TELESIN Magnetic Phone Grip Review: Surprisingly Good at $21

The Problem With Shooting Solo

If you've ever tried to film yourself — a workout, a travel vlog, a recipe, anything — with just your phone propped against a water bottle, you know the specific frustration. The angle is wrong, the phone shifts mid-clip, and you spend more time adjusting the setup than actually filming. Decent phone grips exist, but the ones worth having from brands like Joby or DJI tend to cost €40-70 and up, and that's before you factor in a remote shutter.

I came across the TELESIN magnetic grip while looking for something in the middle ground — not a cheap selfie stick, not a full rig. At $21.02 (down from $42.04), it caught my attention. TELESIN isn't a random no-name brand; they're known for GoPro accessories, so I expected at least some baseline of quality. Here's what I found after digging into it properly.

Honest Review: What Works and What Doesn't

Price: $21.02 (was $42.04)

The magnetic connection is the core feature, and it's genuinely strong. Multiple buyers across different countries noted the same thing — the magnet holds with enough force that you actually need to intentionally pull it off. For phones with MagSafe (iPhone 12 and later), this is seamless. For Android or older iPhones, the kit includes a metal plate you attach to your case or phone back, which creates the magnetic surface. It works, though it's worth knowing that plate stays on your case permanently.

The Bluetooth remote is what actually makes this worth considering over a basic mount. You can step back, frame the shot, and trigger the shutter without anyone running back to tap the screen. For group photos or solo video work, this is a genuinely useful feature — not a gimmick. A buyer from Korea mentioned using it for group shots and noting how much easier it made the whole process. I'd agree that's the strongest use case.

What surprised me is the built-in ring light. At this price point, you'd expect it to be weak or barely functional. Reviews suggest otherwise — the Korean buyer specifically called it "very bright" with a "great lighting effect," and a buyer from Kuwait echoed that the illumination is strong for the device's size. For indoor shots or quick video content in lower light, this is a legitimate bonus, not just a checkbox feature.

Now for the real limitation, stated plainly: the button layout on the remote is awkward. The shutter button sits at the far right and the mode switch is on the left — counterintuitive if you're right-handed and expecting the main button to be centered or more accessible. One buyer called this out directly and said it was the one thing they'd change. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you're used to other remotes, there's a learning curve. The second limitation is the permanent metal plate situation for non-MagSafe phones — not a flaw exactly, but something to factor in before you commit.

What Would You Normally Get at This Price?

At $21 in a regular store or on Amazon, you're looking at generic selfie sticks with flimsy clamp mounts, or basic Bluetooth remotes with no grip at all. Occasionally you'll find a mid-range grip without a remote. To get a magnetic grip with Bluetooth shutter control and a ring light from a brand with an actual track record — that combination typically runs $40-60 in the mainstream market.

The 50% discount is doing real work here. At full price ($42), you'd be right to compare it more critically against Joby's MagSafe options. At half price, the value equation shifts considerably.

Where this doesn't compete: if you need something truly professional for commercial work, or if you want a full articulating arm with multiple adjustments, this isn't it. It's a well-made consumer accessory, not a production tool.

Buy It If / Skip It If

Buy it if:

• You regularly shoot photos or video with your phone and want a reliable handheld grip with remote
• You have a MagSafe iPhone or are willing to apply the magnetic plate to your case
• You want a ring light included without paying separately for one
• You're comparing it to generic grips or basic selfie sticks and want a step up

Skip it if:

• You're not willing to modify your phone case with a metal plate (Android or non-MagSafe users)
• You need professional-grade equipment for client work
• The button layout quirk sounds like it would genuinely annoy you

My honest take: for $21 with a 50% discount, this is a solid, well-built accessory that does what it claims. The magnetic hold is strong, the remote works, and the ring light is a genuine bonus. It's not perfect — the button layout is a real minor annoyance — but nothing in this category at this price is. If you shoot content with your phone with any regularity, this earns its place in your kit.

Check current pricing and availability here: https://www.ali-ex.com/chNfXx