in survival and natural behavior modulation. Human interactions—whether through scientific research, fisheries, or recreational activities—may inadvertently trigger stress dissemination across populations via such chemical signals, amplifying disturbance impacts beyond the initially affected individual.

The OSU Big Fish Lab, recognized as a leading shark research facility on the U.S. West Coast, continues to spearhead innovative studies uncovering the intricate lives of marine cartilaginous fishes. This collaboration, involving co-authors Jamie Cornelius and Mauricio Cantor, integrates expertise spanning marine ecology, physiology, and animal behavior, thereby enhancing multidisciplinary perspectives crucial to advancing marine science frontiers.

By employing bat rays as a proxy for studying elusive white shark behavior, the researchers circumvent logistical challenges inherent to large predator studies. Bat rays’ accessibility and manageable size provide an ethical and practical model to dissect communication modalities applicable across related species, ensuring experimental feasibility while preserving ecological validity.

This study, recently published in the Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology, represents a significant milestone in marine biology. It not only documents, for the first time, chemically mediated disturbance cues in cartilaginous fishes but also stimulates critical reflection on the sensory worlds of sharks and rays, organisms whose behavioral sophistication may be far richer than previously appreciated.

Collectively, these findings herald a paradigm shift in our understanding of underwater communication networks. They remind us that aquatic ecosystems host complex, often hidden, language systems integral to species survival. As we deepen our inquiry into these chemical dialogues, we unlock new insights essential for protecting marine biodiversity in a rapidly changing ocean environment.

Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Behavioral Evidence for a Chemical Disturbance Cue in Bat Rays (Myliobatis californica)
News Publication Date: 10-Jun-2026
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jez.70102
References: Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology
Keywords: chemical disturbance cue, bat rays, cartilaginous fish, elasmobranchs, shark behavior, marine communication, anti-predator strategy, predator-prey interactions, aquatic chemical signaling, flight response, marine ecology, behavioral study

Father’s Day is nearly here. Hopefully, you already got a gift for dads you care about, but if not, here’s a quick, easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys a good comic strip. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes contains every one of Bill Watterson’s beloved strips made during the comic’s ten-year run from 1985 through 1995, packed in three deluxe hardcover books, for $89.48 at Amazon when you check the on-page coupon. The set originally sold for $225, but it’s often available for around $130. This is the best price I’ve seen it sell for.

The lighthearted, kid-friendly comics couldn’t be more different from Watterson’s darker, adult-themed The Mysteries, which brought him out of retirement with its 2023 launch.

If you’re thinking of getting dad a book, but aren’t sure Calvin and Hobbes is the right pick, there are some good deals happening on gorgeous hardcover versions of The Lord of the Rings and other tales in the franchise. The deluxe slipcase hardcover version of The Lord of the Rings that includes illustrations by the author J.R.R. Tolkien himself is $105.14 at Amazon, its lowest price in about a year.

He can go further back in the lore with Silmarillion, the prequel to The Hobbit and to The Lord of the Rings. It, too, is illustrated, comes in a bold hardcover, and is down to its lowest price in a while. The book costs $30.50 at Amazon, while the slipcase hardcover version of The Hobbit that contains illustrations is $81.41.

If you’re looking for a cheap Father’s Day gift that delivers more than you’d expect for the price, Nothing’s Ear (a) are a good option. The wireless earbuds are currently on sale as part of a larger early Prime Day sales event, making them an even better value than usual. Right now, you can buy them at Amazon in black complete with Nothing’s slick translucent charging case for $53.20 ($47 off), which marks a new all-time low. You can also buy them in yellow (Amazon, Nothing) and white (Amazon, Nothing) for just $3 more.

The Nothing Ear (a) are one of our favorite affordable pairs of wireless earbuds, and for good reason. They offer a surprising number of features for their price, including a low-latency gaming mode that helps reduce lag while playing games. Nothing phone owners can also access ChatGPT with a quick pinch gesture, while support for multipoint Bluetooth pairing lets you stay connected to two devices at once. The earbuds also work with Android Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, making setup quick and painless.

More importantly, they nail the essentials. The earbuds deliver expressive, enjoyable sound, while offering noise cancellation to cut down on distractions. Nothing has also improved voice call performance with AI-powered voice isolation, which helps your voice come through more clearly in noisy environments. Three sizes of silicone ear tips are included to help you find a secure fit, while their IP54 rating provides protection against sweat and light rain. Battery life is solid, too, lasting up to eight hours before you need to recharge.

Read our hands-on impressions of the Nothing Ear (a)

More good deals from Nothing’s sale:

Physicists report the discovery of new evidence for a mysterious quantum state in an unusual class of materials, in findings that could illuminate a long-running debate over how these systems transition into superconductivity.

