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This is our review of Insta360 Flow.
The Insta360 Flow is a high-quality phone gimbal that provides stabilized and well-framed videos.
Insta360 is a company that specializes in producing innovative 360-degree cameras and related accessories. They are known for developing and manufacturing high-quality cameras that capture immersive and interactive content. Insta360 cameras are designed to capture photos and videos in all directions simultaneously, allowing users to create stunning panoramic images, virtual reality (VR) content, and immersive videos.
This Insta360 review will analyze the excellent features of this brand. We will also discuss customer reviews, possible recalls, and potential alternatives.
Table of Contents
Specifications:
| Grip Design | Single Handgrip |
| Load Capacity | 4.6 to 10.6 oz / 130 to 300 g |
| Number of Axes | 3-Axis (Pitch (Tilt), Roll, Yaw (Pan)) |
| Wireless Protocol | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile App Compatible | Yes *As of March, 2023: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility |
| Mounting | 1 x 1/4″-20 Female |
| Weight | 13.0 oz / 369 g |
| Load Capacity | 4.6 to 10.6 oz / 130 to 300 g |
| Number of Axes | 3-Axis (Pitch (Tilt), Roll, Yaw (Pan)) |
| Rotation Range | Yaw (Pan): -230 to 100° Pitch (Tilt): -150 to 180° Pitch (Tilt): -100 to 82° |
| Follow Speed | Pan: 120°/s Tilt: 120°/s Roll: 120°/s |
| Camera Control | On Compatible Models |
| Smartphone Dimensions | Width: 2.5 to 3.3″ / 64 to 84 mm Thickness: 0.3 to 0.4″ / 6.9 to 10 mm |
| Inputs/Outputs | 1 x USB-C (Power) Input |
| Wireless Protocol | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile App Compatible | Yes *As of March, 2023: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility |
| Battery Type | 1 x Built-In |
| Battery Capacity | 2900 mAh |
| Battery Runtime | 12 Hours |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium-Ion |
| Voltage | 5.0 VDC |
| Operating Voltage | 5.0 VDC |
| Operating Current | 2 A |
| Operating Temperature | 14 to 104°F / -10 to 40°C |
| Display Type | No |
| Mounting | 1 x 1/4″-20 Female |
| Dimensions | 6.38 x 3.13 x 1.4″ / 162.08 x 79.59 x 36 mm (Folded) 10.6 x 2.9 x 2.75″ / 269 x 73.57 x 69.94 mm |
| Weight | 13.0 oz / 369 g |
Introduction
The Insta360 Flow will revolutionize how you shoot with your smartphone. It’s a pocket-sized gimbal brimming with innovative features and AI technology. Leave bulky stabilizers at home — this tiny marvel folds down to fit in your palm, unfolds for smooth 3-axis stabilization, and includes a built-in selfie stick and tripod.
But the Insta360 Flow’s real advantage lies in its AI-powered subject tracking. And, when you have finished filming, its innovative editing templates transform your raw footage into polished content. This gimbal and its accompanying software add professionalism to videos for a small amount of money.
Comparing Insta360 Flow with other brands of a similar price point reveals many advantages. It’s evident that the Insta360 Flow is based upon the concept originated by DJI gimbals, but it has taken it to a new level. For example, although it is roughly the same size as the Osmo Mobile 6, it includes a telescopic selfie stick. It’s also much lighter than the Zhiyun Smooth 5S and has superior tracking options.
Insta360 Flow’s Comfortable Design
The Insta360 Flow is a pocket-sized stabilizer that can be used all day without tiring your arm muscles. Folded down, it easily pops into your bag or pocket, making it perfect for recording travel videos or as an everyday companion for spontaneous filming.
Weighing in at only 13 ounces, the Insta360 Flow feels more like an extension of your phone than a cumbersome add-on. But don’t let its compact stature fool you; with a payload capacity of 10.6 ounces, it is compatible with a wide range of smartphones and action cameras. The rubber grip provides a good feel for the hand and has ergonomic curves in all the right places. Although its a sparse control layout, you can intuitively work out what to do simply by looking at the controls and playing with them.
The magnetic clamp for the Insta360 Flow is a convenient and user-friendly upgrade that complements the gimbal’s portability and ease of use. It’s an ideal innovation for creators who value speed, flexibility, and a hassle-free experience. This robust magnetic clamp ensures your phone stays firmly in place, even during dynamic movements and action shots.
