Insta360 X4 review: futureproof your content creation

The long-anticipated Insta360 X4 is here! And so is our review of the new action cam. The successor to the brand’s best-selling 360° camera, the new X4 is a beast in terms of size and performance and offers a ton of updated features for content creators everywhere.

The camera's predecessor, the Insta360 X3, was released in September 2022, which might not sound that old, but that’s actually ages ago in action camera years. Since then, we have had two new GoPros and a few other Insta360 camera launches, too.

The new model is both similar and different, as well as overpowered compared to most rugged action cams currently out there. There is a lot riding on the success of the Insta360 X4, but is it worth the hype?

I’ve been testing the camera for a week or so, allowing me to discover some of its features, and I had a play around with the different resolutions and frame rates – it’s safe to say I’m impressed. Is it worth the upgrade, though, and do you need the Insta360 X4 in your life? Let’s find out.

[First reviewed April 2024]

Insta360 X4 review

Price and availability

The Insta360 X4 was announced in April 2024 and is available to buy now directly from Insta360 for a recommended price of $500/ £500/ AU$880. It’s more expensive than the X3, especially after the permanent price drop. However, we had quite the inflation in recent years, which might explain the price hike.

As expected, you can buy the camera alone or bundled with several other accessories.

One improvement over the predecessor is the inclusion of two accessories: standard lens guards and a soft carry pouch. It’s a small thing to include these in the box, but it makes a difference when the camera has a premium price.

Specifications

Design and build quality

The Insta360 X4 retains the shape and layout of its predecessor, but it’s heavier, longer, and thicker than the X3. Weighing 203 grams, the X4's increased size accommodates a larger battery and a supposedly more sophisticated electronic layout.

Boasting a significant battery upgrade from 1,800 mAh to 2,290 mAh, resulting in a remarkable 67% longer runtime, the Insta360 X4 offers users up to 135 minutes of recording time compared to the X3's 81 minutes.

Optically speaking, the X4 is identical to the X3 and maintains the same maximum aperture and 35mm equivalent focal length as the X3 (f1.9 and 6.7mm, respectively). The optical units look the same, too, so we can only assume they are exactly the same as before.

A noticeable improvement is the inclusion of a larger 2.5" Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen on the X4, a step up from the tempered glass lens found on the X3. While the button layout remains similar, with slight alterations (such as the Quick Action button being less raised), the X4 also features a patterned back panel, likely designed to aid in heat dissipation during extended recording sessions.

Both the X3 and X4 maintain their waterproof capabilities up to 33ft (approximately 10 meters), making them suitable for underwater shooting.

See the full breakdown of how the two compare here: Insta360 X4 vs Insta360 X3

Features

While the software feature set remains similar, the Insta360 X4 enhances resolution and frame rates, offering superior video capabilities compared to the X3. It boasts a maximum 360° video resolution of 8k @ 30fps, along with options for 5.7k @ 60fps and 4k videos at an impressive 100fps.

The X4 also introduces enhancements such as PureShot photo processing directly on the camera without the need for the Insta360 app. Me Mode, which automatically tracks subjects, sees slight upgrades, including 1080p @ 120fps recording (up from 60fps) alongside existing 4k @ 30fps settings.

In Timelapse mode, the X4 raises the maximum resolution to 11k, while Timeshift mode now supports up to 8k resolution.

Single Lens mode, akin to a traditional action camera, sees improvements with 4k @ 60fps recording and a wider 170-degree field of view, providing smoother motion and enhanced flexibility in footage manipulation compared to the X3.

The X4 inherits Gesture Control from the Insta360 Ace Pro, a feature absent in the X3, enabling users to start and stop recordings and capture photos using hand gestures.

Better still, the X4's 360° field of view allows recognition of hand gestures from any angle, opening up creative possibilities for photo capture. These advancements position the Insta360 X4 as a compelling choice for content creators seeking superior video quality and enhanced control options.

Performance

Having used the X2 and the X3 for years, operating the Insta360 X4 was a familiar experience. Apart from the hardware being bulkier, it functions exactly the same as the X3, which is excellent news for people wanting to upgrade from the predecessor.

Even if you haven’t used any Insta360 cameras before, the large touchscreen display makes it a child’s play to operate the device. Touch operations are smooth, and the menu layout is also obvious.

One thing I always appreciated in Insta360 cameras is the feature explainers. When you turn on a feature – let’s say, Gesture control – the camera will explain how the feature works in the menu. Then, once you’re back on the live view, you’ll get an overlay with the instructions, making it impossible not to remember how to use the features.

