You're tired of watching your series on your smartphone with a screen that's too small, but at the same time, you can't carry a projector in your bag.

Well, now's probably the time to look into smartphone screen magnifiers. But with so many models available, you might not know which one to choose. Don't worry, you've come to the right place. Read on to learn all about this handy tool that could make you forget about your tablet.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A MOBILE SCREEN MAGNIFIER!

You could rush headlong into buying a mobile magnifier, but before that, it would be useful to clarify some points that arise regarding the specifics you may encounter and which best correspond to the use you wish to make of it.

• The magnifier's zoom . Since we're talking about screen magnifiers, it's important to note that not all magnifiers offer the same magnification capabilities. The size of the object will vary depending on the zoom power, hence the importance of considering this factor.

• Retractable or foldable. There are several types of smartphone screen magnifiers, differing in their operation and storage. While some fold by folding down the various components, others retract directly, which, as you will see, makes a significant difference.

• The quality of the lens. Just like a screen, whether it's HD or not, there's always a concept of resolution and quality range. The better the quality of your magnifying glass, the better the image reproduction will be. This isn't to say that entry-level devices are necessarily poor quality, but the image will reach an even sharper level with a higher-end model.

COMPARISON OF THE 5 BEST SMARTPHONE SCREEN MAGNIFIERS

We'll now look at how these smartphone magnifiers work, what kind of results you can expect, and what their uses are. Is it better to invest in this type of device rather than a tablet? Is it suitable for everyone? Is it dangerous for the eyes? We'll delve into these questions after the comparison.

1. AnCoSoo: The best screen magnifier for smartphones!

2. ORETECH: The second choice! 12-inch screen magnifier

3. STEBRUAM: A screen magnifier with a stand!

4. AnCoSoo: A 14-inch Portable Screen Magnifier

5. A 12-inch screen amplifier in white!

Smartphone screen magnifier buying guide

WHAT IS A PHONE MAGNIFIER OR MAGNIFIER?

It is important to understand how these screen enlargers work before going into more detail about the technical specifications.

One might be led to think that this is an additional screen that plugs into your smartphone and could replace it, but in reality that is not the case and you will understand why.

This type of support will allow you to project your entire screen via a magnifying glass and thus enjoy a larger image for better eye comfort.

Who hasn't watched their favorite series at work during a lunch break, frowning because the screen was too small? The advantage of this device is that you can comfortably enjoy a larger image without carrying an extra screen, because carrying a replacement screen brings constraints in terms of weight, space, and also recharging.

Another important point is that these mobile magnifiers have universal adaptability , which is an advantage because, who hasn't ever had compatibility problems between one device and another, which sometimes results in limited use since what is usable on one device may not be usable on another.

You'll be dealing with a foldable or retractable containing a panel with an integrated magnifying glass and a smaller panel for your smartphone. All of this is mounted on a thin plate for relatively compact storage.

You'll never need to recharge it, because we're talking about a magnifying glass that enlarges the image, but it's nothing like Sherlock Holmes's magnifying glass, which distorts the image's outline. You'll get an image reproduced without modification, because here we're essentially talking about projection, to fully understand how it works.

For those more concerned about the environment, you will also have the option of a classic plastic structure, as well as a frame made of wood.

WHAT TYPES OF ZOOM

If you choose to buy a mobile screen magnifier, it is with the aim of being able to view what is on your smartphone, but in an enlarged version.

The question is whether the increased screen size is worth it and whether it actually enlarges the image. This type of device does enlarge the image, but don't expect a portable cinema.

Similarly, while it's possible to achieve the equivalent of a television screen size using video projectors, this won't be the case with a portable screen magnifier. It's important to remember that this product remains quite small, or at least no larger than a tablet, because the goal is for it to take up as little space as possible.

Therefore, depending on the products, we will have different types of zoom.

What we've noticed is that some products can achieve up to 7x zoom, but multiplying your screen size by 7 can be quite a lot. Unfortunately, there are very few screen enlargers of this size, assuming the manufacturer's information is accurate.

Generally, you will find two types of zoom, up to 3x zoom and up to 6x zoom. In our opinion, the 3x zoom is more suited to solo use and as a supplement, which means that if you want to view the content of your phone with someone next to you, it might prove a little small.

On the other hand, we have screen magnifiers with up to 6x zoom. Also designed for mobile use, you can view your screen, but with greater comfort since the screen size will be significantly larger. It will also be more enjoyable to view your content with someone next to you, which can be more difficult with those using 3x zoom.

We therefore recommend enlargers with a 6x zoom to avoid situations where you might regret not being comfortable, and thus want to acquire a larger one after your purchase.

DOES A SMARTPHONE MAGNIFIER IMPROVE THE IMAGE?

