MagSafe grip for better photos and videos

Modern pioneer Camera phones Like the Pixel 7 Pro, Galaxy S23 Ultra, and iPhone 14 Pro are getting closer and closer to the photography experience of a proper standalone camera. Putting aside the physics of tiny lenses and sensors, there’s no denying that having an excellent camera in your pocket is great, but what if you want the “feel” of a real camera, too? Well, let’s take MagSafe accessories, photography, and the Pixel 7 Pro — three of my favorite topics to talk about — and mix them together. What we get is the ShiftCam SnapGrip, a MagSafe grip that magnetically attaches to your phone and gives it DSLR-like ergonomics.

My Pixel 7 Pro often sits in a coil Moment (M) state of force, which opens up a whole world of MagSafe accessories for me, like SnapGrip. Even if I don’t have this case, ShiftCam provides a metal adapter for any phone. Just stick it to your phone or case and you’re good to go. My iPhone doesn’t need an adapter to use the grip, but it does need MagSafe iPhone case Helps strengthen the magnetic bond while protecting the phone.

Any time I want to use the grip, I just hold it close to the back of my Pixel or iPhone and MagSafe magnets will hold it in place. Simple and easy. Even better, it doesn’t block any port or button on phones, unlike other knobs that grab the sides and end up turning off the screen or messing with volume.

The grip itself looks like it was cut from a DSLR or mirrorless camera. It has a large bump that fits comfortably in your hand and a natural place for your index finger to rest, allowing at least two or three other fingers to be wrapped around the back. It’s very comfortable to hold for long periods of time – way more than holding a thin smartphone slab.

I have the hands of an ultra-steady shooter (years of shooting 2-megapixel photos from home-school medicine publications helped me develop that), but even so, I like the freedom of not having to worry about balancing my phone while tapping the shutter button on the screen. Instead, I can just physically press the shutter button below the index on my SnapGrip and take the picture! You can’t argue with that kind of tactile feedback.

My main gripe? Every time I used the camera grip, I wished it had zoom buttons. Given how unique the Pixel 7 ProThe telescopic lens is, I rely on the zoom to take a better frame for most of my photos. Switching to the touch screen to adjust this and then back to the handle feels counterintuitive and annoying. Tactile zoom buttons would make this a lot better for the world’s Android zoom champions – less so for the iPhone.

In my testing, I liked how solid the whole setup was, even though the handle and phone are two separate entities held together by MagSafe magnets. I wouldn’t trust the Pixel 7 Pro’s grip on a bridge, a moving body of water, or any serious void, but I’ve used it for everyday photography. streets, tourism, parks, fairs, fun events; It could be great for all of them. If you have pets or kids and you’re running after them, this would be ideal; You just need to pair it once via Bluetooth and it will connect automatically every time you turn it on.

But the grip does more than just give you a better grip on your phone. It can be a good vertical or horizontal stand. It also has a 3200mAh power bank that can wirelessly charge the phone while it’s plugged in. LED lights indicate remaining battery.

Charging is limited to 5W, but that was enough to keep the Pixel powered up while I walked around and took pictures. Again, 10W or more would be better here, but the idea is to avoid draining the battery too quickly rather than fully charging your phone.

If you choose the Creator Kit, you get three more extensions with ShiftCam SnapGrip. Each of them can be used alone or together in any kind of combo for maximum versatility. Again, the beauty and simplicity of magnets.

My favorite is the round MagSafe LED light and mirror that opens, allowing you to point it back at the person you’re taking a picture of, turn it toward you for a selfie, or snap it on any metal surface or tripod to provide an additional source of light. It only has a USB-C port for charging and a button to switch the LED brightness between five different levels.

Mirror is a simple yet genius addition to help people frame and check themselves before taking a picture of themselves. Another bonus: You get a bag to carry both the grip and the light with you.

There’s also a small plastic tripod, which does the job on relatively flat surfaces but I wouldn’t use in unstable environments, as well as a MagSafe tripod that lets you grab your phone, light, or both. I found this ideal for stargazing and night photography because no matter how steady my hand is, it’s not as steady as a phone tripod on long exposure shots.

The flexibility of all of these elements is what makes this setup so fun, especially since all you have to do is put them together. No plugs, clips, screws or anything time consuming. This puts them among The best photography accessories for smartphones for me.

I’ve used the SnapGrip on my own with my phone at times and with the light at other times; I used the tripod stand to prop my phone up with and without the light; And I used the light on the tripod to brighten up the scene I was shooting with my phone on the handle. Add in the ability to reflect light for selfies and regular photos, then the stand and wireless charging, and you have a versatile setup that helps with plenty of creative photography and videography on the go from streets to people, nature and astro.

My biggest concerns with the ShiftCam SnapGrip are the price and the spontaneity. You either have to plan ahead and carry a MagSafe grip with you when you know you’ll be doing a lot of photography, or you have to keep it with you at all times. When we start adding various accessories to our phones, we might as well carry a mirrorless camera instead, right?

The pricing is also quite steep for what is at its core: a wireless power bank in the shape of a grip with a circular magnetic element and a Bluetooth shutter button. $70 for that And $120 for the Creator Kit With the light, tripod, and bag it feels like a stretch. Apple’s tax is very real, but you’re getting multiple products in one, which can help justify the investment.