An auxiliary optical component designed to be affixed to a mobile device’s existing camera. These accessories alter the focal length, field of view, or optical properties of the built-in lens. A macro example enables close-up photography, while a wide-angle variation expands the scene captured. Telephoto options increase the effective zoom range.
These accessories offer an avenue to expand photographic capabilities of mobile devices without the bulk of a dedicated camera. Their importance lies in providing increased versatility and creative options to mobile photography. Historically, early models were often considered novelties, but advancements in manufacturing and optical design have led to higher-quality options offering tangible benefits to image capture.