Godox, a renowned manufacturer of professional photography equipment, has ventured into the smartphone accessory market with the MA5R, a magnetic power bank designed to enhance mobile photography. This innovative device combines a portable power source with a versatile LED light array, offering photographers and videographers a convenient tool to elevate their smartphone content creation. Priced at $49, the MA5R presents an intriguing option for mobile creators seeking improved lighting control and a backup power solution. However, the initial release lacks a standard tripod mount, a curious omission considering Godox’s established presence in the professional photography space.
The MA5R’s core functionality lies in its integrated LED lighting system. This array of color-changing LEDs, located on the back of the device, offers a wide spectrum of color temperatures and hues, enabling users to tailor their lighting to match diverse environments or create specific artistic effects. The color temperature can be finely adjusted from a warm 1800K to a cool 10000K, encompassing a range suitable for various shooting scenarios. Beyond color temperature control, the MA5R offers a palette of vibrant colors for more dramatic lighting effects, along with 14 pre-programmed special effects, particularly useful for video applications. This level of control provides mobile creators with unprecedented flexibility in shaping the lighting of their shots, moving beyond the limitations of built-in smartphone flashes.
Connectivity and control are facilitated through the Godox mobile app, leveraging Bluetooth technology for seamless communication between the device and the user’s smartphone. This app-based control allows for precise adjustments to color temperature, color selection, and special effects activation, providing a user-friendly interface for managing the MA5R’s lighting capabilities. The app’s intuitive design empowers users to experiment with different lighting setups and achieve desired aesthetic outcomes with ease. This integration of hardware and software enhances the user experience, making the MA5R a versatile and accessible tool for both novice and experienced mobile content creators.
In addition to the main LED array, the MA5R features a smaller, front-facing LED positioned next to the magnetic mount. This secondary light source is specifically designed to enhance selfie lighting, a thoughtful inclusion for the selfie-centric nature of modern smartphone photography. The front-facing LED offers a more limited color temperature range, adjustable between 2800K and 6500K, but still provides valuable control over lighting for self-portraits. This dual-LED setup caters to a broader range of shooting scenarios, further solidifying the MA5R’s position as a comprehensive mobile lighting solution.
The MA5R’s magnetic attachment system ensures compatibility with a range of devices. It seamlessly attaches to MagSafe-compatible iPhones, smartphones supporting the Qi2 wireless standard, and devices equipped with a magnetic ring. This broad compatibility enhances the MA5R’s accessibility, making it a viable option for a wider audience of smartphone users. While designed for magnetic attachment, the MA5R can also be used handheld, offering greater flexibility in positioning and directing the light source. However, the absence of a standard tripod mount limits its versatility for more stationary setups, a potential drawback for users seeking more stable and controlled lighting arrangements.
While the MA5R excels in its lighting capabilities, its power bank functionality presents some limitations. The 5,000mAh battery provides sufficient power for the LEDs, offering up to 3 hours and 40 minutes of operation at full brightness and up to 7 hours and 20 minutes at half brightness. However, this capacity may not be enough to fully recharge many modern smartphones more than once. Furthermore, wireless charging is disabled when the LEDs are in use, suggesting that the power bank feature is more of a supplementary function rather than a primary selling point. This trade-off between lighting functionality and power bank capacity may influence purchasing decisions for users prioritizing a more robust charging solution.