In physics, symmetry breaking refers to processes in which a symmetric state collapses from its initial state of disorder into a more ordered one, albeit now possessing less symmetry.

The new research findings reveal evidence that time-reversal symmetry, a fundamental kind of symmetry in nature, appears to be broken at temperatures significantly higher than previously recognized.

The research was detailed in a recent study published in Nature Physics.

Mysterious Kagome Metals

In their study, an international team of researchers led by a team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology focused on what are known as kagome metals—a variety of ferromagnetic quantum materials possessing unique qualities.

For their study, the researchers used a specific kagome metal called Cesium Vanadium Antimonide (CsV₃Sb₅), a novel material first discovered in 2021 by researchers at UC Santa Barbara’s NSF Quantum Foundry.

The researchers found that during experiments with the material, which is recognized as a candidate superconductor, CsV₃Sb₅ showed indications that time-reversal symmetry was broken at temperatures significantly higher than previously recognized.

This is significant because it is suggestive of an elusive phenomenon physicists call loop-current order, which describes a state in which the circulation of electrons throughout a material occurs in persistent microscopic loops.

A Signal Emerges

Using an advanced photoemission technique, the team was able to uncover subtle differences in the way electrons respond to circularly polarized light, which is light that is produced using an electric field vector that rotates in a circle as the light wave propagates, equaling one complete rotation for each wavelength.

Based on the team’s measurements, a distinctive signal emerged, which they say is consistent with a time-reversal symmetry-breaking state, meaning that their observations provide what may be the best experimental evidence to-date for an exotic quantum state of matter known as loop-current order, wherein electrons spontaneously assume microscopic wave-like formations.

Loop-current order in kagome metals has been an ongoing area of study for physicists, and the team’s new findings offer what may be the best evidence yet uncovered.

Exotic States and High-Temperature Superconductivity

One reason the team’s findings are so significant is that their results offer some clarity for the otherwise complex sequence of phase transitions that are known to occur within CsV₃Sb₅.

Based on their research, the team now believes loop-current order manifests as the temperature begins to decrease, which is then followed by a periodic rearrangement of electrons known as a charge density wave. Finally, superconductivity then follows, accompanied by the absence of electrical resistance altogether.

Fundamentally, the team’s work could offer new insights into the behavior and characteristics of strongly correlated quantum materials, which could hold promise for future studies involving the mechanisms that produce exotic states of matter.

“These insights deepen our understanding of the phase landscape in kagome metals and highlight connections with a correlated system exhibiting analogous transition hierarchy,” the team reports.

In the future, such studies may also help scientists finally attain the long-sought goal of high-temperature superconductivity, whereby materials capable of conducting electricity with zero resistance, and at temperatures above 30 K (-243°C), helping to reduce the current expenses associated with cooling systems required for superconducting, and ultimately helping to bring these high-power engineering technologies into commercial viability.

The team’s recent study, “Evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking above the charge density wave order in a kagome metal,” was published in Nature Physics.

Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. A longtime reporter on science, defense, and technology with a focus on space and astronomy, he can be reached at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow him on X @MicahHanks, and at micahhanks.com.

In the profound depths of rocky planets like Earth and Mars, the precise chemical states of mantle minerals play a foundational role in shaping planetary evolution. Among these chemical states, the oxidation state of iron profoundly influences mantle melting behaviors, volcanic gas compositions, and ultimately, the nature of a planet’s surface environment. While the elemental presence of iron in the mantle is well-known, the subtle balance between its ferrous (Fe²⁺) and ferric (Fe³⁺) forms remains a challenging frontier to unravel, particularly under the extreme pressures and temperatures encountered in planetary interiors.

The early stages of planetary formation are marked by the existence of a vast magma ocean—a molten silicate layer blanketing the young Earth and Mars. During this epoch, the oxidation state at which iron integrates into forming minerals dictates subsequent mantle properties and evolution. Accurately determining the Fe³⁺ content in minerals crystallized within this magma ocean stands as a critical step toward understanding the oxidation dynamics that influenced core-mantle differentiation and surface volatile release in nascent planets.

A mineral of prime relevance in this context is majorite, a high-pressure silicate phase stable at depths ranging roughly from 500 to 600 kilometers within Earth’s mantle and near the base of the Martian mantle. Its stability under simultaneously high-pressure and high-temperature conditions makes majorite a significant reservoir for iron deep within these planetary interiors. Therefore, quantifying the Fe³⁺ concentration hosted within majorite under early magma ocean conditions bears directly on models of mantle redox evolution and volatile mobility.

