Who said smartphone stands have to be simple? Certainly not Aulumu. The company is responsible for the Swiss army knife of phone stands, one that twists itself into all sorts of angles.
If you are on TikTok or Instagram, the Aulumu G09 Ghost stand might look familiar. It has been splashed across the video platform, with both the company’s marketing campaign and influencers extolling the virtues of the MagSafe phone accessory.
The latest version is the G09 Ghost, a transparent 360-degree phone stand that offers a secure but versatile way to use your phone. The polycarbonate shell is tough but looks more interesting than the standard G09 design as you can see the innards of the stand, namely the magnetic rings.
Other than that, the G09 Ghost does much the same as the G09. It has a three-axis design that gives you the option of more flexible angles, and sturdy hinges that stay put no matter what angle you set it to. You can adjust the ring on the back of the case without having to remove it, with the grip sliding into its new position with a bit of effort. Once you set the angle, it holds fast, with no gradual wilting or discernible wobble.
There are many uses for the stand. You can use it in portrait or landscape mode so you can view your phone. Fold it out and it will work as a phone grip for taking photos. You can use it to attach your phone to a metal surface – a gym machine, the fridge, even the cooker when you are using your phone to follow a recipe – so you can keep the device in sight at all times.
There is also a removable silicone ring that acts as a finger grip and fits neatly away when you don’t need it.
Those magnets are strong. I’ve yet to have the stand detach itself during use. That is the bare minimum I expect from a magnetic phone stand, but unfortunately not every stand and accessory has met this basic need.
It is MagSafe compatible, so it will work with iPhones. But what about Android users? If you are using the latest Pixel phones with Pixelsnap magnetic accessories, the good news is that the Ghost 09 stand will also work here. If your phone doesn’t have the option for magnetic accessories, you can use the magnetic ring in the box to attach to your phone or case.
If you need to attach it to your laptop or other non-magnetic surface, you can use the magnetic ring that Aulumu has included in the box. Just peel and stick, although good luck removing it once the glue has been there a while. Unlike the G09 stand, the magnetic ring is not infinitely adjustable.
There are some things to keep in mind, though. The G09 is strong and durable, but it adds a whopping 39g to your phone’s weight, meaning your lightweight smartphone just increased its bulk. If you are using an iPhone Air, for example, that adds almost 25 per cent to the phone’s weight. It also adds 7mm to your phone’s case, which doesn’t seem that much until it gets caught on your pocket one too many times.
It is not the cheapest accessory either. At $40 (€35) from Aulumu’s online store, it is pricier than a simple stand.
But it all comes down to what you want from the device. Multifunction? Weird angles? Strong magnets? The Aulumu G09 Ghost ticks all the boxes. Whether that is worth paying a little extra for will be a personal decision.
Good
Solid stand that can hold your phone at almost any angle without budging. The magnets are strong and hold fast, so there is no danger of your phone making a break for it. The stand is multifunctional – it props your phone up for watching video, attaches to your laptop as a webcam, can be used as a camera grip or just to hold on to it.
Bad
Slightly pricey. It also adds a bit of extra bulk to your phone, although it looks good while doing so.
Everything else
The silicone ring has a glow-in-the-dark option too, should you feel the need for such a feature. It has never featured highly on my list for must-haves, but if you need to find your phone in the dark, it could be a useful thing.
Verdict
A versatile, solid phone accessory that is worth paying for.
