This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
The GOYOJO thermal camera plugs straight into a phone and turns it into a thermal imager. Some Amazon reviews said this kind of camera stopped working with iPhone 17, but mine worked on an iPhone 17 Pro Max and on an Android phone. The field of view is a little narrow, and the live image occasionally froze.
What I tested
- GOYOJO thermal camera (USB-C, with a Lightning adapter in the box), bought for 18,000 yen at the time of recording
- iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26, plus an Android phone, both using the same app
- A MagSafe power bank warmed up by charging, an SSD and a monitor from my filming setup
- For comparison: the non-contact infrared thermometer I had been using (rated -50 to 600°C)
What I found
- Setup on iOS 26: iOS asks you to allow wired accessories. The setting lives in Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories. Mine was already set to allow, and when I plugged the camera in I only had to approve a prompt. If the camera does not show up on your iPhone, this is the first place I would check.
- What it shows: the warm areas of the power bank, a very hot SSD, and the power input of my monitor stood out clearly. The 40-something °C reading on the monitor felt about right.
- Versus my IR thermometer: the thermometer struggles with metal surfaces, which is why power banks were hard to measure before. On the same power bank it read about 31–32°C, fairly close to what the thermal camera showed. The camera is much easier to read because you see where the heat is, not just one number.
- On Android: the same app worked without problems and responded quickly.
Who it's for
- People who want to see how hot their chargers, power banks or SSDs get
- Anyone who wants one thermal camera for both iPhone and Android
- Not for you if you need a wide view of a whole room, or if you do not have something specific to measure
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Useful chapters: 01:15 unboxing, 02:00 iPhone settings, 03:13 power bank and SSD, 04:38 comparison with the IR thermometer, 06:00 Android.
Limitations
I tested one unit on one iPhone and one Android phone over a short session. The temperature comparison is a quick side-by-side check, not a calibrated test. Whether 18,000 yen is worth it depends on what you need to measure. GOYOJO cameras of this type are sold on Amazon Japan; availability elsewhere may differ.
Products
GOYOJO thermal camera (iPhone / Android): on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan link above is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Camera & Desk Setup (42) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.