This is an important point to consider when purchasing this type of device: improving the image is not the focus. As you've understood, it's about enlarging an image rather than magnifying it.

However, the crucial point to consider is whether the image can be restored to its original state, or even worse, whether it can be degraded. We have observed that some enlargers can slightly degrade the original image from your smartphone, but remember one thing: your smartphone is likely equipped with an HD, OLED, or other high-quality screen, meaning you probably have the best image quality available.

It's therefore fairly easy to guess that your enlarger won't have such a high-quality screen, but the important thing, once again, is to determine whether the image quality will be affected by the device. Entry-level devices are not all created equal, and indeed, we have observed some image degradation with certain models. This is why we advise you to consider at least mid-range devices to ensure acceptable image quality.

Since prices don't vary much, you won't have to spend a fortune to choose this category. Also, some people have warned us that they've had difficulty getting a clear image under certain conditions, but we've noticed something important to point out. Some people use this enlarger diagonally, whereas it's strongly recommended to keep it as close to the image as possible. You'll see that the difference is noticeable, depending on the angle from which you view your content.

Ultimately, you will still have very good image quality in the majority of models available to you, even if some may exhibit some image degradation.

IS THE ENLARGER INTENDED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE?

As we age, our eyesight can deteriorate over time. How many times have we seen an elderly person with their nose practically glued to the screen to read it more clearly? Indeed, these screen magnifiers are a good alternative if you want to avoid straining your eyes to see what's on the screen properly.

We observed that, overall, a good third of the devices sold were purchased by senior citizens, and surprisingly, this also allows them to share content with someone nearby. Ultimately, it must be admitted that smartphone use among our seniors is completely different from what it was five years ago.

Today, it would be wrong to believe that mobile phones remain a mystery to older people. We see that, increasingly, this device has become commonplace among younger generations, of course, but also among older people who are using them more and more effectively, particularly for watching movies or series.

So, to say that enlargers are only for the elderly would be jumping the gun a bit, but could this type of device make their lives easier? Yes, clearly, and the least we can say is that they didn't wait for us to start buying them.

IS A SMARTPHONE SCREEN MAGNIFIER NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN?

Who hasn't heard parents reprimand their children for using their mobile phone or writing and drawing tablet ?

We have this idea that screens could damage the eyes, we advise you to check this information, because depending on the quality of your phone's screen, the results vary and it is quite difficult to be certain on the subject, as there are so many different mobile phones on the market.

Studies have shown that some screens emit radiation, which could potentially harm our eyes. A screen magnifier could be a good solution if you have any concerns, as its lens significantly reduces your exposure to the screen and allows you to view it from a safe distance.

Rather than advising against this purchase for your children, the opposite would be true if you want to provide extra protection for your little ones' eyes. Having some distance from the original image, enhanced by the magnifying glass, inevitably offers more protection than having your eyes directly glued to a screen just a few centimeters away.

Based on the principle that the better we protect ourselves, the better, this magnifier will bring a certain safety to its use by your children with the guarantee that they are away from the signal of your smartphone screen.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMARTPHONE SCREEN MAGNIFIER AND A PORTABLE SCREEN?.

Portable monitors offer both advantages and disadvantages, and it all depends on how you intend to use them. We'll start by looking at the key differences in image quality between a portable monitor and a screen magnifier.

Portable screen

By design, portable screens are a kind of second screen, and their advantage is that you can find some with very good resolution. A screen magnifier doesn't integrate a digital signal to reproduce it on another screen; it simply uses a magnifying glass to reproduce the same image quality, within a few degrees, while enlarging it.

No battery or power supply needed!

The second important point is the power required by a portable screen. To use a second HD screen, it will need to be charged beforehand, taking into account its capacity to hold a charge. Depending on the model, they hold a charge for varying lengths of time, but you will sometimes have to use them while they are plugged in, which is a significant difference compared to screen enlargers.

And this is where we can pinpoint how the different devices are used, because while a portable screen will require some planning in its use—and in this respect, we're talking about charging—the same won't be true for a screen magnifier. That's precisely the advantage of this device: being able to use it whenever you want, without having to set up a specific system for its use.

Lightweight and portable!

Next, weight is a difference that we will note on their respective uses since if you want to take a portable screen with you, you will have to take into account a certain surcharge during its transport.

Whereas a screen magnifier will weigh only a few grams, thanks to its lighter design and lack of an electronic skeleton, it's incomparably more portable. The same goes for the space it takes up in a bag; you can imagine that a portable monitor doesn't take up nearly as much room as a screen magnifier.

In reality, what will make the difference between a portable screen and a screen magnifier is its intended use.

Where a portable screen will find its place with you if you want to watch the content of your phone on the equivalent of a TV but portable, the screen magnifier will be the supplementary solution in order to move around without bulk with a device flexible in its use.

Frequently Asked Questions!