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While the likes of Samsung and Motorola have ensured Apple isn't alone at the smartphone shooter summit, the newly launched iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have once again put an excellent little camera in millions of pockets.
That camera will do just fine for most people's needs, but if you consider yourself something of an amateur photographer, you can get improved detail, lighting, and overall convenience with a handful of add-ons and accessories. If nothing else, they'll give you some eye-catching photos for your Instagram page.
Below we've rounded up a few of our favorites. All of them fit with Apple's latest, but more than a few work fine for Android alternatives (among others) as well, so there should be something for every shutterbug on the go.
Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens ($79.99)
The simplest way to expand your phone's photo quality and feature set is to clip on an attachable lens. Olloclip is the biggest name in this crowded space, and its 4-in-1 Lens is both versatile and dependable. It covers both the front and rear camera, and lets you take fisheye, wide-angle, and more detailed macro shots.
The company's confirmed that the lens works with the latest iPhones as well — though don't expect it to play nice with a case or screen protector.
The olloclip is a great value for most amateurs, but if you're willing to pay up for higher quality, give one of Moment's excellent lenses a shot. Conversely, if you're just looking to mess around with something resembling this idea, Mpow's 3-in-1 lens is a far more affordable option.
olloclip 4-in-1 for iPhone 6/6 Plus and 6s/6s Plus, $79.99, available at Amazon..
HISY Bluetooth Remote ($19.99)
Here's a simple tool for ensuring you aren't left out of group photos. As the name suggests, the HISY Bluetooth Remote connects to your iPhone (or Android) over Bluetooth and serves as remote shutter button, making it so you don't have to hold your phone to shoot with it. It comes with a small foldable stand, and HISY claims it has a Bluetooth range of about 90 feet.
HISY Bluetooth Remote for iPhone (White), $19.99, available at Amazon.
Snap 6 iPhone Case ($49.99)
Continuing along those lines, bitplay's Snap 6 also adds a shutter button, but in the form a full-on case.
Options for both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are available, and bitplay has confirmed to us that they'll work with the latest iPhones as well.
It's worth noting that the company is launching a follow up, the Snap Pro, which is said to have a tougher frame and sturdier button. We'll test that in the coming weeks, but for now, the Snap 6 still provides a more natural way of snapping pics.
Snap 6 iPhone Case, $49.99, available at BiteMyApple.
Joby GripTight GorillaPod ($16.99)
No matter how much confidence you have in your hands, a good tripod will always take steadier shots. Joby's GripTight GorillaPod helps rid your photos of any accidental blurring, and is also flexible enough to wrap around uneven surfaces.
This model works with any smartphone between 2.1 and 2.8 inches wide, but if you have a larger phablet like the iPhone 6 Plus or Galaxy Note 5, a larger "XL" version is available as well.
Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand for Smaller Smartphones, $16.99, available at Amazon.
Shoulderpod S1 ($34.90)
For a more portable solution to ditching shaky pics, try the Shoulderpod S1. It's a sturdy, compact clamp that'll hold almost any size phone in place as you shoot, whether you're taking still photos or moving video. It comes with a wrist strap, and also doubles as a small stand, which is convenient for perusing through your phone when your hands are full.
Shoulderpod S1 Smartphone Rig, $34.90, available at Amazon.
Nova Wireless Flash ($59.99)
The iPhone's flash has improved with each passing model, but to get smoother, more natural light, you're usually better off adding your own. While a simple add-on like the iBlazr does the job for the occasional nighttime selfie, something like the Nova is ideal for more involved shots.
This is wireless, so it has to be held separately from the phone, but that lets you position your lighting more appropriately for whatever kind of shot you're going for. It requires you use Nova's companion app, which can be a pain, but either way it'll liven up your shots with softer tones and improved color.
Nova Off-camera Wireless Flash for iPhone, $59.99, available at Amazon.
Anker Selfie Stick ($12.99)
Selfie sticks sit somewhere between "clever accessory" and "the end of all culture," but if you really want your self-portraits to look less sloppy, they have their uses.
Anker's adjustable pole is made of a sturdy rubber and steel, works with smartphones big and small, and has a stated battery life of 18 hours.
We've found Anker to be reliable in the past — and this model currently has a 4.9 user rating on Amazon — but if you wind up disappointed, the stick comes with an 18-month warranty as well.
Anker Bluetooth Selfie Stick, $12.99, available at Amazon.
Luxi for All ($29.99)
If you aren't sure of how best to use your phone camera, the Luxi for All can help. It's a diffusion dome that straps over your (iOS or Android) phone's front-facing camera. From there, it uses Luxi's smartphone app to measure your surrounding light and determine which settings will get your DSLR the most well-exposed shot.
Luxi for All Smartphone Light Meter Attachment, $29.95, available at Amazon.
Leef iBridge ($59.99)
This should look familiar. The Leef iBridge isn't strictly a camera accessory, but loading your iPhone up with photos is going to deplete its storage space fast.
You can always use Dropbox or iCloud to free up some room, but if you'd rather have something that doesn't require an internet connection, the iBridge can hold your shots on its own. Since it comes with a built-in USB port, it also makes it easy to port them onto a PC.
You'll have to use Leef's camera app if you want to capture photos directly onto the drive, but that's clean enough. This model comes with 16GB of space; if you think you'll need more, a 32GB model is available for $20 extra. Here's a similar device for Android.
Leef iBridge iOS USB Flash Drive (16GB), $59.99, available at Amazon.
Camalapse 4 ($29.99)
The Camalapse 4 has one trick, but it does it fairly well. When paired with an appropriate app, it allows your smartphone (or most other cameras) to take panoramic time-lapse shots — or, rotating videos that display a particular scene for a period of time — over the course of an hour.
That's not the longest time in the world, and the whole thing only rotates in one direction. Still, it should be enough for amateur B-roll, or videos that'll impress your Facebook feed. Just be sure to grab a stand or mount to go with it.
Camalapse 4, $29.99, available at Amazon.
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