I previously owned the original version of this product. It worked, but left much to desire as far as functionality, especially with iPhone. This new version has improved markedly.
Pros:
MUCH better instructions that are written in actual English.
Fully functional with my iPhone 15 Pro Max
New camera app that assists with Bluetooth connection and unit settings and allows for many functions that the iPhone camera does not have.
Shutter is much more responsive.
Brings an additional magnetic ring to help make sure unit stays on the base of your iPhone.
Brings a nice lanyard
Free upgrade to the Pro version of the App
Cons:
Zoom switch could be smoother and a little more responsive.
Damn remote is still subject to falling off. My last remote has fallen off too many times and this time I lost it. This is the only reason I had to buy this product again. I solved this by taping the remote to the battery as I can use my Apple Watch as a remote.
I gave it four stars solely for the remote issue but the upgraded features are great.
Z
Zoloft
★★★★★
If you have an Pixel phone, this is the grip for you, as long as you can use Key Mapper!
THIS IS A REALLY GREAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT! If you have a Pixel phone, be warned, it requires configuring buttons via a third party app to get full use out of this. The caveat is, most other grips don't work with the native Google Camera App on Pixel phones anyways, so at least this one CAN work with some configuring and know how.
I'm going to compare this against the slightly more expensive Telesin MasterGrip that I own, that recently stopped functioning properly with my Pixel due to firmware updates... it wasn't designed to work with the native Google Camera App anyways so it was a shock that it worked in the beginning... bummer that it doesn't now.
ANYWAYS. Overall, very similar feature set to the MasterGrip with some small differences I'll cover in a list.
Size:
- The MagCam 2 grip is smaller than the MasterGrip in overall grip bulk.
- The MagCam 2 grip weighs about the same.
- The form factors are about the same.
Buttons:
- The MagCam 2 grip has 1 less button.
- The MagCam 2 grip buttons DO register on apps like Key Mapper (what I use) and Button Mapper, so they can be used with any Android phone after some configuring.
- The scroll wheel is a little too easy to turn, the MasterGrip scroll wheel locks into notches much more solidly.
- Both the MagCam 2 and the MasterGrip shutter button have focus action, where the first "click" on the shutter button sets the focus, then a full press to the second "click" activates the shutter.
Other features:
- Both have the standard 1/4" screw hole for attaching to tripods/stands
- Both can wirelessly charge your phone by clicking a separate battery button. MagCam 2 is 3Ah vs MasterGrip 3.2Ah, so pretty similar battery sizes.
- MagCam 2 has a feature where you can separate the grip from the magsafe section, to use as a remote shutter
- MagCam 2 has an additional feature where you can separate the button cluster from the grip and still use it as a remote shutter
- Both have a Magsafe ring on both sides of the Magsafe plate ,so you can add lights or other attachments on the other side while using the grip.
Other Considerations:
- The MasterGrips Magsafe feels more secure than the MagCam, but not by much. May be a result of the rubber material the MasterGrip uses, where the MagCam 2 uses a soft plastic sheet.
- The MagCam 2 grip size is a little too small for my hands. It's not quite as easy for me to grip as the MasterGrip. TO NOTE, this also means that the MagCam 2 grip is MUCH EASIER to fit in a pocket or leave on the phone if you're using the camera throughout an event.
- I will still only use the MagCam 2 grip with my phone, because I can use all of the buttons (focus, shutter, zoom, scroll wheel, and mode) on my Pixel 10 Pro XL. I can't use anything but the shutter and focus on the MasterGrip... The buttons don't even register in apps like Key Mapper or Button Mapper.
OVERALL: If you are looking for a feature packed camera grip for your android phone, this is it! It's great quality, I enjoy the ability to charge my phone while in use. Price wise, this is also ~$10-$15 cheaper than the MasterGrip.
Included a couple pictures focused on the grip sizes with the MasterGrip next to the MagCam 2. The Magcam 2 is on the left.
C
Corrado
★★★★★
Great gift for Photography enthusiasts!
I’m honestly impressed with how well thought out this thing is.
First, the grip itself feels good in the hand and makes the phone feel much more like a real camera instead of just holding a slippery slab. I do have very large hands and the grip is OK, it could be a bit larger (but then it would also be harder to carry around…).
The shutter button is nice because it behaves like a camera shutter: half-press to lock focus, hold longer to lock focus/exposure, then press fully to shoot. Small detail, but it makes a difference when taking photos.
A few things I really liked right away:
• It has a real tripod screw mount built in (see pic), which is convenient.
• The integrated 3000mAh power bank is a great touch for travel or long shooting sessions. In real life, it doesn’t seem to add a lot of charge to the phone, but at least it keeps it from draining while you take pictures (which usually drains batteries fast).
• The included app looks surprisingly professional. I haven’t played much yet with the Fuji/Kodak-style film simulations that YouTubers rave about, but I may experiment with them when I go in vacation next month.
• The manual controls in the app are excellent. You can quickly adjust focus, ISO, shutter speed, color temperature, tint, lens selection, etc. using the physical button + dial system (see pic of the various manual settings and of the dials). It’s quick and intuitive to use, if you ever used a real camera.
• The dedicated zoom dial is smooth and much nicer than pinching the screen.
