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.
Disclosure: founist provided the Vlogmate mini for this review.
Quick take
The Vlogmate mini is a tiny monitor that snaps onto the back of an iPhone with MagSafe and plugs into the phone with a short cable. It mirrors what the rear camera sees, so you can shoot selfies and vlogs with the better rear cameras and still check your framing. Treat it as an "am I in the middle of the shot?" monitor rather than a precise viewfinder, and it works very well.
What I tested
- founist Vlogmate mini (monitor, Bluetooth remote, USB-C cable, USB-C to Lightning cable, metal ring for non-MagSafe phones, pouch)
- iPhone 17 Pro Max over USB-C
- iPhone 13 mini over Lightning
- Photos and video, with the main and ultra-wide rear cameras
What I found
- Setup is just snap, plug in, open the Camera app and switch the monitor on. The monitor has no battery; it is powered by the iPhone.
- The image is mirrored, like a front camera preview. The left and right edges (top and bottom when shooting vertically) are cropped, so you see the center of the frame. If your face is centered on the monitor, it is centered in the actual shot.
- The remote pairs over Bluetooth in seconds, works for photos and video, and sticks to the back of the monitor magnetically on either side. It charges over USB-C.
- Weight on my scale: 36.8 g for the monitor, 43.1 g with the cable, 49.2 g with the remote.
- It also worked on the Lightning iPhone 13 mini, though the picture felt a little less stable than over USB-C.
Who it's for
People who want rear-camera image quality for selfies and vlogs, especially indoors or at night where the front camera gets noisy, and anyone who wants to see how much background the ultra-wide camera will pull in before shooting. If you are already comfortable framing yourself just by looking at the lens, you may not need it.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Useful points: 01:20 unboxing, 03:00 attaching it to the iPhone, 04:45 the first selfie test, 06:30 Lightning test, 07:55 weight.
Limitations
- Motion looks slightly choppy compared with the iPhone screen. It was fine for checking framing.
- The monitor sits below the lens, so your eyes drift down if you watch it. Glance at it, then look at the lens for eye contact.
- It is not a touchscreen and has no orientation sensor.
- The price I mentioned (8,999 yen) was the Amazon Japan price at the time of recording.
Products
founist Vlogmate mini: 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.