Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

Smartphones have horned aside the big names in digital cameras such as Nikon, Canon, and Sony, and the iPhone is now without dispute the most popular camera in use.

Also: How to take better iPhone photos

And given how many iPhones are out there right now, there's a massive market in accessories -- everything from clip-on lenses to grips.

But my most used, favorite accessory is something far simpler. It allows me to take much better shots than I could without it.

It's theUlanzi ST-03 aluminum tripod clamp  which allows me to securely attach my iPhone to all sorts of tripods and holders. 

RECOMMENDS

Ulanzi ST-03 Metal Smart Phone Tripod Mount

This compact mount keeps your iPhone stable while you prop it onto virtually any surface, including the side of a car.

View at Amazon

Ulanzi ST-03 tech specs

• Holds any smartphone from 2.28 to 4.1 inches wide.
• Machined from T6061 aerospace aluminum alloy.
• Cold shoe mount allows you to mount a microphone or LED light to the clamp.
• Compatible with a wide range of tripod ball heads, including Benro, Gitzo, Manfrotto, RRS, and Arca Swiss.
• Also features a standard 1/4-20 tripod screw.
• Comes in black and red.

Made from T6061 aerospace aluminum alloy, the ST-03 will work on pretty much any smartphone, from 2.28 to 4.1 inches wide (equivalent to screen sizes ranging from 4.3 to 7 inches). 

It'll take theiPhone 14 Pro Max in a chunky case, but also works for all sorts of Android smartphones, from big to small to ruggedized.

Also: The 5 best rugged phones

The ST-03 doesn't care what operating system your smartphone uses. 

Big, thick smartphones are not a problem.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

The ST-03 can be clamped to most tripods without the need for an adapter or plate.

The ST-03 clamps directly to most tripods.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

This makes the ST-03 directly compatible with ball heads found on professional tripods.

ST-03 attached to a professional ball head tripod.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

There's also a thread that fits the standard 1/4-20 tripod screw (1/4-20 is a shorthand way of saying 1/4-inch screw with 20 threads per inch), such as the one found on this tiny yet handyInsta360 tripod .

The ST-03 can accommodate the standard 1/4-20 tripod screw to make it compatible with pretty much any small or budget tripod out there.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

The 1/4-20 thread also fits things like my magnetic mount, such as the3 Footed Monster Pro .

The iPhone 14 Pro Max held in the ST-03, attached to a 3 Footed Monster Pro magnetic mount.

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The ST-03 clamp also folds down small when not in use, and can easily slip into a pocket or bag without snagging on things.

The ST-03 clamp also folds down small when not in use.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

For under$20, theUlanzi ST-03 aluminum alloy clamp is essential in my photography kit, so much so that I have several. 

Also: This tiny smartphone accessory gives you a fantastic superpower

They're not only useful for situations such as the above, where I need to photograph the clamp itself but also for filming or photographing multiple angles simultaneously.

See also

This$30 gadget claims to add years to your phone's lifespan. Here's howThis is the USB flash drive James Bond would useHow to strip wires like a pro (and my must-have tools)Stop! Your Apple charger may be a counterfeit, and this tiny gadget can tellThis$10 gadget is my favorite repair tool of all time

• This$30 gadget claims to add years to your phone's lifespan. Here's how
• This is the USB flash drive James Bond would use
• How to strip wires like a pro (and my must-have tools)
• Stop! Your Apple charger may be a counterfeit, and this tiny gadget can tell
• This$10 gadget is my favorite repair tool of all time