Cones' counterparts in the eye

RODS

These photoreceptors help with night vision and are shaped like their name suggests.

The clue refers to the two types of photoreceptor cells in the human eye: cones and rods. Cones handle color vision and detail, while rods are responsible for low-light vision. Since the clue asks for "cones' counterparts," the answer is "rods," the other key light-sensing cells in the retina. It's a straightforward definition with no wordplay involved.