This magnetic accessory brings true flash back to phones

For as outdated as it is, the image of a flashbulb going off as a button is pressed is one of the most universally recognizable signs of a photo being taken. And yet, our phones, which capture the majority of our photos, use LED flashes that don’t produce the same blinding intensity of light (or image quality) that are the result of “real” flash. But they can with the just introduced Godox A2, an accessory that uses a xenon flash tube and magnetically attaches to phones.

The Godox A2 sells for $85, but don’t expect to order one for your Android device in the near future (via The Verge). It’s iPhone-only for now, though on the product page, the company says that Android support is “under development.” Because the Godox A2 relies on a magnetic connection, like Apple’s MagSafe, it won’t work with every Android device. Right now that means Android phones with native support, like Pixel models since the 10 series or the Motorola Edge 70 Max, as well Qi2-ready models like many Samsung phones in combination with magnetic cases.

Godox has not announced when the flash will ship, with B&H Photography listing it as “coming soon.” However there are details on the company’s site as well as in a video it released.

When attached to the back of a phone, the Godox A2 mimics a camera lens in look, adding to its nostalgic feel. It doesn’t have to remain fixed to the back of a phone, though, as its Bluetooth range is about 50 feet, allowing users to hold it away from the phone with their hands or to use a light stand with a mount that’s sold separately.

The Godox A2 is rechargeable, and the company said it holds a charge for about 400 photos. It works with the company’s own photos app that allows for manual and automatic control.

Though Godox launched the flash without Android support, there have been Android phones in the past that had xenon flashes built in. The first was the Motorola Milestone XT720, introduced in 2010 with an 8MP rear camera. Samsung also sold two phone/camera chimeras that incorporated xenon flashes: the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom in 2013 and the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom in 2014.