Manfrotto PIXI Smart

A SMART STAND FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE.

THE MANFROTTO PIXI Smart makes no pretensions of being anything other than a mini tripod. The short legs limit its usability ‘out in the field’, such as for group photos or landscapes, but if you’re looking for something to prop up your smartphone securely while it’s sitting on a table or other elevated surface, this is an excellent solution. Befitting the premium Manfrotto brand, the Smart feels incredibly well-made. It’s constructed from stainless steel and coasted with a polymer substance called ‘Adapto’, which gives it a nice tactile finish. Given it’s sturdy enough to support cameras weighing up to 650g, it’s more than sufficient for supporting your smartphone.

A push button at the front bearing the distinctive Manfrotto logo unlocks the ballhead, making it easy to manoeuvre your smartphone into different positions. You can’t, however, position it into portrait mode. While it isn’t long enough to use as a selfie stick, it can be used quite effectively as a handgrip when shooting videos. The tabletop height means you can also use the PIXI Smart as a smartphone stand, letting you watch movies at your desk hands-free.