Telephones have become an important part of our commuting. We use them for music, navigation, hands-free communication, and more. This is why it is so important to find the best car phone holder for your needs. In the search for the perfect co-pilot, we came across the iOttie Easy One Touch 4, which has been my companion for some time. Now it's time to tell you all about it, so buckle up! This is Android Authority iOttie Easy One Touch 4 review.
What you need to know about the iOttie Easy One Touch 4
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- iOttie Easy One Touch 4 (HLCRIO126): $ 24.95 / £ 20.99 / € 21.95
The iOttie Easy One Touch 4 is a car phone holder with a patented mechanism that allows you to easily dock and share your smartphone. A suction cup is used for mounting on dashboards and windshields, while a telescopic arm can be adjusted for optimal visibility.
The MSRP is $ 29.95, but you can find the accessories for $ 19.95 on Amazon if you can get a discount. You can also find it at other well-known retailers.
Customers do not have a wide range of colors and configurations as the product is only available in black. It can handle any combination of smartphone and case with a width of 58 to 88 mm.
A version of the iOttie Easy One Touch 4 with a ventilation opening is also available. We tested the dashboard and windshield version.
What is good?
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Probably the coolest feature of the iOttie Easy One Touch 4 is its docking mechanism. There is a large rubber button with silver accents on the back plate. This will close the arms of the bracket and tighten when pressed. You can dock a phone by simply pushing it against the holder. You can then push the release bars to remove the device. It's a simple operation that allows you to get in and out of your vehicle quickly and easily using your phone.
The car mount also offers a lot of flexibility. The arm can be shortened, stretched, lowered or raised. The spherical cap offers complete freedom of orientation and the arms are wide enough to handle most phones. If that's not enough, you can also adjust the holder's feet to keep your device from falling victim to gravity. And not only do you have the freedom to move them up and down, but also from side to side. This makes it easier to access the ports on the bottom of the phone.
With the iOttie Easy One Touch 4 you can get in and out of your vehicle quickly and easily with your smartphone.
IOttie's holder is equipped with a suction cup that has been shown to be strong enough to hold even heavy phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Suction cups also give you freedom of placement as you can mount the holder where you find the most secure and convenient. And if you can't find an optimal flat surface for it, the box comes with a flat dashboard that thanks to its self-adhesive underside can stick firmly to any surface.
Also read: These are the best car apps for your Android device
What's not so good?
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
This bracket is advertised as a dashboard and windshield accessory, which has some problems. Obstructing your forward view is a hazard, not to mention the illegal view in some areas (check local laws). While the windshield and dash are an obvious home for this mount, you don't necessarily have to place the iOttie Easy One Touch 4 there. The suction cup and included pad make it easy to install anywhere.
This is also a very noticeable mount that doesn't blend in with the surroundings. This wouldn't be a problem if it were aesthetically pleasing, but its design isn't among the best. It's made from the cheaper plastic that often characterizes affordable accessories. And while its complex arms and buttons make it extremely versatile, they also make it look like a somewhat messy invention, especially when placed right in the center of your dashboard or windshield. This is certainly made for productivity, not looks.
Mounting the iOttie Easy One Touch 4 on your dashboard or windshield can be dangerous.
Aside from the aesthetics, we were pretty happy with the ruggedness of the device. The joints felt strong and nothing really moved except for a few thinner pieces in the holder. It's pretty solid, but almost flawed. Moving parts felt and sounded like they were cranked when moving. The automatic docking mechanism is also pretty rough. When activated, the phone is severely jammed. I don't think it's going to damage anything, but it's something to consider if you like smoother mechanics.
The fact that the phone holder extends outward naturally makes it more prone to accidental movement when driving over rougher terrain. It definitely wobbles around all the time, which is another downside.
iOttie Easy One Touch 4 Review: Should I Buy It?
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
If you can safely mount the iOttie Easy One Touch 4 and don't worry about the cheaper plastic and rough mechanics, then it's a good car mount.
The automatic assembly mechanism is very convenient. Articulating arms offer great flexibility for optimal phone access and viewing. An included dashboard and suction cup allow the accessory to be attached to multiple surfaces (if they fit). And while the price isn't among the lowest, it's still fair for what you get.
iOttie is now also offering the Easy One Touch 5, another product to consider if you don't mind paying a little extra. However, we recommend the One Touch 4 because, while the One Touch 5 supports wider phones, it doesn't hold them in place as well.