Researchers at Ehime University’s Geodynamics Research Center have pioneered the synthesis of Fe³⁺-rich majorite coexisting with molten silicate magma at pressures around 18 gigapascals and temperatures between 2150 and 2200 degrees Celsius. Utilizing a multi-anvil apparatus capable of reproducing these extreme conditions, the team closely simulated the environment of the early magma ocean. High-precision X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy was then employed at the renowned SPring-8 synchrotron facility to accurately assess the valence state of iron within the synthesized majorite crystals.

The findings reveal an unexpectedly high Fe³⁺ content in majorite crystallized from the magma ocean, second only to bridgmanite, Earth’s most abundant lower mantle mineral. This marked enrichment in ferric iron suggests that early mantle minerals could accommodate significant oxidation capacity, challenging earlier assumptions that high-pressure silicates predominantly contain iron in the ferrous state. The implication is that the early mantle harbored more oxidized iron species than previously anticipated, impacting mantle viscosity, melting relations, and the capacity to store volatile elements.

Importantly, as mantle solids ascend toward shallower depths, phase transitions or mineral decompositions can liberate excess Fe³⁺ that no longer fits within the crystal structures. This released ferric iron potentially contributes to the generation of oxidized magmas, influencing volcanic gas emissions and surface oxidation states. Such a mechanism presents a plausible link between deep mantle oxidation states and the chemical makeup of magmas erupted at the surface, offering fresh insights into the geological histories of both Earth and Mars.

The study’s revelations offer a new lens through which to interpret the evolution of mantle oxidation state gradients over geological time. Understanding how iron’s valence shifts across depth-dependent mineralogical boundaries and during mantle convection cycles will refine planetary differentiation models and volatile cycling frameworks. The presence of Fe³⁺-rich majorite highlights a previously underappreciated redox reservoir deep within planetary interiors.

These results not only enhance our appreciation of Earth’s early differentiated mantle but also extend to Mars, where recent seismic and geochemical data point to a similarly complex mantle composition. The redox state plays an outsize role in Martian volcanic outgassing and atmospheric evolution, making this research vital for reconstructing Mars’ geochemical past and assessing its potential habitability.

From a methodological standpoint, the study exemplifies the power of integrating high-pressure experimental petrology with cutting-edge synchrotron techniques. The ability to recreate extreme planetary interior conditions and directly probe valence states in situ offers a transformative approach to addressing longstanding questions about deep Earth and planetary chemistry.

Furthermore, the recognition that Fe³⁺ can be abundant in magma ocean-derived minerals necessitates revisiting thermodynamic and geochemical models of mantle melting and evolution. Oxidation state strongly influences melting temperatures and mantle rheology, thereby controlling convection patterns and surface tectonics. Such feedbacks are essential to comprehend in the broader context of planetary habitability and evolution.

Ultimately, these insights pave the way for multidisciplinary endeavors bridging mineral physics, planetary science, and geochemistry. They underscore the dynamic interplay between deep Earth processes and surface conditions, revealing how the smallest changes in iron’s electron configuration resonate across planetary systems.

This breakthrough in understanding iron’s complex behavior under extreme conditions promises to guide future explorations of terrestrial and extraterrestrial geology. It sets new constraints on the interior states of rocky planets and sharpens our vision of how early planetary environments were sculpted by subtle shifts deep within.

Subject of Research: High-pressure mineralogy and mantle oxidation states in terrestrial and Martian planets.

Article Title: (Not explicitly provided in the original content.)

News Publication Date: (Not indicated in the original content.)

Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2025JB033231

References: Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth

Image Credits: Hideharu Kuwahara

Keywords:
– Fe³⁺ in mantle minerals
– Majorite synthesis under high pressure
– Magma ocean oxidation states
– Mantle redox evolution
– XANES spectroscopy at SPring-8
– High-pressure experimental petrology
– Earth and Mars mantle comparison
– Ferric iron incorporation in majorite
– Oxidized magma generation
– Planetary interior chemistry
– Lower mantle mineralogy
– Planetary differentiation processes

Built-in television speakers are almost always underwhelming, so getting a soundbar is the best way to elevate any and all content. If you want to get the most for your money, Amazon’s Fire TV Soundbar Plus with a subwoofer and satellite speakers provide a bigger sound than a standalone soundbar like a Sonos Beam. Ahead of Prime Day, the system dropped to $380 (previously $490). That’s the lowest price we’ve seen on the 5.1-channel kit.

The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for spatial audio (though, it lacks upward-firing speakers that make spatial audio more noticeable), and features three full-range speakers, three tweeters, two subwoofers, and a center channel designed for clear dialogue. It features optical audio, plus an HDMI eARC port that communicates with compatible televisions for simple, unified controls.

