Insta360 Flow 2 Pro review: the best small iPhone gimbal gets an update
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Two-minute review
Insta360 was originally launched less than a year ago wandering The smartphone stabilizer is already on the market, and there’s already a successor to the Flow 2 Pro. However, the new gimbal (perhaps unsurprisingly, given the time frame) doesn’t represent a giant leap – just a logical progression in a few key areas.
This is another compact handheld gimbal that keeps the connected smartphone level and smooth in motion, allowing users to capture more stable, professional video footage while walking, or by placing the gimbal on the ground with an integrated tripod on a flat surface, using their phone like an automated videographer to move around while the gimbal uses its software to track and follow their movements, keeping them in the frame.
Thankfully, all of the original model’s key strengths either remain the same or have been improved upon. For example, the lightweight folding design makes the Flow 2 Pro one of the most portable smartphone stabilizers, just like the Flow Pro. And, like the Flow Pro, it features a magnetic clamping system that makes the process of mounting the phone and deploying the gimbal refreshingly fast and easy. The clip clips securely to the sides of your phone, accommodating devices from 64mm to 84mm wide, and then simply sticks to the gimbal arm via its powerful magnets, holding it in place with a satisfying ‘ding’.
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I think the design is better this time around, though, as the Flow 2 Pro’s construction is sturdier and more durable than its predecessor, and even the built-in tripod legs are less awkward to pull out and offer more stability. Hands-free stable platform.
In its folded state, the Flow 2 Pro is very small. I can even put it in my coat pocket which is not possible for many others The best smartphone gimbal. The base set comes with a soft cloth drawstring bag for storage in this case, but Insta360 also sells an optional hard carrying case with built-in straps for the gimbal, magnetic clips, and (also optional) fill light. Comfort cutouts for lamps. This case comes with a removable shoulder strap and a mesh compartment inside the lid to store cables and other small accessories. It’s an ideal way to store the Flow 2 Pro when not in use. I wish it was included in the basic package. – but I think keeping it as an optional upgrade would really lower the overall cost for those who want to get in at the lowest price.
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As for the smartphone’s stability itself, I don’t have any glaring complaints – everything performs well, and the Flow 2 Pro is much more comfortable in the hand than the original Flow Pro. The three-axis gimbal supports phones weighing up to 300 grams and stabilizes them using one of three modes: Follow (follows the user’s pan and tilt movements, but keeps the roll axis fixed); Pan Follow (similar, but Keeps tilt and roll axes fixed); and FPV (follows user movement in all three axes).
There’s also an automatic mode that follows tilt and pan movements and automatically adjusts their sensitivity in real time, plus all axes can be held in place at any time by holding down the trigger on the handle. The sixth and final mode is Active Plus, which adds extra sensitivity and responsiveness to the above modes and is activated by tapping and then holding the trigger.
You can also move the gimbal manually using the controls on the handle, with the thumbstick supporting tilt and pan movements, and the scroll wheel controlling roll axis movement in FPV mode. Single-click the trigger to turn subject tracking on and off, double-click to reset the phone to a horizontal center position, and triple-click to rotate the phone 180 degrees so that it faces the opposite direction to the way it’s currently facing.
The simple circular control setup is similar to the Flow Pro, but with some tweaks for ergonomics. It’s a slightly nicer touch now, with the four mode lights of Auto, Follow, Pan Follow and FPV located at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions of the circle, rather than in a row at the top. The Flow Pro retains the green light that pops up to tell you tracking is in progress, as does the NFC tap dot above it for Android and Apple’s first-ever one-touch pairing of phones.
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A 21cm extension that extends from the handle to create extra distance between the user and the phone remains as in the previous model, but a new free-tilt option extends the Flow 2 Pro’s range of motion. It moves the arm out of the way, which allows me to capture up and down angle shots that I wouldn’t be able to capture otherwise.
On the software side, the Flow 2 Pro retains Apple DockKit support, which means it can track subjects in more than 200 iPhone camera apps, including black magic camera, Tik Tok As well as the iPhone’s own native camera app. Obviously, this leaves Android users feeling a bit lacking in comparison, as the only way they can track on the Flow 2 Pro is through the Insta360 app.
However, the app is great – I think provides a smoother, smarter and more responsive tracking experience than any app using DockKit integration to date. New tracking features added to Flow 2 Pro include crowd tracking, tracking when zoomed in up to 15x, and Pro Framing Grid, which can modify tracking to move subjects off-center in the frame for a more pleasing “golden” look Effect. Than’ composition.
The app also supports Dolby Vision and Apple ProRes video recording, a new teleprompter option to help content creators stick to script, and support for remote control of the gimbal via a second smartphone or Apple Watch. I like the idea of ​​a remote, but having to whip out a second smartphone isn’t ideal – so hopefully Insta360 can take inspiration from the Hohem iSteady M7’s integrated remote for future stabilizers.
I did get a chance to try out some of the optional accessories, such as the MagSafe mount, which is a more elegant and sleek mounting option than the spring-loaded magnetic handle and the LED fill light that plugs directly into the gimbal arm on the stand. There’s a USB-C output (which can also be used to charge your phone’s battery) and provides one of three intensities of warm, neutral or cold light. It’s not as flexible as the LED that comes with the Hohem M7, but it’s powerful enough for nighttime vlogging, and can work forward and backward.
The Flow 2 Pro has a battery life of up to 10 hours, and a full charge lasts about the same time as the original model. By small gimbal standards, it’s good, and much longer than the 6.5 hours offered by regular gimbals. DJI Osmo 6 mobile gimbalits closest competitor.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: price and availability
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro will be available to order from launch (January 16, 2025) in a two-piece set and two colors: Stone Gray and Summit White.
The standard package costs $159.99 / £144.99 / AU$239.99 and includes the Flow 2 Pro itself as well as the magnetic clip, USB-A to USB-C charging cable and soft storage backplane. The Creator Bundle costs $189.99 / £169.99 / AU$289.99 and includes all of the above, plus a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a magnetic phone holder for MagSafe iPhone and Spotlight, a device that clips directly onto the device small fill light on the screen). Gimbal arm.
This launch price is slightly higher than the launch price of the original Flow Pro (which will arrive in July 2024); however, accounting for inflation, I think it will be about the same – although I expect the price of the original Flow Pro to drop due to its The successor has arrived – the Flow 2 Pro’s most established competitor, the DJI Osmo 6 Mobile, has already arrived.
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Specs
| aspect: | 97.9 x 178.4 x 36.7 mm (folded) |
| weight: | 357g (382g, including magnetic clip) |
| Compatible mobile phone weight: | 130 to 300 grams |
| Compatible mobile phone thickness: | 6.9 to 10 mm |
| Compatible mobile phone width: | 64 to 84 mm |
| Connectivity: | Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C |
| Battery life: | about 10 hours |
Insta360 Flow 2 Pro: Also consider
Should I buy Insta360 Flow 2 Pro?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
- Used for one week
- Tested with iPhone 13 and various iOS apps
- Can be used on a tripod and handheld indoors and outdoors
I spent a week using the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro in and around my home, using it to record footage on the move as well as footage secured via the built-in tripod. I tested it with my Apple iPhone 13 and a variety of camera apps, including the Insta360 app, BlackMagic Camera, and the iPhone’s own camera, to record behind-the-scenes and vlog-style videos.
The first review will be in January 2025
