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 Ulanzi MA02 looks like a MagSafe phone ring, but it is really a pocket stand. At 68 g and 9.3 mm it is too heavy and thick to leave on your phone every day. As a stand, though, its stiff hinge held an iPad Air on a desk without sagging, and the 1/4-inch thread in the middle lets it go straight onto a tripod.
What I tested
- Ulanzi MA02 MagSafe stand, bought with my own money
- iPhone 17 Pro Max and an iPad Air 11-inch with a MagSafe ring stuck on the back
- Ulanzi MT-08 mini tripod, and a SmallRig adapter on a camera’s accessory shoe
- For comparison: the StaMag Ring I had been using, and my everyday SYNCWIRE double ring
What I found
| Weight (measured) | Thickness (measured) | Holds an iPad Air | Tripod thread | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 68 g | 9.3 mm | Yes, easily | 1/4-inch |
 | 43 g | 8.1 mm | The hinge bends under the weight | None |
- Hinge: noticeably stiff when you open it, which is exactly why it holds an iPhone at almost any angle, landscape or portrait, and supports an iPad.
- Tripod: it screws straight onto a tripod, and the magnet held my iPhone 17 Pro Max firmly enough that I never worried about it falling.
- Camera rig: with a SmallRig adapter on the accessory shoe it held the phone far better than an older Ulanzi camera holder of mine, which bent when I tilted the camera.
- Build: rubbery finish on both sides, a carabiner that works when the hinge is slightly open, and a thin metal plate for non-MagSafe phones in the box.
- iPad on a tripod: portrait works; landscape does not.
Who it’s for
It is for people who want a tiny stand they can carry for shooting or travel: a tripod mount for the phone, a stand for watching videos in a hotel room, or even a music-stand stand-in with a tripod. If you want a ring that stays on your phone and goes around your finger every day, a lighter double ring such as SYNCWIRE’s is the better pick. If you want the lightest possible iPad stand and do not need a tripod thread, the StaMag Ring is lighter.
The video is in Japanese. Useful timestamps: 04:25 holding an iPad, 05:45 weights versus StaMag Ring, 07:50 on a tripod, 10:00 on a camera, 13:05 an iPad on a tripod.
Limitations
I tested one unit over a short period. The magnet on my iPad was weakened by a sticker I had put over its ring, so your results may differ. The price was 2,499 yen on Amazon Japan at the time of recording. Availability outside Japan may vary.
Products
Ulanzi MA02 MagSafe stand: on Amazon Japan
StaMag Ring (comparison): on Amazon Japan
Ulanzi MT-08 mini tripod: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. 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 MagSafe Rings & Stands (49) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.