SMALLRIG x Brandon Li Mobile Video Cage

I bought this SmallRig frame and the t-mount plate for use with the Moment 18mm wide angle lens on my iPhone 15 Pro max. I got this to take on a trip to the UK, instead of carrying a huge amount of gear for my DSLR. I was able to pack this, the wide angle lens, a small selfie stick/tripod combo, extra battery charger and some lens filters all in a small sized TomToc cross shoulder pack. Did I miss my DSLR? Not a bit. I enjoyed being able to slide the wide angle lens on when I needed it, and pop it back in my pocket when I didn't. I enjoyed being able to use the sturdy short selfie stick/tripod way more than I thought I would (It has the tripod mount bolt on it) which was able to screw into any side of the SmallRig frame for both landscape and portrait modes. The strap slot on it was really nice as I used a wrist strap quite a bit when I was swapping the lens on and off, as well as having extra piece of mind of not dropping it with an expensive lens (let alone the expensive phone), also the wrist strap was nice in that you had extra peace of mind from having it attached to your wrist, making it harder for pick pockets to pull it out of your hand while you were using it. It is BIG though. It fits in all my shorts and jeans pockets just fine, but it's just going to be used for when it is replacing my DSLR, and not an every day frame/case. I found out the newer iPhone's have a full Action Mode as well for video, meaning it can do all the thigs a GoPro can do. I was able to mount the SmallRig case onto a GoPro chest strap (using the screw mount), and it held just fine for a full 1 hour mountain bike ride. I like that you can swap the mount plates out too in case you want to put different style/brand lenses on it. I really like this rig! It did exactly what I wanted to. When I am not using it, I swap back to a thinner daily use case, and leave the SmallRig in my camera bag.

Feels strong and sturdy, the latch seems to be fine, the latch becomes like a fidget spinner for me lol.

I also wrote a review for the filter lens not fitting correctly nice case but accessories don’t fit securely and also the volume and other buttons are extremely annoying and hard to operate feels like it was thrown together and not thoroughly tested.

My favorite case/mount ever. 10/10 will buy again when this one gets beaten up bad.

Great case!

As someone involved in both photography and videography, and now with my recent acquisition of the SmallRig Brandon Li Mobile Phone Cage for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, it has dawned on me just how much I’ve come to depend on the outstanding quality and value of the various video/photo accessories, light modifiers and even cages and lenses for my mobile phone videography, produced by the SmallRig company. They have an obvious commitment to quality and a practical design aesthetic that I find appealing. I even like their plain brown, plain inner-wrapped packaging; simple and down to earth. First, let me comment on the color and finish of the Brandon Li Cage: Gorgeous! The rich emerald green anodizing is lustrous and the understated Brandon Li graphic is tasteful and unobtrusive. Even the packaging design is artful. In my opinion, assuming the color and design appeal to you, it’s well worth the extra few bucks more than the cost of the plain black one. But that's a matter of taste. The Smallrig Cage is manufactured to precise tolerances; you can almost hear the air rushing out between contact surfaces when the iPhone is being slid into the Cage’s protective rubber channel; all contact surfaces are rubberized to protect the phone. Installing the phone is quick and simple, thanks to a hinged latch. The tongue and groove designed latch itself is evidence of the thoughtful attention to detail Smallrig imbued into this Cage; it has an affirmative click when latched, and when needed, a quick release button to open the closure. The fit of the iPhone inside the inner channel of the cage is perfect; not to tight, but without any play either; closing the latch presses the phone into the rubber channel. This makes installing, and particularly pulling the phone back out, simple and effortless. The four control buttons do require an affirmative pressure to actuate, and provide a soft click when engaged; I consider this a safety feature on a production rig against accidentally changing a setting. Fabricated into the cage are the usual accessory mounting options, including a couple of cold-shoes and ¼” threaded holes all around to further build out a video rig. Accessories such as a portable light, microphone, handles, etc., can be attached, options offered by Smallrig themselves. There are alternate backplates available, sold separately, to accommodate different filter mounts, and extra screws are supplied to do so. Also built-in, and unique to Smallrig’s cage, are quick release slots that accommodate a pretty cool side handle from their Quick Release ecosystem. Additionally, the cage can be attached to a tripod or gimbal by one its ¼” threaded holes. Or, without anything attached, the cage itself, manufactured from lightweight aluminum, provides sleek, low-profile protection for the iPhone and allows for more stability when shooting handheld. This Smallrig Brandon Li Cage for iPhone 15 Pro Max is the matrix to a specific ecosystem of accessories and components so it is important to be clear as to whether or not it will accommodate gear you already own; read the description carefully for that information. The Smallrig x Brandon Li Co-Designed Cage for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is not only unique, but also provides a great deal of protection, functionality and versatility for the iPhone videographer. A Super useful accessory for increasing production quality.

Design: The SMALLRIG Video Cage showcases an elegant design with rounded edges that complement the aesthetic of the iPhone 15 Pro Max beautifully. The integration of a rubberized edging/gasket adds a layer of protection to the phone and seamlessly fits inside the metal frame of the cage. I'm not the biggest fan of the dark green/black gradient color of the cage with my blue iPhone 15 Pro max - I bet it would look great with other iPhone colors though! Functionality: Function-wise, the cage is equipped with 2x cold shoe adapters and 10x 1/4" mounting points, offering versatility for various attachments. This became particularly useful when I used it to shoot a small wedding, seamlessly integrating with my Manfrotto tripod. The cage's ability to accommodate larger USB-C cables and connectors is a significant advantage, especially for those requiring high-quality cables for hubs, SSDs, or power. Cooling and Accessibility: A notable feature is the cage's design, which covers only the outer edge of the iPhone, allowing for natural cooling. This is crucial given that the iPhone 15 Pro Max can get warm with heavy use. Additionally, the cage allows full access to MagSafe-compatible devices, and the buttons on the edge of the iPhone remain easily accessible. Comparison with Neewer Phone Cage: When compared to the Neewer Phone Cage, the SMALLRIG model boasts a marginally slimmer profile, maybe by 1 or 2 millimeters. While the Neewer cage features 12x 1/4" mounting points, the SMALLRIG offers 10x - SMALLRIG does include 4 indentations throughout the cage for their proprietary connectors, so this is a bit of a moot point. I have a preference for Neewer's latching mechanism, which feels sturdier. That said, I also feel completely secure with SMALLRIG's mechanism and am confident that it won't accidentally open. In conclusion, SMALLRIG's iPhone 15 cage is a well-crafted accessory that strikes a fine balance between aesthetics, protection, and functionality. When compared to the Neewer Phone Cage, I feel that SmallRigs is a more refined design, but both are a great product. I would totally get this again and look forward to using it more! Another great product from SmallRig!

This is a sturdy open frame phone "cage" that works with SmallRig's quick-release accessories including handles, tripods, microphones, video lights, and Moment lenses. I don't have any of those yet, so I can only speak to the case itself. It's an open frame, nothing covering most of the phone body. It does work with magsafe charging mounts (I tried it on my car mount). The green might not be a great match for the blue iPhone 15 Pro Max I have, but if I"m getting into SmallRig accessory ecosystem, it's worth the harmonic disjoint. With a wide assortment of connectivity options, including multiple options on each side, you can do all the elements of videography all firmly attached to your phone, and all with a single tripod mount. I'm looking forward to checking out the wider ecosystem, and this case is a great entry into the SmallRig phone gear.