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Insta360 X6 brings 8K50 video and AI editing

Insta360's $699.99 X6 adds larger sensors, 8K50 video, Dolby Vision, AI editing and a 140-minute battery to its flagship 360 camera.

Source: Android authority

The Insta360 X6 raises the price of the company’s flagship 360-degree camera to $699.99 in the US, but adds larger sensors, faster 8K capture, native Dolby Vision, and on-device editing tools. Android Authority reports that the camera is available in the US on August 12; prices vary by region.

The X6 uses dual Sony 1/1.1-inch square sensors, a 33% increase in sensor area over the X5's 1/1.28-inch sensors. Insta360 claims roughly four times more light intake per frame. A Qualcomm 8-core 3.3GHz 4nm processor and two dedicated imaging chips handle the processing, while PureView low-light mode and AdaptiveTone 2.0 adjust detail and dynamic range in difficult lighting.

The camera records 8K video at 50fps in 360 mode and up to 5K at 60fps in flat, single-lens mode. It supports 10-bit I-Log, up to 14.5 stops of dynamic range, and native Dolby Vision—the first 360 camera to offer it, according to Insta360. Dolby Vision and I-Log are limited to 8K at 30fps, however.

A 360 camera, action camera and tracking camera

Insta360 is pitching the X6 as a three-in-one device. It can record traditional 360-degree footage, operate as a single-lens action camera, or use InstaFrame 2.0 to produce linear 4K footage while automatically tracking a person, pet, or object. The company also sells a Foldable Selfie Stick Remote Kit for remote-controlled, gimbal-style framing.

Gizmodo’s review found the face tracking effective enough to keep a subject centered while the camera was moved, but said the mode lacks an option to reposition the subject to a corner of the frame. Gizmodo also found that the X6's low-light footage was unusually detailed, while warning that the camera remains heavier than some rivals and that its gimbal mode is not a full substitute for a dedicated vlogging camera.

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The X6 also supports 4K120 recording for slow motion. Gizmodo reported that its tested Bullet Time mode produced unusable footage with the early software because the frame locked onto the stitching line between the two lenses.

On-device AI editing and longer battery life

The new PanoMind system was trained on more than 10,000 hours of footage across more than 30 scenarios. Its AI Director can analyze footage on the camera and create a highlight video while the camera charges. Auto Edit 2.0 can automate framing, cuts, camera movement, music, and transitions, while the cloud-based Moments Pro editor uses Google Gemini to create videos from prompts describing a subject, mood, style, and timeframe.

Those tools reduce the work required to turn 360-degree footage into a conventional vertical clip, but they do not eliminate editing altogether. Gizmodo reported that AI-generated clips can still show warped stitching, and users may need Insta360 Studio to refine framing with keyframes.

The X6 includes a 2,600mAh Xtreme Battery, with Insta360 claiming up to 140 minutes of 8K30 recording—a 51% improvement over the X5. A 30W charger can reach 80% in 24 minutes. Other upgrades include 47GB of built-in usable storage, Wi-Fi 6, USB 3.0, NFC pairing, a 2.32-inch 1,200-nit OLED display, four omnidirectional microphones, and a dedicated engine-noise filter for motorcycle riders.

The camera is waterproof to 20 meters (66 feet) without a case, according to Android Authority; Gizmodo lists the same depth as 65 feet and says an optional case extends it to 60 meters (196 feet). Its replaceable lenses are claimed to offer five times better scratch resistance and cost 60% less to replace than the previous system.

The standard bundle costs €699 in Europe, £619 in the UK, CAD 939.99 in Canada, and ₹81,990 in India. The Essentials Bundle costs $799.99 in the US, with regional prices of €799, £709, CAD 1,039.99, and ₹89,990 respectively.

That makes the X6 $150 more expensive than the X5's $550 launch price. Gizmodo says the image quality and low-light performance make it a leading 360 camera, but also notes that dedicated devices such as the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro or Insta360's $770 Luna Ultra can still be better choices for conventional vlogging.

Tomas Berg

Computing Editor

Tomas lives in the terminal. He covers chips, laptops, and operating systems with a focus on performance and efficiency. He reads kernel changelogs the way other people read fiction, and he's always on the hunt for the perfect mechanical keyboard switch. If it processes data, Tomas has an opinion on it.

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