Let me start by saying this: the BRDRC Magnetic Phone Holder is a beast when it comes to suction power. I stuck it on my windshield during a road trip through bumpy mountain roads, and it held my iPhone 15 Pro like it was welded in place. The N52 magnets are no joke—they’re strong enough that I briefly worried about prying my phone off without snapping my fingers!

But here’s the thing: that strength is a double-edged sword. The included solid metal plate (for non-MagSafe phones) locks onto the magnet with a vengeance. Removing your phone feels like disarming a bomb—you need a swift, forceful sideways jerk. Forget wireless charging too; that plate blocks it completely. Pro tip: ditch the included plate and buy a ring-style one if you want convenience.

The suction cup? Mostly brilliant. In freezing Chicago mornings (-10°C!), it clung to my windshield like a lifeline. But texture is its kryptonite. On my textured dashboard, it lasted all of 15 minutes before surrendering. The packaging includes an adhesive mount as a workaround, but now I’ve got sticky residue on my dash—ugh.

For creators, the 360° rotation and dual ball heads are dreamy. I filmed a timelapse sunset through my passenger window with zero shakes, even at 70mph. But the short arm limits horizontal positioning—my GoPro kept tilting awkwardly until I MacGyvered a spacer (included adapter didn’t fit perfectly).

Final verdict? At $26, this is premium hardware with niche frustrations. Works flawlessly on glass surfaces for MagSafe users who don’t mind wrestling their phone free. Textured dash warriors and wireless charging fans should look elsewhere.