Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
With modern flagship cameras like the Pixel 7 Pro, Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro, the photography experience with a true standalone camera is getting closer. Putting aside the physics of small lenses and sensors, there’s no denying that it’s great to have a great camera in your pocket, but what if you want the “feel” of a real camera? Well, let’s take MagSafe accessories, photography, and the Pixel 7 Pro — three of my favorite topics — and mix them together. What we get is the ShiftCam SnapGrip, a MagSafe case that attaches magnetically to your phone and gives it DSLR-like ergonomics.
So the ShiftCam SnapGrip review: I tested the ShiftCam SnapGrip Creator Kit for two weeks. The segment is provided by ShiftCam, but ShiftCam has no say in its direction or content published.
A handy magsafe case with a few extras
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
My Pixel 7 Pro usually sits in a Moment (M) Force case, which opens up a world of MagSafe accessories like the SnapGrip. While I didn’t have this issue, ShiftCam offers a metallic adapter for any phone. Just stick it on your phone or case and you’re good to go. My iPhone doesn’t need an adapter to use the case, but the MagSafe iPhone case helps strengthen the magnetic bond while protecting the phone.
Whenever I want to use the case, I place it close to the back of my Pixel or iPhone and the MagSafe magnets hold it in place. Simple and easy. Best of all, it doesn’t block any ports or buttons on the phones, unlike others that are attached to the side and block the screen or spoil the sound.
Yes. All you need is a MagSafe adapter, which can either be a thin round metal plate or clip into a MagSafe-compatible magnetic phone case. Moment, Mous, and Pitaka make some of these MagSafe cases for Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, but more case brands are jumping on board.
Regardless of the adapter you choose, you’ll need to magnetically attach the MagSafe accessory to your Android phone and use wireless charging if your phone supports it.
In the future, this may be a moot question because Qi2 promises to standardize both chargers and magnets, and we know it should work with older MagSafe accessories and phones as well.
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
The case itself looks like it was cut from a DSLR or mirrorless camera. It has a large prop that fits snugly around your hand with a natural place for your hand to rest, allowing at least two or three fingers to fit behind it. It’s very ergonomic to hold for long periods of time – more so than holding a thin smartphone pad.
I have extremely steady photography hands (it helped me develop that over the years by snapping clear 2MP drug leaflets for home study) but I still love the freedom of not having to worry about balancing my phone while tapping the shutter button on the screen. . Instead, physically press the shutter button below my index on the SnapGrip and take a picture! You can’t argue with survey feedback like this.
You can’t argue with the ergonomics of the camera grip and the tactile feedback from pressing the physical shutter button.
My main obsession? Every time I use the camera grip I wish it had zoom buttons. Given how good the Pixel 7 Pro’s telescopic lens is, I rely on its zoom to better frame most of my photos. Switching to the touch screen and then back to the case to fix that feels awkward and annoying. Touch zoom buttons make this much better for the Android zoom champions of the world – less so for the iPhone.
In my tests, I liked how sturdy the whole setup felt, even though the case and the phone are two separate components held together by MagSafe magnets. I can’t believe my Pixel 7 Pro’s grip on a bridge, moving body of water, or any dangerous void, but I used it for everyday photography. Streets, tourism, parks, expos, fun events; It can be good for everyone. This would be great if you have pets or kids and you’re running after them; You only need to pair it once with Bluetooth and it will connect automatically every time you turn it on.
But the case does more than just give you a better feel for your phone. It can be a good vertical or horizontal position. It also has a 3,200mAh power bank that can charge the phone wirelessly while it is connected. LED lights indicate the remaining battery.
The ShiftCam SnapGrip also works as a stand and wireless power bank, giving you extra battery life when taking photos and recording videos.
Charging is limited to 5W, but this was enough to keep the Pixel running while I was walking around and taking 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.
More MagSafe accessories
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
If you opt for the Creator’s Kit, you get three additional accessories with the ShiftCam SnapGrip. They can all be used alone or together in any combination for maximum versatility. Again, the beauty and simplicity of magnets.
My favorite is the round MagSafe LED light and mirror that opens up so you can point it back at your photographer, flip it back to you for a selfie, or mount it on any metal or tripod to provide an additional light source. It only has a USB-C port for charging and a button to change the brightness of the LED between five different levels.
The MagSafe LED light is a great little gadget with USB-C charging and five different intensity levels.
The mirror is small, but it helps people frame and check themselves before taking a photo. Another bonus: you get a case to carry the case and light with you.
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
There’s also a small plastic desk tripod, which does the job on relatively flat ground, but I wouldn’t use it in unstable environments, as well as a MagSafe tripod holder that lets you mount your phone, flashlight, or both. I find this is great for night and astrophotography because no matter how steady my hands are, it’s not as stable as a phone tripod for long exposure shots.
ShiftCam SnapGrip Review: Should You Buy It?
The flexibility of all these elements is what makes this setup so fun, especially since all you have to do is snap it together. No plugs, clamps, screws or anything that takes time. This makes them among the best smartphone photography accessories for me.
Magnets make this whole setup very flexible. It’s easy to use everything individually or combine two or more ingredients together.
I use the SnapGrip alone with my phone and sometimes with a light. I used the tripod mount to mount my phone with and without light. And I used the light on the tripod to light the scene I shot with my phone. Add the ability to flip the light for selfies and casual photos, then portrait and wireless charging, and you’ll be on the go for more creative photography and videography, from street to people, nature, and astro.
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
My two biggest concerns with the ShiftCam SnapGrip are price and snappiness. When you know you’re going to be doing a lot of photography, you should plan ahead and take this MagSafe case with you or carry it with you all the time. When we start adding so many accessories to our phones, we end up with a mirrorless camera instead, right?
Pricing also makes this feel expensive for what it essentially is: a wireless power bank with a circular magnetic body and Bluetooth shutter button. $70 for that and $120 for a creator kit with light, tripod and bag seems like a stretch. The Apple tax is very real, but hey, you’re getting more products in one, which helps justify the investment.
Shiftcam Snapgrip Creator Kit
Ergonomic grip • Wireless charger • Multipurpose accessory set
MagSafe camera case that works with any iPhone or Android phone and many accessories
ShiftCam Snapgrip is a MagSafe camera grip for iPhones and Android phones that gives you a DSLR-like ergonomic grip with a physical shutter button. It can also act as a stand and portable wireless charger. Additional accessories (lights and tripods) in the Creator’s Kit add more versatility to all your photography and videography.