ShiftCam SnapSeries: expand iPhone photography with MagSafe. The ShiftCam SnapSeries lineup has evolved to include a more powerful battery pack, a larger studio light, and a much taller tripod — all connected via MagSafe. Here's how it all fits together. ShiftCam offers an increasingly varied range of equipment for content creators and photographers that work from iPhone. When I reviewed the original SnapGrip, I was excited by the prospect of an evolving MagSafe accessory ecosystem, and ShiftCam continues to deliver with the latest SnapSeries products.
ShiftCam also offers a lens set for iPhone called LensUltra, which I found to be a strong competitor to other attachable lens options. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is compatible with this set via a new case, so I'll discuss the set alongside SnapSeries here in this roundup. There's a lot going on with ShiftCam and it seems the company is paying close attention to how people use their iPhone to create. The company has also introduced MagSafe SSDs that can snap into place alongside any SnapSeries accessory.
Everything snaps together with magnets, but you may not need or want everything, so here's how each accessory works and fits in with the rest. The SnapGrip Pro is a big update to the original model with a 5,000mAh capacity and Qi2. It's much more efficient and lets you capture photos and record video much longer. Connect directly to the USB-C port for 20W PD charging. It's much faster than Qi2 and handy when recording high-resolution video that's draining the battery quickly.
The SnapGrip Pro isn't just a MagSafe battery though, it's a Bluetooth shutter that can control the iPhone's camera. The grip is shaped like a traditional camera grip too, so it helps steady shots. The iPhone 16 lineup has a dedicated button called Camera Control, but it's not quite the same as using SnapGrip Pro's shutter button. There are a lot of swiping and pressing gestures with Camera Control, which can be useful in some situations, but there's nothing better than an easy-to-press shutter.
I really like Camera Control, but I tend to use it while holding the iPhone with two hands. It's a bit fiddly too, so pressing the shutter can sometimes lead to accidentally zooming. With SnapGrip Pro, you can easily hold the iPhone steady with one hand and press the shutter. It's really about what function you need, as I find both can exist and have their separate uses. Get the SnapGrip Pro for $89 from ShiftCam's website.
The 70-inch SnapStand Max is a great portable tripod that collapses to just 11 inches long and uses MagSafe to attach an iPhone. There is a built-in rechargeable shutter button that can be removed from the handle too. The MagSafe mount head can swivel 200 degrees for whatever angle you need. It's sturdy enough to hold your iPhone aloft without worrying about sag. The stand opens with a button at the base of the handle when it's closed. It telescopes smoothly upwards and can be left at any length securely.
The mount still feels plenty sturdy even if you load it up with accessories like the SnapStudio Light, SnapGrip Pro, and an iPhone. However, be aware of how much weight there is as you extend the tripod, as an uneven surface could cause the entire device to tilt and fall. When extending the SnapStand Max to its tallest setting, it may be best to limit it to the iPhone and SnapLight. It remains its sturdiest to about 48 inches in length — any taller with more accessories attached, perhaps keep a person holding it steady.
I'm happy that the SnapStand Max can extend to such a tall height. It's handy for capturing a quick photo or video in some situations. However, that extra length comes at a tradeoff to stability and a slight bump can cause everything to fall over. Even just setting it to 55 inches increased my confidence in its ability to stand without a wobble by a lot. Like any tall stand like this, it's important to understand its limits.
The SnapStand Max isn't like a traditional tripod that has three legs that extend. Instead, it's got three feet that stay the same size while a neck is extended, which is automatically not as sturdy by design, but you do get a much smaller product when folded up. All that said, I wouldn't ask for the stand to be shorter. Users just need to be careful and use their best judgement when setting up. Get the SnapStand Max for $71.10 from ShiftCam, currently discounted from $79.
The SnapStudio Light is another battery-powered accessory from ShiftCam. It has 10 steps of brightness adjustment up to 440 lumens while on battery or 600 lumens when connected to a power source. Users can also control temperature 10 steps between 2,500K and 6,000K. Buttons on the side of the light provide easy access to controls. The MagSafe mount in the center can be rotated 180 degrees for easy switching between front and back cameras. Attach it to the SnapStand Max for a studio setup, or connect it to the SnapGrip Pro for a portable selfie or vlogging tool.