The Insta360 Flow’s USB-C port makes this gimbal extremely versatile. USB-C is the new charging and data transfer standard, ensuring this gimbal’s connectivity with most modern laptops, power banks, and wall chargers. USB-C supports fast charging protocols like USB Power Delivery, significantly reducing charging times compared to older standards, so you can get back to creating content quicker after a rapid juice-up.
Then, use the USB-C cable to seamlessly transfer footage from the Insta360 Flow to your computer or other device. Some models even support video output via USB-C for live streaming or connecting to external monitors. As USB-C adoption grows, expect an influx of compatible accessories like microphones, LED lights, and external storage devices, expanding the Insta360 Flow’s capabilities.
Compared to the DJI Osmo Mobile 6: The Insta360 has a cleverly designed built-in selfie stick, the same length as the Osmo Mobile 6’s separate extension rod. The built-in tripod is an advantage, too. And it has added a cold shoe mount for accessories. The battery on this gimbal allows you to keep filming for twice as long as the DJI Osmo 6.
On the software side of things, we love Flow’s 360-degree photos. The 360-degree panoramic option captures immersive, spherical images in a single click. Although DJI has ActiveTrack 5.0, an automatic subject-tracking feature, Insta360 has a more advanced software feature called Deep Track 3.0 for dynamic action shots and vlogging. This AI-powered subject tracking technology keeps your chosen subject front and center in your shots, even if they’re moving around or temporarily obscured. It’s a significant upgrade from other versions and allows you to focus on capturing compelling footage.
Compared to Zhiyun Smooth 5S: Unlike the Insta360, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S has no built-in cold shoe mount. Without an adapter, you cannot directly attach accessories like an external microphone or LED light. Unlike the DJI Osmo and the Insta360, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S doesn’t have magnetic clamps, making it harder to attach if you are in a hurry to start filming.
The Zhiyun gimbal is also larger, takes up more space in your bag, and is less convenient to carry around. The main disadvantage, however, is that the Smooth 5S lacks built-in AI features and relies on manual controls for tracking and editing. Unlike the Insta360, the Zhiyun Smooth 5S requires balancing before use, and if you have a larger phone, you may need to redo this every time you unfold the arms.
Battery Life and Charging time
The relatively large 2,900mAh battery on the Insta360 Flow is so good that you can use it to top up your smartphone by inserting a charging cable into its USB-C port. It takes about two hours to charge but has a running time of about 12 hours. In comparison, the Osmo 6 only takes 1.5 hours to recharge but has a reduced operating range of approximately 5 hours. The Zhiyun Smooth 5S takes at least 4 hours to charge, but it can be used for an astonishing 25-hour period.
The Insta360 Flow App
One of the many advantages the Insta360 has over other gimbals is its impressive app. You can adjust settings and switch between modes through the easy-to-use interface (for iOS and Android). Insta360 Flow’s creative app goes beyond basic shots with mind-bending TimeShift hyper-lapses, smooth Motion Timelapses, and the iconic Dolly Zoom effect.
This app allows you to leave editing to AI, which will select highlight videos from your footage. But if you want a hands-on editing experience, you can manually trim footage and include music, filters, or text overlays within the app. It even offers detailed tutorials to teach you all the gimbal features. And Insta360 seamlessly integrates with platforms like TikTok for live streaming.
There’s so much wizardry within this app that it’s hard to pick a favourite feature, but the Insta360 Flow’s Deep Track 3.0 is one of the highlights. This form of AI tracking keeps your chosen person, pet, or object perfectly centered and focused, no matter how you move. It recognizes faces and bodies, even if they temporarily disappear behind a tree, then seamlessly picks them back up. Deep Track even works in selfies, ensuring you’re always the star of the show.
DJI’s Mimo app for the Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal has many AI-powered features for creative filming and stylish editing. Still, unless you have an iPhone, you are at a disadvantage because Android versions are unavailable from the Google Play store.
Zhiyun has two apps available for smartphone filming: ZY Cami and StaCam. Different apps are required for additional features. Member subscriptions are required for specific options. ZY Cami is for beginners who are just starting. StaCam is a professional filming app similar to Filmic Pro but without as many high-tech features.
Ultimate Flexibility and Extendability
Each mode on this gimbal caters to a specific shooting style, letting you dial in the perfect level of control. Swipe or tap the Touch Panel to switch between modes quickly, double-tap for Active Plus mode, or easily change modes through the Insta360 app’s interface.
