The Belkin Stage PowerGrip is a unique and handy piece of technology, designed to provide a quality-of-life upgrade for photo and vlogging enthusiasts. Featuring a magnetic connection system, wireless charging, and portable charging for two additional devices, along with a stand for a phone in both portrait and landscape modes, Belkin has packed a lot of functionality into its Stage PowerGrip. While not everyone will need or appreciate all that Stage PowerGrip has to offer, Belkin’s latest accessory does provide a unique and solid option for phone-first creators.
The design of the Stage PowerGrip follows that of most camera-style grips, at least on the surface. It features a magnetic snap-on frame that works in tandem with Magsafe-supported phones, such as the latest iPhones, Samsung phones, and Pixel phones, creating a simple attachment point. Constructed of dense plastic, the right-handed grip is textured and wide enough to allow my three fingers to naturally rest while my index finger sits securely on the photo button.
Measuring 4.6in x 3.3in x 1.6in, the Stage PowerGrip fits comfortably in my larger hand without my fingers feeling cramped. It is fairly heavy, weighing 9.55 oz, so once connected to your phone of choice, the whole assembly will feel closer to a traditional compact point-and-shoot than a phone. The magnetic connection between the grip and phone feels fairly secure on Magsafe-rated phones. While I wouldn’t go so far as to try to shake the two apart, the Stage PowerGrip does feel secure in use.
“The Belkin Stage PowerGrip is a unique and handy piece of technology.”
A Bluetooth connection allows photos and videos to be taken via the grip, while wireless charging automatically engages on supported phones. Setting up the connection takes only a few seconds and follows standard Bluetooth connection procedures. No additional app or software is needed, and the Stage PowerGrip seamlessly integrates with your phone’s camera app. The overall build quality is solid and feels sturdy when in use.
Where the Stage PowerGrip stands out from other accessories is its additional features. For starters, the Stage PowerGrip comes with a 9.3K mAh battery built into the group that allows three devices to be charged simultaneously. This is accomplished thanks to the aforementioned wireless charging, a retractable USB-C cable tucked under the grip, and an additional in/out USB-C port on the top of the unit. Again, there are no special instructions for engaging the feature. Simply plug into the Stage PowerGrip, and power is automatically distributed to any connected devices.
While the 15W charge is a bit slow by today’s standards, it’s enough to keep the primary phone charging while in use. In testing, I was able to charge my wife’s iPhone 14 two times from 0-100% and still had some charge left in the grip. With newer models, I would expect the charge cycle count to be reduced to just over 1, but obviously, this will vary based on battery size. Regardless, there is enough charging capacity to keep your phone running through longer shooting sessions.
“The Stage PowerGrip seamlessly integrates with your phone’s camera app.”
Another feature I appreciate in the Stage PowerGrip is the inclusion of a tripod-ready ¼-inch screw thread. As someone who has had to purchase a few phone mounts for a tripod over the years, it’s a smart choice for Belkin. It’s a simple but useful hardware choice and one that has come in handy even in testing.
The Stage PowerGrip takes its capabilities a step further by leveraging the grip as a built-in portrait and landscape stand for your phone. By leveraging the phone’s weight, the grip counterbalances the phone, providing a built-in stand for easy content creation or viewing. It worked quite well in testing, allowing me to use everything from a table and chair to a bookshelf as a resting spot for video recording and delayed-shot photography.
While the list of features is impressive, my only concern is that practical use cases will vary. This makes the Stage PowerGrip a unique, albeit niche, piece of tech that will appeal to a very select clientele. While I appreciate all that the Stage Power Grip brings to the table, it’s not a piece of kit that everyday users will use to its full potential. At $79.99, I will simply note that it’s worth the money if you are part of the content-creator clientele looking for a quality-of-life accessory.