• The detachable ring light is another good feature. It has 3 color temperatures and 3 brightness levels, and you can flip it around for selfies or video calls since the whole unit also works as a stand (see pics).
• And the hidden “magic trick”: the top section detaches and becomes a Bluetooth remote shutter for group shots.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with it, thanks to my wife for the great Birthday present!
Gabby Griggs
★★★★★
Functional tool if you’re partial to a “real camera” feel with smartphone camera convenience
This is a pretty cool little upgrade if you like using your phone for photos but want something that feels more like a dedicated camera.
The grip itself feels solid in hand and makes a noticeable difference when taking pictures. It’s a lot easier to hold steady compared to just using your phone, and the physical controls give it more of that “real camera” feel. I also like that it can double as a remote when your phone is on a tripod, which is super useful for group shots or anything hands-free. The built-in tripod threads are a nice touch.
One of the bigger perks is the wireless charging. If you’re taking a lot of photos or video, it helps keep your phone from draining as quickly, which makes it more practical for longer sessions.
The main tradeoff is that you do need to use their app to unlock most of the features. The good news is the app is free, easy to figure out, and has a decent amount of settings and effects built in. Even if you’re not super into manual camera controls, it still gives you more flexibility than the standard camera app.
Overall, it’s a fun and functional accessory that bridges the gap between a phone and a more traditional camera setup without being overly complicated. Fits nicely on the back of my iphone15 pro even with a case.
Pk Shiu
★★★★★
I really want to like this, but the software is terrible
I really like the idea of this phone camera grip. It turns my iPhone 17 Pro into a hand held camera. How cool is that? But the shutter button feels mushy. Half the time I thought I clicked but I did not actually take a photo.
To utilize all the other features — zoom etc, I have to use their camera app. The app looks good on the surface, but it freezes all the time. I am disapoointed.
The grip kit works in a basic way, but I was hoping for a lot more.
Y
YznB
★★★★★
An ultra high-quality accessory for mobile photography
I rarely pick up phone accessories beyond cases, chargers, and audio peripherals, but was intrigued at the idea of turning your phone into a full-grip camera. As soon as I opened the box, the quality of this product spoke volumes, and the rest of the experience was no exception. The installation process was simple; everything, including the button of the camera itself, snaps on/off with (very) sturdy magnets. The buttons, dials, and toggles feel very premium and sturdy, and clung on the phone very tightly. I felt really confident being able to use this with one hand. As for the controls themselves, you're able to shoot, adjust exposure, zoom, shooting modes, and filters with one hand. My only gripe is that the shooting button is the only one to work when using this through the stock camera app, but if you're on the PGYTECH camera app, you'll be able to use all of the different buttons. While that's not ideal, at least their camera app is pretty well-done. The accessory as a whole is very easy to assemble, break down, and store, and felt very functional overall. Easy one to recommend!
W
Wendy/The Thrifty Sewist
★★★★★
Awesome!
This magnetic charging grip is the first I've used and it really impressed me. I love the ability to disassemble and use it in multiple ways such as just for charging, a remote shutter, or even just a small stand for your phone. Setup was a breeze using the included instructions, though if you plan to use their camera app you'll want to wait to connect the bluetooth until downloading the app. I was surprised at how easy the instructions were to understand, and everything just worked (which I can't always say). The grip itself feels very well made, yet lightweight. The magnet feels very strong and instantly grips my iphone 15 pro. There are a few different buttons, so be sure to read the instructions before using. Lastly, they also include access to the pro version of their app which is a nice bonus. I am by no means a pro photographer, so I understand maybe .0001% of the functions in the app, but it seems pretty detailed and with more experience, I bet you could get a pretty awesome photo. I played around with the grip/shutter for a bit within the app and it worked great. I love that the grip works in conjunction with your regular camera (though in a much simpler way) or with their camera app. Overall, this grip has multiple functions and works great. I'd highly recommend it!
A
Avid83
★★★★★
Works best with the companion app
The MagCam V2 really is an advanced camera grip for your phone. I used it with my iPhone 13 Pro, and while it improves the photography experience, it’s not perfect.
First, the build quality is good; it looks and feels like a premium product. However, the grip itself is a little small; I would have preferred it to be a quarter-inch thicker to better fill my hand. It is modular and has a magnetic shutter button. It has a zoom rocker, custom wheel, and a shutter with a half press button like a real camera. You can also use the grip as a stand if you position it horizontally.
As far as downsides, I discovered it has several, which could be dealbreakers. To get the smoothest experience, you’ll want to use the companion app. However, the activation process is a little messy, but as long as you follow the instruction exactly, you’ll be okay. Another downside is that the magnet could have been stronger; when bumped with moderate force, the phone can come off, but this will depend on the case you have for your phone too.
The shutter button module is advanced, but it doesn’t work as well using the default phone camera app. For example, when you half press to focus, it will always focus on the center no matter what, so you have to half press and move the focus point then take the picture. In the dedicated app, the phone grip works smoother, it is more responsive, and you can customize the scroll wheel, plus the app has a histogram and offers manual controls.
Overall, for the price point, this camera grip offers a lot of features, like the built-in battery, zoom rocker, custom wheel, and half press shutter. However, the grip is a little small, is designed to work best with the app, and for some reason has the USB-C charge port near the 1/4" tripod mount.
