Insta360's debut smartphone gimbal has a striking look, a pocketable size and bags of software smarts. Is it the one to buy in 2023?
Insta360 took us by surprise last year when it released the Link webcam with an integrated 3-axis gimbal, but we had a feeling that it wouldn't be the brand's last product with some kind of gimbal technology incorporated.
However, while we suspected something akin to the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 might be on the cards, Insta360 surprised us again by releasing a smartphone gimbal instead.
The Insta360 Flow features a design unlike any that we've seen before, and it has some brilliantly clever, and practical, aspects like a built-in tripod and extension rod.
The hurdle that trips most smartphone gimbals is the app experience, but we've been consistently impressed with Insta360's software for a while now, so we've got high hopes for what this gimbal can accomplish. Let's find out how it performs.
Insta360 Flow
Recommended
Excellent AI tracking abilities, robust software and an exceptionally clever design make the Insta360 Flow the most well-rounded smartphone gimbal that we've ever tested.
Insta360 Flow Review
An impressively portable gimbal for smartphone shooters
The Insta360 Flow gimbal holds your phone steady for outstandingly smooth imagery and easily collapses for travel without sacrificing stability.
DJI and Zhiyun dominate the smartphone gimbal space, but Insta360 knows action video forward, backward, and in hyper-lapse. The Insta360 Flow gimbal ($159) sees the 360-degree action camera company expand beyond its core market into the phone space. The Flow relies on AI to help accurately track subjects when recording and goes head-to-head with models like the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 ($159) and the Zhiyun Smooth 5S ($169), both of which offer similar feature sets at about the same price. Thanks to its excellent portability, ease of use, and smooth performance, the Insta360 Flow pulls ahead of its competitors to earn our Editors’ Choice award for smartphone gimbals.
Flowing Into Smartphone Video
The Insta360 Flow comes in Stone Gray or Summit White and is made of hard plastic. A rubber sleeve that fits over the handle gives you some extra grip while shooting. There are two joints—one in the middle and one near the phone holder—that rotate to open and close the gimbal. You need to give it a little pull to unfold it and gently push it in the opposite direction to fold it down.
Insta360 Flow AI Smartphone Gimbal Review: DJI Has Some Real Competition
BY
PAUL ANTILL
PUBLISHED MAY 18, 2023
Take your mobile content creation to the next level with the Insta360 Flow—the compact gimbal that makes solo filming a breeze.
With its compact folding design, built-in tripod feet, and useful selfie stick, the Insta360 Flow is one of the most convenient choices for mobile content creators. Watch out DJI, there's a new player in town.
Insta360 took us by surprise last year when it released the Link webcam with an integrated 3-axis gimbal, but we had a feeling that it wouldn't be the brand's last product with some kind of gimbal technology incorporated.
However, while we suspected something akin to the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 might be on the cards, Insta360 surprised us again by releasing a smartphone gimbal instead.
The Insta360 Flow features a design unlike any that we've seen before, and it has some brilliantly clever, and practical, aspects like a built-in tripod and extension rod.
The hurdle that trips most smartphone gimbals is the app experience, but we've been consistently impressed with Insta360's software for a while now, so we've got high hopes for what this gimbal can accomplish. Let's find out how it performs.
Insta360 Flow
Recommended
Excellent AI tracking abilities, robust software and an exceptionally clever design make the Insta360 Flow the most well-rounded smartphone gimbal that we've ever tested.
Insta360 Flow Review
An impressively portable gimbal for smartphone shooters
The Insta360 Flow gimbal holds your phone steady for outstandingly smooth imagery and easily collapses for travel without sacrificing stability.
DJI and Zhiyun dominate the smartphone gimbal space, but Insta360 knows action video forward, backward, and in hyper-lapse. The Insta360 Flow gimbal ($159) sees the 360-degree action camera company expand beyond its core market into the phone space. The Flow relies on AI to help accurately track subjects when recording and goes head-to-head with models like the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 ($159) and the Zhiyun Smooth 5S ($169), both of which offer similar feature sets at about the same price. Thanks to its excellent portability, ease of use, and smooth performance, the Insta360 Flow pulls ahead of its competitors to earn our Editors’ Choice award for smartphone gimbals.
Flowing Into Smartphone Video
The Insta360 Flow comes in Stone Gray or Summit White and is made of hard plastic. A rubber sleeve that fits over the handle gives you some extra grip while shooting. There are two joints—one in the middle and one near the phone holder—that rotate to open and close the gimbal. You need to give it a little pull to unfold it and gently push it in the opposite direction to fold it down.
Insta360 Flow AI Smartphone Gimbal Review: DJI Has Some Real Competition
BY
PAUL ANTILL
PUBLISHED MAY 18, 2023
Take your mobile content creation to the next level with the Insta360 Flow—the compact gimbal that makes solo filming a breeze.
With its compact folding design, built-in tripod feet, and useful selfie stick, the Insta360 Flow is one of the most convenient choices for mobile content creators. Watch out DJI, there's a new player in town.
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