Review: Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for Apple TV

Since the arrival of Magsafe and the function continuity camera, Belkin has already released several practical holders. In 2022, Belkin already released the iPhone holder with Magsafe for MacBooks, while not much later a variant for Mac-Desktops appeared. With both holders you can use your iPhone as a camera for your Mac. But last fall, Apple brought Facetime to the Apple TV with TVOS 17, where your iPhone is also used via continuity camera. So time for a third similar holder, Belkin must have thought. And that is now, the Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for Apple TV, available for € 54.95 at the Apple Store. It sounds a bit unnecessary, a special holder for the Apple TV alone. But this holder is more versatile than the name suggests.

Review, text and photos: Benjamin Kuijten (@Benjaminrk). The test was performed in April 2024 and describes the situation at that time. The iPhone Magsafe holder for Apple TV has been made available by the manufacturer for this test.

Belkin iPhone holder with magsafe for Apple TV in short

These are the most important features of the Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for the Apple TV:

• Magsafe holder for iPhone 12 and newer to place the iPhone on top of a television
• Suitable for FaceTime and other VideoBel apps on the Apple TV 4K (2021, 2nd generation and newer)
• Can also be used for Apple Music Sing camera functions
• Suitable for televisions up to a maximum of 10 centimeters deep
• iPhone both lying and standing
• Holder also to place for television or as a holder for the desk
• Also fits on external Mac screens or MacBooks
• Made from aluminum, executed in black
• Price: € 54.95

You may be wondering: how often do you need your iPhone camera for the Apple TV? Since you can use FaceTime on Apple TV, you may have tested this a few times at most. But actually this is an ideal way to face someone with several people. For example, congratulate someone. Because the image is on television, you don’t have to stand around an iPhone, iPad or Mac with the two of you (or the whole family). Facetime on the Apple TV is more convenient in our experience than you might think. It is not our go-to way to facetimen, but it has come in handy more often in the past six months than we had thought in advance.

A separate holder, such as this from Belkin, is not necessarily required. You can also place your iPhone on its side under your television, for example leaning against a soundbar or the television itself. But that doesn’t look so nice and there is always a chance that he will fall over. If you already have a Magsafe holder, you can of course simply use it. But we still find this new Belkin holder quite handy.

Belkin Apple TV holder with Magsafe in use

The first thing that stood out when unpacking is the weight of this holder. It is made of aluminum, but has a rubber finish in the mounting components. This ensures that the holder does not just slip away from your television and no damage leaves. The holder consists of a total of four hinges, to ensure that it fits with many different televisions. It takes a while to find out how to open the hinges exactly to hang it on your television, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a piece of cake.

You completely open the holder, so that you can place the clamp behind the TV. You only have to ensure that the upper part (with the magsafe confirmation) rests horizontally on top of your television and the corner falls just over the edge of your television. Then it is a matter of tuning on the back of your television. Even with very flat televisions of only a few millimeters thick, the holder is very sturdy. The hinges are quite rough, but that is certainly not a disadvantage. This only ensures that he does not just fold in and always stays on your TV.

The holder is suitable for both TVs on a foot and a TV that is attached to the wall. In the case of the latter, you must ensure that the distance between the TV and the wall is wide enough to slide the holder in between (about half a centimeter). That will usually not be a problem.

If your TV is a bit thicker and the holder is less stable, you can still use the supplied extra optional mounting clamp. You stick this at the back of your television, after which you clamp the holder in it.

This extra clamp can be used in many more ways. There are also two drill holes in it, so in theory you could even attach them to the wall, so that you simply hang the holder flat on the wall. This opens doors for other interesting applications. For example, you can hang the holder in the kitchen, so that you can stick your iPhone against the wall during cooking. Because you can turn it and tilt it, you can also click the iPhone with the screen towards you on it. Handy for instructional videos during cooking.

If hanging is not your thing, you can also simply put the holder down (for example on the TV unit) for your television. The foot is a bit big, but that is not disturbing. In this way you can even use it as a holder for your desk, dining table or other place in the house, for example if you go facetimen with your iPhone. You can also slide the Magsafe puck up, so that you can not only confirm the iPhone lying down but also standing.

Thanks to Magsafe you can easily attach the iPhone itself to the holder. Your iPhone automatically clicks in the right place and is pretty sturdy. Make sure that the camera is staged to you, so with the screen towards the wall.

Also view

Facetime on the Apple TV: Further expanded in TVOS 18

The Apple TV has its own Facetime app. That way you can easily video calling via the Apple TV, which is especially useful when you sit on the couch with several people. You can read here how Facetime works on the Apple TV and what you can do if your Apple TV is not suitable.

Versatility Belkin iPhone holder for Apple TV Biggest Trump

The biggest advantage of this holder is therefore the versatility. Except for your Apple TV, you can actually use it anywhere in the house where you want to put your iPhone for a while. There are probably other applications that you can think of, where the holder can come in handy. A tiny disadvantage is that the iPhone is not charged while it is confirmed: it is pure and only a magnetic standard.

In addition to the Apple TV, you can also use the holder with an external screen for your Mac or even on a MacBook. Although the holder is a bit heavy, it will stay fine on a MacBook screen. This Apple TV variant then actually immediately replaces the functions of the separately available Mac-Desktop and MacBook variant from Belkin. If you want a holder who does everything in one, you must be with this Apple TV version. The advantage of the MacBook variant is that it can also serve as a kind of pop socket, while the Mac desktop variant can also screw on a tripod. The Apple TV variant does not have such a secondary function, but that is not so bad considering the versatility of the holder itself.

Keep in mind that the holder is less suitable for taking with you due to the substantial weight. It is therefore especially useful for in and around the house. Although we are positive about the holder, we think the price is a bit on the high side. It is nothing more than a few hinges and a magnet: there is no electronics in it. A price of € 54.95 is then something on the high side.

Conclusion Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for Apple TV

A separate magsafe holder for use on your television sounds a bit exaggerated on paper. In practice, that is perhaps true. But if you look at the Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe in a different way, the product is suddenly worth its money much more. It is not only a practical holder on top of your television, but also as a holder for your desk, dining table, in the kitchen and much more. The versatility of the holder is therefore the strongest point, although he fulfills his function for which he was actually made more than fine.

The build quality is very good, the hinges are sturdy and the magnet holds the iPhone firmly in place, so you don’t have to worry that your iPhone will fall off or clatter the holder of your TV. Yet we find the price a bit on the high side. We also found that for the other variants of Belkin for the MacBooks and Mac desktops. As far as we are concerned, they can all be a tenner cheaper.

Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for Apple TV Buy

Do you want to get the holder himself after reading this review of the Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for Apple TV? You can currently only buy it at Apple yourself, for a price of € 54.95. In addition, the other variants for MacBooks and Mac desktops are for sale, at several retailers. Also read our earlier reviews about this.

• Review Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for MacBooks
• Review Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for Mac-Desktops

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Review: Belkin iPhone holder with Magsafe for MacBooks

Belkin has released a Magsafe holder that is specifically intended for video calling. But this holder is more versatile and can be used in three ways and in two positions. In this review of the iPhone holder with Magsafe for MacBooks you can read about our experiences.