The subwoofer and satellite speakers wirelessly connect to the soundbar, unlike some similarly-priced systems that have wired satellites. The Fire TV Soundbar Plus offers four equalizer profiles to suit different content needs: movie, music, sports, and night mode, the last of which minimizes bass and makes dialogue sharper. Beyond using the soundbar with your TV, you can also play music from your mobile devices with its Bluetooth support.

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If you had asked me a week ago to recommend a thinner alternative to PopSockets’ magnetic phone grips, I would have told you to buy the OhSnap Snap Grip 5. Ask me now and I’ll redirect you right back to the company that accidentally invented the phone grip in 2012 when trying to come up with a better way to wrangle Apple EarPods. PopSockets’ new Low-Pro is its slimmest phone grip yet, and it’s not only thinner than OhSnap’s latest, it’s also more functional and more comfortable to hold.

Available starting today exclusively through Apple in four colors (it will be available from PopSockets’ online store and other retailers starting on July 29th), the $39.99 Low-Pro Grip is launching at the same price as the Snap Grip 5. I’ve been a devoted fan of OhSnap’s grips for the past few years and recently upgraded to the Grip 5, but after testing the PopSockets Low-Pro for just a week, I’m ready to jump ship.

The last PopSockets grip I used was the Kick-Out Grip and Stand that debuted last year and did a better job than the OhSnap Grip 4 as a phone stand that worked well in both portrait and landscape mode. But at 7mm thick when collapsed, I found the Kick-Out Grip would occasionally get snagged when slipping my phone into my pocket. I’ve never had that problem with either the 2.5mm-thick Snap Grip 4 or the 3mm-thick Grip 5.

The new PopSockets Low-Pro falls somewhere between OhSnap’s last two offerings at 2.6mm, which the company compares to the thickness of a pair of dimes or a toothpick. It’s definitely thin, but you have to look incredibly close to see the height difference when comparing the Low-Pro and Snap Grip 5 side by side. If you were going by touch alone the difference in thickness is imperceivable.

Far more noticeable is how the two grips feel between your fingers when you’re holding your phone. The Snap Grip 5 carries forward a design that uses a set of interlocking flexible arms that attach the base of the grip to an extending disc. It’s a unique approach that OhSnap has improved and strengthened since The Verge’s Victoria Song had a Snap 3 Pro break nearly three years ago. But while the durability is better, the Snap Grip 5’s flexible arms still aren’t the most comfortable. They’re not painful by any means, but using the Snap Grip 5 has always felt to me like I’m sacrificing the comfort of a PopSockets grip for something more svelte.

With the Low-Pro, you get the best of both worlds. Instead of plastic arms or the traditional PopSockets design that features a collapsing squishy cone, the Low-Pro uses what the company describes as a “one-piece polymer” expansion layer connecting a pop-out disc to the grip’s base. It looks like a tube that’s been sliced full of diamond-shaped holes to help it collapse compactly, but it’s made out of a squishy material that makes the Low-Pro feel softer and more comfortable to hold at any angle. My fingers occasionally get sore during prolonged one-handed doomscrolling sessions using the Snap Grip 5, but that hasn’t been an issue with the Low-Pro.

Both grips double as a phone stand, but the Low-Pro does it better. With the Snap Grip 5 you can tuck one edge of its extending disc into a notch on the base and use it to prop your phone up. But it’s limited to just one angle, and it works better with your phone laying sideways than standing up vertically. Surrounding the base of the Low-Pro is a hinged metal ring that folds out at any angle, so it works as a stand in either orientation. The base of the Low-Pro is a little wider than the Snap Grip 5 as a result, but the size difference is negligible.

There is a reason to still consider OhSnap’s Snap Grip 5 over PopSockets’ Low-Pro. Both accessories allow your phone to stick to metal surfaces, magnetic mounts, and wireless chargers with the grips attached, but the magnets on the Snap Grip 5 are stronger than those in the Low-Pro. The Snap Grip 5 always remained securely attached to the back of my iPhone 16 Pro when removing it from a magnetic wireless charging stand, but the Low-Pro consistently remained behind stuck to the stand.

If you regularly mount your phone to magnetic accessories like this, such as relying on a car mount to use your phone as a GPS device, there’s a very good chance the Low-Pro could get frequently left behind and forgotten. If you don’t, then PopSockets’ new Low-Pro Grip is a worthy alternative. It’s not the thinnest grip ever created, but PopSockets has improved on OhSnap’s design in a few important areas that make a grip a tempting accessory, even if you’re trying to keep your phone as thin as possible.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

Instead of heating metals, Foundation Alloy beats them into submission. The startup has raised $22 million to scale up production of its alloys.

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