REVIEW – They say that the iPhone is the world’s most popular camera. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I know the best camera is the one you have- and for most of us, it’s your phone. The addition of the dedicated camera button starting with the iPhone 16 was a big improvement, but I found it a little clumsy at times. Perhaps I can get a grip of my smartphone photography with the TELESIN Master Grip for iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $99.99-$129.99 depending on bundle
Where to buy: TELESIN Store and Amazon
What is it?
The TELESIN Master Grip is a rechargeable, MagSafe-compatible grip that makes you feel like you’re using a “real” camera. Controls include a shutter button, function button, zoom lever and a dial. The Creator combo package comes with a magnetic fill light and mirror.
What’s included?
-
- Phone case
- Master Grip
- UV filter
- Magnetic fill light
- Wrist strap
- Charging cable
- Instructions
My package came with a glass screen protector an alignment frame. It’s not listed as part of the contents on the TELSIN website.
Tech specs
Charging: Type C, 3200mAh battery
Material: PC, aluminum alloy, silicone, magnet
Models: iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max
Design and features
Out of the box, the grip looks like someone took a perfectly normal camera and sliced half of it away, leaving just a MagSafe circle. A sticky explains the button functions in two languages.
The TELESIN site has a more detailed explanation of functions.
I really like the red-colored button. Now I can cosplay as a Leica user.
On the bottom of the grip, where you’d usually find the battery on a “normal” camera, is the USB-C charging port, four LED battery level meter, lanyard hole and standard tripod mount. The circular button toggles the grip to serve as a power bank. At 3200 mAh capacity, it’s not a big one, but it’s better than nothing.
The Creator Combo comes with a magnetic light that snaps to the front of the grip.
This also charges via USB-C. A black dial controls brightness, and three LEDs indicate charge. I also noticed you have to press and hold the light’s button (center of the light ring) and the three LEDs will count up, 1-2-3, until it turns on. I guess it’s one way to avoid accidental activation.
The light is not only rotatable, but extendable as well. A selfie mirror is on the magnetic side.
When you choose a grip. you select the one with your model of iPhone 17 (Pro or Pro Max). Pictured is the iPhone 17 Pro. The case appears to be made of a lightweight metal. The back plate is designed to provide cooling. It’s a handsome case, but some of the buttons wouldn’t press. Fortunately, the case is optional.
The case does have another trick: You can slide a filter over the lenses. A UV filter comes in the package. Even if you don’t need a UV filter, it provides an additional layer of protection. The filter is held in place by a very satisfying magnetic grip.
Here’s the grip with the light attached to the front. The silver and black colors look pretty sharp.
Will the grip attach without a case, or with your own case? Yes and yes. It helps if your case is MagSafe compatible. With or without a case, the grip’s magnetic pull is very strong and inspires confidence.
Assembly, Installation, Setup
Thankfully, both the grip and the light charge via USB-C.
Before you go snapping away, the instructions ask the user to go into Settings > Accessibilty > Zoom. Why?
When it’s set up, the grip’s zoom lever acts exactly like it would on a regular camera. Zoom in short bursts or hold it down to go long. It really beats the old two-finger pinch.
Now that I was staring at the back side, I noticed a small thumb grip. Very nice! Gives you that extra control and feels great.
What do the other buttons do? Well, the round, unlabeled button flips the camera around.
On the iOS camera app, the jog dial scrolls through the different shooting modes.
The website mentions an app called ReefColor. It’s another interface with camera and film simulation presets.
The ReefColor app recognized the grip straight away.
The shutter, zoom controls and front/back camera toggle work the same as they do in iOS’s native camera app. In this app, the dial scrolls through the different camera/film simulations. Want to pretend to be a Leica? How about a Polaroid? Since I shoot in landscape (because I’m old), I noticed a small bug: The presets don’t rotate, stuck in portrait mode.
You can get a slightly more detailed explanation of what each preset does.
When the light is attached, you have the choice of pointing the light in almost any direction.
Tapping the center power button toggles through the three different color temperatures. Brightness is adjusted via the knob on the side.
The photo on the left was taken with out the magnetic light. The photo on the right is with the light on. It’s really filled in the shadows on the face.
Final thoughts
The TELESIN Master Grip really does bring camera-like control to your iPhone. I really like the zoom control and mode toggle function. The magnetic hold is very strong, and the clever LED light lets you fill in those dark spots. However, it is a little less convenient since you now have another “thing” to carry. If I’m going to do a lot of shooting, I’m definitely reaching for this so I can get a grip!
What I like about the TELESIN Master Grip for iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
- Physical controls and retro looks
- Powerful MagSafe grip
- Handy LED light for fill
What needs to be improved?
- It would be nice if the buttons were programmable for the iOS built-in camera
Price: $99.99-$129.99 depending on bundle
Where to buy: TELESIN Store and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by TELESIN. TELESIN did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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