I get this email or DM at least once a week at PopNya. It usually goes something like this: "Hi, do you sell the Labubu phone?"
And every time, I have to smile. Because there is no actual Labubu phone. Not yet, anyway (Pop Mart, if you're listening, call me). What people are really looking for is a way to bring their favorite mischievous, big-eared monster into their daily life, and the phone is prime real estate for that.
The search term "labubu phone" has become a catch-all for a whole ecosystem of accessories, from official drops to fan-made creations. It's a world of plushies, plastic, and a whole lot of hype. As someone who's bought, sold, and personally used (or, in some cases, tried to use) all of it, I want to walk you through what's out there. This is your playbook for navigating the trend without getting ripped off or ending up with a phone that's completely impractical.
Decoding the Craze: The Four Types of "Labubu Phone" Gear
When someone is looking for a Labubu for their phone, they typically mean one of four things. Let's break them down.
1. The Plush Phone Charm (The "Labubu doll for phone")
This is the big one. This is 90% of the hype. We're talking about the mini plush keychains, most famously The Monsters Macaron series, but also others like the Fall in Wild plush pendants. These are small, usually flocked or fuzzy, and come with a clip or a loop designed to be attached to... Well, anything.
People see these adorable little guys dangling from phones on Instagram and TikTok and the hunt begins. They are, without a doubt, the most sought-after item in the "labubu phone" category. They are sold in blind boxes, meaning you don't know which color or character you're getting, which just adds to the frenzy.
2. The Phone Case
This is more straightforward. Pop Mart has released official Labubu phone cases, usually made of silicone and featuring characters from specific series like The Monsters' Frightful Night or the classic Flower Elves. They're cute, they're official, but they come with their own set of challenges, which we'll get into.3. The Phone Grip
Think PopSockets, but with Zimomo's toothy grin. Pop Mart has started releasing official phone grips (they call them "stands") that you can stick to the back of your phone. And, just like with everything else, a huge DIY scene has popped up around this, with collectors converting their own blind box figures into custom phone grips.
4. Digital Swag: Wallpapers & Icons
This is the easiest and cheapest way to get a Labubu on your phone. It involves finding official wallpapers released by Pop Mart or fan-made art to use as your background. It doesn't have the tactile satisfaction of a plush, but it's a zero-risk way to show your love.
The Collector's Playbook: Getting the Goods (and Avoiding the Bad)
Okay, so you know what you want. Now, how do you get it? This is where it gets tricky.
Hunting for the Official Plush Charm
If you want an official labubu doll for phone, prepare for a battle. The popular series, especially the Macarons, sell out on Pop Mart's official US site in literal minutes. I'm not exaggerating. The last major restock I saw for the Macarons was gone in under three minutes.
* The Price of Hype: Retail for a single blind box is usually around $13-$15. But the moment they sell out, the aftermarket explodes. A common color like Lychee might resell for $25-$30. But a desirable one? Soy Milk, the creamy white one, consistently fetches $50+. And the secret chase figures? I've seen the Toffee secret from the Macaron series listed for over $150. The demand is absolutely wild, and it's a conversation I've had many times when discussing the mini Labubu keychain craze.
* Spotting Fakes: With high demand comes the fakes. They are getting better, but there are still tells. Look for messy stitching, especially around the ears and feet. The hardware on fakes is often a cheap, overly shiny gold or silver, whereas the official clips are more of a brushed, quality metal. The biggest giveaway is the flocking. Fakes often have a thin, patchy flock that feels rough, not the soft, dense velvet of a real one. If you're buying secondhand, always ask for close-up photos. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. Getting scammed is a real risk, and something every collector should be wary of, as I've detailed in my guide to buying Labubu keychains.
* A Word on Availability: As of writing this, finding any of the plush pendants at retail is nearly impossible in the US and Europe. Your best bet is the secondary market (like our own LABUBU collection when we can source them), eBay, or collector groups on Facebook. Be prepared to pay the hype tax.
Real Talk: The Durability of Plush Phone Charms
I need to be brutally honest with you. As cute as they are, these plush charms are terrible for daily use on a phone.
I tried it. I put a spare Sea Salt Coconut Macaron on my phone for a week. I baby my phone, but within days, the white flocking around the edges of its feet was starting to look dingy. The constant in-and-out of my pocket caused friction that started to wear down the soft texture. The little metal clip clinked against my screen. It was adorable for photos, but a disaster for real life.
