7 tiny gadgets that give your iPhone useful superpowers (and they're cheap)

Jun 25, 2026 - 13:01

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7 tiny gadgets that give your iPhone useful superpowers (and they're cheap)

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Prime Day is here, and it's my favorite time of the year to snag functional tech. Not laptops, TVs, or phones, either -- I'm talking about the small gadgets that can change your routines or make your life easier.

Also: It's Prime Day: Our editors hand-picked the 90+ best deals and are tracking them live

Thankfully, Amazon is packed with plenty of nifty gadgets that can upgrade your iPhone's charging port -- whether you're rocking a USB-C or older Lightning port. Our editors at ZDNET have tested more than a few of these teeny gadgets. These are some of our favorite iPhone accessories you can shop right now -- and some of these items are on sale for Amazon's Prime Day event.

7 tiny gadgets that upgrade your iPhone

While this little flashlight won't plug into your iPhone without a dongle or other converter, it can be recharged from any USB port -- including those on a laptop or tablet -- and it's uber functional to add to your keyring.

While this gadget isn't on sale, I can't say enough about Apple's version of this accessory. If you don't want to wait for your vacation pictures to be uploaded from a traditional camera, this USB-C (or Lightning) accessory plugs into your phone and uploads them to your camera roll immediately. I use mine all the time after shooting product photos for ZDNET.

If you don't want to spend $40 on Apple's card reader above, Anker has its own universal version on sale for $9. This lets you read SD and microSD cards from cameras, which is perfect for upcoming travels or summer events.

Safety you can plug into your phone! In 2026, you need to take steps to stay safe online. Expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has relied on the Yubico YubiKey to keep his passwords and personal info protected. "While passkeys offer much more security, sometimes, having a physical dongle that you have to use to authenticate that you are actually you is the way to go," he says. This USB-C model has wide compatibility.

Also: The security gadget I never leave home without (and it's not an AirTag)

A classic. Apple's EarPods (USB-C) are ideal for the latest iPhones, just about any Android phone, laptops, tablets, and more, says editor-in-chief Kerry Wan. These are the perfect purchase for ease of use, long battery life, and the built-in microphone -- not top-notch sound. They're so spectacular that Wan says he uses them to record his voiceovers for nearly every video he makes for ZDNET's social platforms.

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