What is a Phone Stick? Pros, Cons & Uses

Wondering how best to record those all-important memories? Selfie sticks offer an innovative way to capture everything from large group shots with family and friends to spontaneous sunsets that provide the perfect photo opportunity.

Whether you're travelling solo or simply wish to take your next profile picture, a selfie stick can deliver a convenient, pocket or purse-friendly solution, whatever the scenario.

But why should you invest in this key photography tool? Keep reading our comprehensive guide to discover everything you should know about how a selfie stick works, along with the pros and cons it offers as an addition to your smartphone photography toolkit.

How Does a Selfie Stick Work? Key Components and Types

A phone or selfie stick is a multi-use camera support tool that provides a convenient way to capture photos. It does this by extending the reach of your phone camera beyond the length of your arm, allowing you to capture wider shots. This makes selfie sticks great devices for everything from a self-portrait with a picturesque background to bigger group photos.

The main selfie stick types available include:

• Wireless Selfie Stick: Connecting via Bluetooth, these sticks allow you to take quick snaps without plugging your phone. Simply control the shutter via a handle on the button.
• Wired Selfie Stick: This type of selfie stick has a wire that connects to your phone's headphone jack. However, wired sticks are now less popular due to the phasing out of these jacks on many iPhone and Samsung models.
• Tripod Selfie Stick: If you enjoy scenic photography, video recording, or taking time-lapses, choose a selfie stick that converts into a phone tripod to ensure a stable base.
• Remote Selfie Stick: These selfie sticks come with a wireless remote, which means that you can take photos from a distance and experiment with various angles.

All selfie sticks come with a phone mount, which secures your device in the centre to keep it stable while taking a photo, either vertically or horizontally. To use the stick, put the phone into this holder, making the grip bigger or smaller to suit your specific device's size.

Then, turn the stick on, connecting it via the headphone jack or Bluetooth. Extend the main body of the holder, known as the telescopic arm, to the appropriate length and adjust your phone to the ideal angle. You should now be ready to take the perfect photo, using either a button on the stick's handle or the remote.

4 Key Benefits of Buying a Selfie Stick

Having a selfie stick to hand can be the difference between taking the perfect self-portrait or cutting the top of your head off in the camera frame! As one of the best tools for budding photographers, here are 4 reasons why you may want to add a phone stick to your kit:

1. Creates a Wider Perspective

One of the biggest benefits of investing in a selfie stick is that it allows you to fit multiple people into one photo. This is thanks to the wider perspective that comes from extending the telescopic arm, meaning you're less likely to crop anyone out.

Every person in your group can also be included in the photo, without the need to assign a designated photo taker or ask a stranger to take the camera. You can even take full-size selfies to show off your outfit or capture a special moment when out alone.

2. Offers More Stability

When taking selfies, simply extending your arms outwards can put your phone in an unstable position, even when using one of the best phones for photography. This often results in awkward angles and blurry photos.

By clamping onto the phone tightly, a selfie stick helps to keep your phone secure for better-quality selfies. Plus, these tools offer a comfortable grip, meaning you'll be able to hold the stick for longer to find the perfect selfie angle.

The tight grip of a selfie stick also provides safety benefits, reducing the risk of drops to keep your phone free from scratches and cracks.

3. Delivers On-the-Go Convenience

Whether you're on a long road trip or simply out for a stroll, what's great about investing in a selfie stick is that they're lightweight and portable enough to take photos on the go.

Most sticks also fold down into a much more compact size, which can fit into your purse or even your pocket, eliminating the need to carry an additional camera bag.

4. Multi-Functional

As we've mentioned, some selfie sticks double up as a tripod, allowing you to reap the benefits of both types of phone mounts.

For instance, while eliminating the need for someone to hold your device, having a phone tripod to hand also allows you to take more creative shots. This includes photos, videos, and time lapses from low or high angles, which can be more difficult to achieve with just a selfie stick or your hands.

A selfie stick with a built-in phone tripod also provides a stable base that can be placed down on any surface for convenient hands-free recording.

Do Phone Sticks Have Any Drawbacks?

Although owning a selfie stick is incredibly useful for getting the perfect angle, it can be difficult to use in big crowds or tight spaces. Their length when fully extended means that they are often banned from large events, despite being hugely beneficial for selfies.

In fact, these photography tools can be a safety hazard at concerts or festivals, so always check before extending the telescopic arm or holding the stick out in front of you.

Unlike a phone tripod, selfie sticks aren't as good for taking professional photos, especially if you're experimenting with long exposures or trying to capture the sunset. Plus, the longer the arm is extended, the less stable the stick becomes, which may impact the quality of your photography.

Enhance the Functionality of Your Phone Today

Whether you're looking for a selfie stick, phone mount, or durable case, at Ghostek, we have a variety of options for securing phones, allowing you to make the most of your device's features when on the go.

A best-selling option is the NRGmount MagSafe Car Mount, which offers multiple ways to securely hold your phone while driving, including air vent and magnetic mounts. This allows for easy and stable navigation, whether you're travelling along a bumpy road or around a sharp corner.

The minimalist one-handed grab-and-go design is also MagSafe compatible and provides advanced heat management options to keep your device operating smoothly through all conditions.

Check out our full collection of quality mounting devices and rugged phone cases for Apple iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models today on the Ghostek website.