Although there aren’t many (any) software feature updates, it’s almost better this way. The X3 already had so many features that it often felt overwhelming. The current feature set is more than extensive, and thanks to the resolution and frame rate upgrades, you can create more premium footage with the X4 than ever before.

The biggest improvements are bumping up the maximum resolution from 5.7k to 8k and increasing the frame rate to 100 fps in 4k. Considering the resolution of most TVs, the size of most smartphone screens, and general internet speeds, the latter is more useful at the moment.

It might take some time until 8k becomes the standard streaming resolution, but everyone enjoys good slow-motion footage. In fact, a higher frame rate is almost more important than resolution, as that can be used in a variety of ways, from smoother motion to dramatic slow-motion action.

There is also the argument that unless smartphone displays become dramatically bigger, our eyes won’t be able to see the difference between 5.7k and 8k videos. It makes a difference on larger screens, of course, so for commercial use, the Insta360 X4 is certainly a better option.

It’s more important to be able to shoot videos in 5.7k @ 60fps than 8k @ 30fps. More importantly for content creators, these 5.7k @ 60fps videos are shot in 360 degrees, meaning you can shoot one video and edit it into both horizontal and vertical videos! Two in one.

Improvements were also made in other areas, such as the increased field of view in single-lens mode, which makes the Insta360 X4 an excellent alternative to GoPros. I know some people are put off by the thought of editing 360-degree footage, but using the single-lens mode eliminates this problem altogether.

Insta360 app

Speaking of editing, Insta360 is doing its best—with the help of AI—to relieve users of this burden. The Insta360 app has undergone a ton of updates since the launch of the X3, allowing you to upload videos in the app and let AI do the rest.

Stuff like Quick Edit and AI Edit are just two of the in-app features that virtually do the editing for you. The Insta360 app does an amazing job when it comes to recognising objects and reframing the footage to always show the best angles.

Most of the templates in everyone’s favourite Shot Lab are also available for Insta360 X4 users. In case you’re unfamiliar, these allow you to create Instagram-worthy videos without any input from you, apart from selecting the videos you want to include in the final cut.

Battery life

Thanks to the larger battery unit inside the camera, the Insta360 X4's battery life has increased significantly. The official number is 135 minutes (2 hours and 15 minutes), although this is only for videos shot in lower resolution and at slower frame rates.

The maximum runtime in 8k @ 30fps is 75 minutes, which isn’t too shabby still. For comparison, the GoPro Hero 12 Black can record videos at 5.3k @ 30fps for 90 minutes. I won’t even compare the runtime to the Insta360 GO 3!

It’s worth noting that the Insta360 X4 offers a little warning message when setting the camera to 8k resolution to say it might overheat unless there is some wind to keep it cool. I would advise against using the camera indoors in this mode for prolonged periods as it might damage the battery.

Verdict

The Insta360 X4 is a monster of an action camera primarily aimed at content creators and thrill seekers who want to capture videos and photos that stand out on social media.

It feels overpowered and maybe a bit too much in some cases, but you must appreciate the fact that this camera is designed for the future, not the present. The X4 not only has to wow people now but also stay relevant for years to come, and that’s not easy considering how fast technology changes.

Right now, there is no better consumer-level 360° action camera than the Insta360 X4. However, not everyone needs it; a lot of people are better off with the X3, thanks to the recent permanent price drop.

Having said that, it’s hard not to get excited about the Insta360 X4’s potential. Like many Insta360 products, it’s a superb vlogging camera that lets you expand your creative wings. In fact, this camera's biggest limit is us—or, more accurately, the boring lives we lead.

But who knows? The X4 might inspire you to do something productive with your free time, whether it’s setting up that YouTube channel you always planned on starting or producing better holiday photos and videos. Let the Insta360 X4 be your reminder that the world is your oyster!

Also consider

The GoPro Max could be considered a potential alternative to the Insta360 X4, but only for diehard GoPro fans. Its intuitive controls and versatile shooting modes help you express yourself differently from mainline GoPros; however, image stitching issues and lower resolutions for conventional video and stills are notable drawbacks. Read Rich's full GoPro Max review.

Despite its age, the Insta360 One X2 might be an excellent alternative to the X4. It impresses with its 5.7K video capability, versatile shooting modes, and compact design. Plus, it offers features like MultiView and Steady Cam, enhancing creative possibilities. Overall, it's a powerful tool for innovative content creation. Read Jamie's full Insta360 One X2 review.