These are collectibles first, accessories second. The flocking will get dirty and can't really be cleaned. It will rub off over time. The little arms and legs can be snagged and potentially torn. My verdict? These are much better suited as bag charms, where they aren't subjected to as much abuse. The whole Labubu bag charm debate is a hot topic for a reason, bags are just a safer home for these little guys. If you absolutely must put one on your phone, treat it like a delicate piece of jewelry for special occasions, not an everyday carry.
The DIY Option: Turning a Figure into a Charm
This is for the brave. I see this all the time in collector circles: someone takes a standard vinyl Labubu from a blind box series and turns it into a phone charm.
The process involves buying a tiny screw-in eyelet pin (you can get them at any craft store) and a small pin vise hand drill. You then have to carefully, painfully, drill a small hole into the head of your Labubu figure and screw in the eyelet.
The Pros:
You can use any* figure you want. Love that rare secret you pulled? Turn it into a one-of-a-kind charm.* It's completely unique to you.
The Cons & The Risks: * You are intentionally damaging a collectible figure you paid good money for. There's no going back. * You can crack the vinyl if you're not careful. * The placement has to be perfect, or it will hang lopsided. I saw one person drill off-center, and their poor Labubu hung perpetually tilted like it had a rough night out. * Vinyl figures are heavier and harder than the plushies. A vinyl Labubu swinging from your phone is a recipe for a scratched screen or a dented phone body.
My advice? If you're going to do this, practice on a figure you don't care about first. And maybe reconsider hanging it from your phone. It's a much better idea for a keychain or a display piece.
Navigating the World of Labubu Phone Cases
This is a safer bet than the charms, but it's still a minefield.
Official Pop Mart Cases: I've owned a couple of these. The quality is generally pretty good. They're thick silicone, offer decent protection, and the molded designs are crisp. I had The Monsters' Frightful Night case for my old iPhone, and the 3D element of Labubu popping out was fantastic.
The Catch: * Limited Models: Pop Mart primarily makes cases for the latest iPhone models. If you have an Android or an older iPhone, you're usually out of luck. * Availability: Just like the figures, they sell out and are rarely restocked. * The Yellowing: My biggest gripe. The clear or light-colored silicone on my official case started to yellow after about 8 months of use. It's a common problem with this material, but for a premium-priced case, it was disappointing. It's a small detail, but it's the kind of thing you only learn from long-term use.
Unofficial & Fan-Made Cases: A quick search on Etsy or Amazon for "labubu phone case" will give you thousands of results. 99% of these are not officially licensed. They are typically made by print-on-demand services.
How to Shop Smart: * Look for Original Art: Some artists create their own, beautiful fan art and sell it on cases. Support them! Their styles are often unique and you're supporting a small creator. * Watch for Stolen Art: Many more sellers simply rip official artwork from Pop Mart's promotional materials and slap it on a cheap case. A good way to check is to reverse image search the design. If you see the exact same image on dozens of different storefronts, it's almost certainly stolen art on a low-quality, dropshipped product. * Read Reviews: Look for reviews with photos to see the actual print quality and fit.
A great alternative I recommend to customers is to buy a high-quality clear case and then customize it with official or fan-made Labubu stickers. It's cheaper, non-destructive, and you can change it up whenever you want.
Our Take: The Final Verdict on the "Labubu Phone"
So, after all this, what's the real story with the Labubu phone trend?
Honestly, it's 90% aesthetic and 10% practicality. It's about personal expression and showing your love for Kasing Lung's world. Attaching a delicate, flocked labubu doll for phone is a fashion statement, not a durable, long-term solution. It looks amazing on Instagram, but it's not built for the chaos of a purse or pocket. The official cases are a better functional option, but only if you have the right phone model and can find one in stock.
For my own phone, I've settled on a compromise: a high-quality clear case with a single, well-placed vinyl sticker of Zimomo on the inside. It gives me that little hit of joy every time I pick up my phone, without the risk of damaging a collectible or dealing with a clunky, impractical charm. My plush Macarons live happily on my backpack, where they can be seen and enjoyed without getting wrecked.
The "Labubu phone" isn't a single product. It's an idea. It's the community's collective desire to keep these little monsters close. How you choose to do that is up to you, but hopefully, this playbook gives you a better idea of the path you want to take. And if you're looking for inspiration, you can always browse the latest figures in our LABUBU collection to find the perfect monster to start your journey.
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