Insta360 has announced Flow, a smartphone gimbal with an auto-tracking feature. The Insta360 Flow is being touted as the world’s most advanced AI tracking smartphone stabilizer.
The auto-tracking functionality enables your smartphone to follow you or a subject with what Insta360 describes as unmatched precision, while 3-axis stabilization is claimed to deliver ultra-smooth shots. Flow comes with a built-in selfie stick, tripod, and power bank.
Stabilization & AI tracking
Flow’s mechanical stabilization is claimed to guarantee shake-free shots in any scenario. According to Insta360, it excels where a smartphone’s electronic stabilization often fails, such as filming in low light and when zooming in. Flow’s stabilization and handheld design also mean that you aren’t limited to simply setting up the device in a stationary position to track a subject.
Flow utilizes Insta360’s AI tracking technology Deep Track 3.0 which enables it to follow subjects in real time, rotating to follow the movement of the subject and framing shots automatically. Deep Track 3.0 is claimed to offer the following technical advantages:
- More accurate: Person Re-Identification to continue tracking the same person throughout a recording even if they’re blocked from view and All-Angle Tracking to continue tracking as the subject’s shape changes.
- More versatile: Zoom Tracking, Slow Motion Tracking and even Live Mode for tracking while video calling or live streaming in another app like FaceTime, Instagram and TikTok.
- More reliable: Tracking Recovery for when a subject moves out of frame. Flow will keep tracking it by zooming out or following the direction it’s moving.
Solo operators can also set up the tripod and use gesture control to prompt Flow to start tracking hands-free.
All-in-one smartphone content creation tool
Flow is claimed to be the only smartphone stabilizer that puts all of the shooting tools into one device. It comes with the following:
- Selfie stick: An extension rod extends to 215mm for better selfies and cinematic low angle shots.
- Tripod: Extends from the handle, allowing creators to set up Flow to film themselves or capture a creative effect like motion timelapse or 360 photo.
- Power bank: Flow’s best-in-class 2900mAh battery can even charge a smartphone while recording.
- Built-in cold shoe: Add a mic for leveled-up audio without any additional accessories.
Flow unfolds quickly so it s ready to use when you need it. You attach your phone via the magnetic phone clamp, unfold the gimbal, and that’s it. With iPhones, the Insta360 app will detect Flow when attached and send a notification to open the Insta360 app to connect.
Advanced Controls
Flow features a SmartWheel that gives users quick, easy access to a host of useful functions, from shooting controls, to video replay, etc. A swipe of the wheel toggles between four main modes: Auto, Follow, Pan Follow and FPV.
Flow also has an Auto mode which automatically adjusts gimbal settings based on the user’s movements. There is also an FPV mode that can be used to spin your smartphone and simulate FPV drone-like movements, such as a barrel roll.
Insta360 app
Flow also helps creators with AI-powered shooting and editing tools in the Insta360 app. If you are unsure of how to compose a shot, you can use a voice command and Shot Genie will recommend shooting techniques according to the scene. There are over 80 templates that you can choose from.
Hoop Mode is a first-of-its-kind mode for basketball fans. Set Flow to record a game and the AI will track the basketball and hoop to recognize when a basket is made, saving the highlights as individual clips for easy editing into a reel later.
Users can use FlashCut to edit together their video clips on-beat to music, with seamless transitions and effects.
Other shooting modes include:
- Panorama: Simply extend the tripod and Flow will snap an immersive panorama in 360°, 240°, 180° or 3×3 grid format. Flow is the first smartphone stabilizer capable of shooting 360 photos.
- TimeShift: Film a hyperlapse with stabilized, sped-up footage over a period of time, great for hiking or traveling.
- Motion Timelapse: Set Flow down to film between two points over a period of time for a dynamic timelapse.
- Dolly Zoom: Recreate this classic Hollywood effect with the tap of a button, great for zooming in and out on a subject.
Battery Life
Flow has a claimed battery life of up to 12 hours. You can also use Flow as a power bank to charge devices like your phone.
Price & Availability
Insta360 Flow is now available to purchase for $159.99 USD and that price includes a magnetic phone clamp, charge cable, grip cover, and protective pouch. Flow comes in two colors, Summit White and Stone Gray.
Accessories sold separately include a Spotlight and custom decorative inserts.
Key Specs
| Weight | Gimbal: Approx. 369g (13oz)Magnetic Phone Clamp: Approx. 32g (1.1oz) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D)* Not incl. phone clamp. Built-in tripod unextended. | Folded: 162.1×79.6x36mm (6.4×3.1×1.4in)Unfolded: 269.4×73.6×69.9mm (10.6×2.9×2.8in) |
| Compatible Phone Thickness | 6.9-10mm (0.3-0.4in) |
| Compatible Phone Width | 64-84mm (2.5-3.3in) |
| Compatible Phone Weight | 130-300g (4.6-10.6oz) |
| Compatible Phone Systems | iOS Devices: Compatible with iOS mobile devices with chips A11 or above and iOS version 11.0 or above, including iPhone SE 2, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPhone 13 mini. Android Devices: Compatible with Android mobile devices that meet the following capabilities, including:• Android devices with Kirin 980 and above chips, including Huawei Mate 20, P30 or newer models.• Android devices with Snapdragon 845 and above chips, including Samsung Galaxy S9, Xiaomi Mi 8 or newer models.• Android devices with Exynos 9810 and above chips, including Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+, Note9 and newer models.• Android devices with Tensor chips, including Google Pixel 6. Note:1. Functionality varies by device, please refer to the full compatibility list at Insta360.com for further details before purchase. |
| Port | USB-C |
| Built-In Selfie Stick Length | 215mm (8.5in) |
| Built-In Tripod Dimensions | Extended Length: 80mm (3.1in)Extended Diameter: 187.6mm (7.4in) |
| Battery Capacity | 2900mAh |
| Run Time | 12 hours*Tested under room temperature conditions (25℃/77°F), with the gimbal fully balanced and placed on a flat surface. |
| Charging Time | 2 hours (5V/2A) |
| Charging Temperature | 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) |
| Operating Temperature | -10℃ to 40℃ (14°F to 104°F) |
| Mechanical Range | Pan: -230° to 100°Roll: -150° to 180°Tilt: -100° to 82° |
| Max Control Speed | 120°/s |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
