The odd thing about Big Heckin’ Four-Day Prime Day this year is that it’s possible to buy tech on day one, receive it on day two, and review it on day four.
I’ve had two days to play with the ShiftCam SnapGrip classic, and I’m awarding it my ‘best buy’ of Prime Day. That’s not an easy title to claim, as I was one of the jammy shoppers who noticed the 85% off Echo Buds (now sold out) deal.
The SnapGrip is a magnetic grip and power bank that snaps onto the back of your phone, offering a solution for those who miss the satisfying ergonomics of a DSLR. I’ve never had a DSLR, and I bought it because, as a blogger, I’m sometimes at events like Tabletop Scotland and UK Games Expo, in a busy crowd, jostling for space. It’s sometimes impossible to get the cameraphone into position and press the touchscreen.
The SnapGrip looks to address the physical handling of the phone itself.
A more analogue feel
The core idea of the SnapGrip is to provide a chunky, textured handle for your phone, making one-handed shooting more stable and secure. It connects via an adhesive magnetic ring (one is included for non-iPhone users with Qi wireless charging or those without a MagSafe case). I’ve a Pixel 7 Pro.
Once attached, the phone feels less like a fragile slab and more like a dedicated point-and-shoot camera. This change is more than just physical; I bought it to cope with the battle for the best on-the-moment snap, but in the two days I’ve had it, I’ve found that it encourages a more methodical approach to taking pictures. Part of this is down to the physical shutter button, which connects via Bluetooth. I’ve also found that the simple act of pressing a button is a world away from tapping the display, reducing the chance of jogging the phone at the crucial moment.
Available in five colours, from a discreet Midnight to a vibrant Pink Pomelo, the SnapGrip is made from lightweight plastic with a faux-leather texture on the handle. While it feels robust enough for daily use, some scuff marks appeared during testing, so it’s not immune to wear and tear.
The magnetic connection is versatile, allowing the grip to be rotated for both landscape and portrait shooting. This is useful for content creators focused on platforms like TikTok or YouTube Shorts.
More than just a grip
Beyond its ergonomic benefits, the SnapGrip has a few extra tricks. The device houses a 3200mAh battery and doubles as a wireless Qi power bank. A small button next to the shutter activates the charging function, which can be a lifesaver when filming video or during a long day of shooting. I walk around with a charger cable hanging out of my backpack (geek, right) but not being cabled to my phone during a convention is a big help.
However, the charging capabilities are more of a top-up than a full recharge. In a test, it boosted a phone’s battery by about 33% in ninety minutes before the grip’s power was depleted. It’s a handy backup to prevent a flat battery, but won’t replace a dedicated, high-capacity power bank.
The accessory itself is charged via a USB-C port at its base, and a series of small LEDs indicate the remaining power. In terms of its own battery life, just for powering the Bluetooth shutter, it lasts an impressively long time, likely requiring only infrequent charging.
The SnapGrip ecosystem and Pro model
ShiftCam has built a modular system around the SnapGrip. The SnapPod, a tripod/selfie-stick, and the SnapLight, an LED ring light, can be bought separately or as part of a Creator Kit. These accessories stack magnetically onto the back of the SnapGrip, creating a versatile, if slightly strange-looking, mobile content creation rig.
For those wanting more, ShiftCam also offers the SnapGrip Pro. This is a heavier and more premium version, weighing 183 grams. It boasts a larger 5000mAh battery with faster Qi2 wireless charging, but comes at a higher price point and, like the standard model, lacks a wrist strap for extra security.
The standard SnapGrip is priced at around £69.99. For that price, some might expect more features, such as a companion app with advanced controls. However, the appeal of the SnapGrip lies in its simplicity. It focuses on doing one thing well: making smartphone photography feel better.
Overall
A winner. I’m thankful for the discount, though.
Quick Links
- Amazon: ShiftCam SnapGrip (at the time of writing, 27% of the 20% off deals claimed).
