Godox has launched the A2, a xenon flash made for smartphone photography. Most phone ‘flashes’ are LEDs, but the A2 uses a real flash tube, the same technology found in a speedlight, so it can freeze movement and light a scene in a way a phone’s own LED can’t.

It attaches magnetically to the back of the phone and connects to the Godox Camera app over Bluetooth, with NFC to speed up pairing. Godox says it works with the iPhone 15 and later at launch, and that the compatibility list will grow.

A proper flash in your pocket

The headline number is a guide number of about 15 (ISO 100, metres). That’s modest next to a full-size speedgun, but it’s a big step up from a phone LED. Power runs from 1/128 to full in 1/3-stop steps, and you can shoot in TTL or manual.

High-speed sync runs up to 1/8000 sec, which matters on a phone. Phone cameras use fixed apertures, so in bright daylight the only way to control exposure is shutter speed. HSS lets you fill in shadows outdoors without blowing the background.

Godox quotes around 400 full-power flashes per charge from the 7.7V 500mAh battery, a recycle time of about two seconds at full power, and roughly an hour to charge over USB-C.

A bi-colour LED is also built in for video and continuous light. It runs from 2800K to 6000K in the app (with presets at 2800K, 3200K, 4500K and 5600K on the unit), with CRI and TLCI ratings of 96 or higher. Godox claims about 30 minutes at full brightness.

The front ring is magnetic too, so you can add Godox’s optional honeycomb grid, barndoors, snoot and full CTO filter. Godox also says a smartphone wireless flash trigger is on the way, which will let the phone fire its full-size speedlights and outdoor flashes.

We like the idea a lot. Profoto tried something similar with the C1, and phone cameras are now good enough that a small, controllable light source is the missing piece for a lot of mobile shooters. We’ll be asking Godox for a sample.

Godox A2 specifications

Godox A2 price and availability

The Godox A2 is available to pre-order now in four colours. Pre-order pricing has been reported at $84.90; we’re waiting for a confirmed UK price. Full details are on the Godox A2 product page.