Finally, a MagSafe wallet for my phone that feels premium (and it's affordable)

ZDNET's key takeaways

The UAG Metropolis Wallet is a MagSafe wallet and stand made of vegan leather for $45.
It holds up to five cards and cash, has a kickstand, is RFID blocking, and features pockets.
It's only available in Black.

more buying choices

Now until Jan. 1, get 25% off with the code FINAL25 at checkout on UAG's direct website. This drops the Metropolis wallet down to $34.

As ZDNET's MagSafe expert, I've tried many magnetic accessories, from wallets, grips, and stands to notebooks, battery packs, and beyond. That's why when one catches my eye or edges out something else I've tried, I'm writing about it.

Also: My favorite MagSafe wallet stand is the ideal iPhone companion

There is no shortage of MagSafe wallet options on the market, but the UAG Metropolis wallet is worth calling out as an affordable luxury option — even edging out other competitors I've tried with a similar capacity, look and feel.

UAG's wallet is made of vegan leather that's soft and supple. It features a few card slots and a card pocket on the very back, accompanied by a notch at the bottom. There's a MagSafe side with 2.5mm thick magnets for a secure attachment and of course, a built in kickstand that allows you to use your device in portrait or landscape viewing. This style of wallet I find is the easiest to use when taking out high traffic cards like an OMNY or NJ Transit SmartLink card.

Also: The best MagSafe wallet I've tested is not made by Apple or Anker

It's a pretty standard and straightforward wallet and stand combo design available among brands like ESR and others, but I find this option from UAG even better than Journey's Ezmo wallet, which I first reviewed in 2024.

Head to head: UAG Metropolis vs Journey Ezmo

When I first came across the UAG Metropolis wallet, I was reminded of the similarity to Journey's Ezmo wallet. If you haven't heard of it, it's another MagSafe wallet I reviewed that I praised that has since become a daily carry. If you're looking topically at both options, it's hard to distinguish a difference, with nearly the same profile, color, look, and design.

uag-metropolis-magsafe-wallet — UAG Metropolis wallet (left) next to the Journey Ezmo wallet (right).
Kayla Solino/ZDNET

But there are a few differences. The vegan leather on the UAG Metropolis has more texture, and is slightly less shiny. On the other hand, the Ezmo has pockets on both sides of the bifold (as opposed to UAG's one), and has a slightly more elevated feel, though both are admittedly sleek for a MagSafe accessory. They both lack clear ID windows and are available in limited color options, though Journey offers three more options than the UAG.

The real kicker? UAG's wallet is $25 less than Journey's, selling around $45 (or less if you can catch it on sale).

UAG's wallet takes one of my favorite styles — slim and sleek, yet large enough for cash and small incidentals — plus features a kickstand. And it's so stylish and functional that you can remove it off the back of your phone and use it on it's own, too.

The magnet is secure, the stand is stable, and the cards are easy to insert and remove, even with card covers on two of my most used debit cards. And the price? A great value for a more elevated MagSafe option, but not nearly as pricey as others I've tried.

I'm still disappointed to see no color options besides black and I really do love the added touch of a clear ID window on MagSafe wallets, so I can't give this perfect marks. But it's a great option for someone looking for a moderately priced MagSafe wallet that has that classic wallet feel.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you're looking for a more traditional MagSafe wallet that doubles as a stand rather than a cardholder or enclosed wallet like the Benks ArmorGo or Ohsnap Grip wallet, the UAG Metropolis wallet is a fairly priced option.

You get storage for up to 5 cards and some cash, a stand, and a sleek design, but you'll have to skip out on other elements like an ID window and more upbeat or neutral colors. Still, for $45 (or less while on sale), I'd scoop this up if I were looking for an affordable yet luxurious black MagSafe wallet. Still not sure? Check out our other tested picks on our best MagSafe wallets list.