Auto Mode: This is the default setting, perfect for beginners. The gimbal intuitively adjusts its sensitivity based on movement, smoothing out shakes and wobbles effortlessly. Whether you’re strolling through a park or filming from the passenger seat of a sportscar, Auto ensures your footage stays smooth.
Follow Mode (F): Switch to Follow mode for faster gimbal tracking. This mode is ideal for dynamic movements, keeping your subject locked in the center of the frame even as you pan and tilt the gimbal. It’s great for sweeping landscape shots or capturing your friend’s latest skateboard trick.
Pan-Follow (PF): Need to capture breathtaking panoramas or nail those epic follow-me shots? Pan-Follow mode locks the camera’s tilt, allowing you to pan smoothly across scenes with the phone fixed on its axis. Pan-Follow lets you capture a stunning city skyline or showcase your latest dance moves.
First-Person View (FPV): Craving an immersive, action-packed perspective? The camera mimics your head movements in this mode, creating a thrilling, first-person feel. Whether you are shooting POV bike runs or skiing down a mountain slope, FPV mode puts the viewer right in the action.
Active Plus Mode: This mode adds an extra dose of responsiveness for those seeking lightning-fast tracking, so it’s perfect for capturing high-speed sports or extreme adventures.
Real-World Usage
Stabilization: The Insta360 Flow gimbal does an excellent job reducing movement through its 3-axis stabilization. Even when riding a skateboard or sprinting along a footpath, the video has much less movement than some cameras with built-in stabilization. However, if you intend to place this gimbal on its feet and talk directly to the camera, be aware that a puff of wind will make it rock from side to side, spoiling your video. Attach it to a full tripod if you want steady footage.
Range of Motion: Its range of motion is suitable for pan and roll. It has a pan range of -230° to 100° and a roll range of -150° to 180° but its vertical tilt is limited. The marketing team for Insta360 suggests it can tilt from minus 100° to 82°, but in real-world usage, it can only tilt up 30° and down 20°. It has slightly more tilt range in portrait mode.
Tracking: Object tracking is made easy with Deep Track 3.0, which transforms you into a pro videographer, ready to capture action-packed adventures or cinematic close-ups with effortless precision.
FlashCut: When the shooting is done and it’s time to edit, the app will ensure it doesn’t take too long before you can share your video with the world. Insta360 Flow’s FlashCut takes the grunt work out of video editing, turning your raw footage into dynamic montages in seconds. Powered by AI, it analyzes your clips, selects the best bits, and syncs them to the beat of your chosen music.
Shot Lab: Add excellent AI effects to your clips with Shot Lab. With 25 templates, you can clone yourself, do stop-motion animations, paint the night sky with swirling star trails, or dolly zoom into the heart of the action. Shot Lab guides you through each effect, making even intricate techniques accessible and fun.
Insta360 Flow Reviews
96% of Insta360 phone gimbal owners on Amazon would recommend Insta360 Flow. Over 1,760 phone gimbal reviews give this product an average rating of 4.4/5 stars.
Most reviews share their videos and images with this Insta360 flow phone gimbal. Owners also appreciate this product’s affordable price, with many smartphone gimbal reviews mentioning difficulty finding other quality phone gimbals within their budget.
“I wanted to buy a new camera for my trip, but a friend convinced me to get a gimbal for my phone instead. This was EVERYTHING!! I had it on me at all times and took so much footage!! I recommend playing around with it beforehand so you know how to use things properly, but wow. Best money spent in my opinion! I can’t recommend it enough. I watched many videos and read a lot about different gimbals before deciding on this one, and I’m glad I chose this one.”
You can read more Insta360 Flow reviews on Amazon.
Alternatives
If Insta360 flow isn’t the ideal choice for you, there are several similar alternatives you can consider.
1
DJI Osmo Mobile 6
DJI
2
Zhiyun Smooth 5s Phone Gimbal
Zhiyun
3
DJI Osmo Mobile SE
DJI
4
Hohem iSteady M6 Ki
Hohem
5
JCROBOT 3-Axis Phone Gimbal
JCROBOT
Our Verdict
The Insta360 Flow steals the spotlight as an easy and portable gimbal, delivering pro-grade stabilization and intuitive AI tracking in a pocket-sized package. While its limited tilt may require adjustments to your shooting style, it trumps rivals like the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and the Zhiyun Smooth 5S with its superior software, making it a top choice for casual vloggers or videographers seeking both convenience and performance.
Buy Insta360 Flow Phone Gimbal on Amazon
