As you might be familiar with Insta360’s Flow Pro, the first smartphone gimbal that features Apple DockKit, they have now released a brand-new model, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro, which features a sleek design and even more advanced features. With the rapid growth of AI integration technology, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro has taken the leap to become the next-gen AI-powered smartphone stabilizer, featuring the all-new Deep Track 4.0 that offers advanced tracking capability.
They have also improved integration with Apple DockKit, which now supports over 200 third-party iOS apps, including the native iPhone camera app, allowing more flexibility for online meetings, video calls, and live streaming. This compact 3-axis stabilizer also has a newly designed Free-Tilt Mode built into its selfie stick, allowing creators to explore more flexible shooting styles, such as crane and low-angle tilting shots.
Build Quality
As someone who is very conscious of the weight and size of the gear I carry around, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro immediately stood out to me as a potential addition. I can now utilize it for experimental video work rather than carrying a full-size gimbal with a camera. The entire stabilizer unit, with its sleek and foldable design, weighs approximately 350 g, making it portable and easy to carry. Despite being lightweight, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro has impressive build quality and weight distribution with a smartphone attached. The surface material, dial, and hinges feel premium in use. The handle's length and girth have also improved compared to the previous model. I would even say it is now perfect for one-hand operation, as it also comes with an anti-slip handle.
Additionally, it packs a 10-hour battery life, ensuring you can film all day or even use it as a power bank to charge your phone through its USB-C port near the selfie mirror. Based on my experience, it charges my iPhone 14 Pro by approximately 12% every 20 minutes.
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro features a foldable design to maintain its portability. However, the gap between the handle and your phone is too small to unfold properly without the risk of accidentally detaching your phone from the magnetic mount if done incorrectly. Based on my experience, I suggest users hold the handle with their right hand and unfold the gimbal with the phone attached using their left hand. However, if you’re worried, it’s completely fine to unfold the stabilizer first before attaching your phone.
Rest assured, the magnetic mount on the stabilizer is strong enough to handle all gimbal movements and even accidental light bumps, so you don’t have to worry about your phone detaching during filming.
Like the previous year’s model, the Flow 2 Pro also features an extended selfie stick mode built into the stabilizer, giving the gimbal an additional height extension. When fully extended, the gimbal still feels solid to operate. What makes this year’s model unique is the hinge at the end of the selfie stick, allowing the gimbal to switch into Free-Tilt Mode. While this upgrade adds functionality, it feels slightly awkward to bend and twist the pan motor, especially while your phone is still attached.
The built-in tripod legs have also been improved to spread wider, ensuring better stability. However, their functionality is still limited when the gimbal is in Free-Tilt Mode. Otherwise, they are convenient for setting up a shot quickly or accessing advanced features like 360 Panoramic shoots, active zoom tracking, and Tracking+ Mode.
A ¼-inch screw mount at the bottom of the gimbal allows you to attach it to a monopod for extended reach or a larger tripod or slider to expand its usability further.
Outstanding Features of the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
As the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is an updated model, it’s only logical that it comes with even more improved features compared to its predecessor. While many features have been updated, I will focus on those that stand out in real-world usage.
One feature that particularly caught my attention is the Free-Tilt Mode. This mode significantly enhances the stabilizer’s usability, especially for filming low-angle scenes in a torchlight-style setup. However, as mentioned earlier, entering this mode can feel awkward. I highly recommend detaching your phone from the gimbal before switching to Free-Tilt Mode to avoid any potential mishaps with your phone during the transition.
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro now supports more than 200 native iOS apps, thanks to enhanced Apple DockKit integration with one-tap pairing through NFC. During my testing, it worked seamlessly with the iPhone’s native camera app and the Blackmagic Cam App. However, I recommend using the Insta360 app to unlock the gimbal's advanced features, such as Active Zoom Tracking, Pro Framing Grid, Multi-person Tracking, Person Re-identification, and other creative effects. The Insta360 app also offers better tracking capabilities than Apple DockKit, which currently only tracks human subjects and struggles with fast-moving objects.
Effortless one-tap NFC pairing also works on Android devices. Once paired, the gimbal operates seamlessly, requiring no additional pairing steps for future use.
The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro’s operational controls—such as mode changes, recording, camera swaps, tracking, tilt, and zoom—are easily managed using the D-Pad button, trigger button, joystick, and control wheel. While these controls are intuitive, memorizing button combinations for different settings may take some time.
Lastly, the Insta360 app deserves praise for its comprehensive features, from filming tools to stabilization customization, tutorials, AI editing, and a creative community. The app even allows one smartphone to act as a remote for another mounted on the gimbal, a great feature for Android users who lack alternatives like the Apple Watch Control. However, the app’s camera control doesn’t work without the gimbal, so it cannot be used as a standalone camera app.
Creator Kit Combo and Protective Carrying Case
There are optional accessories available to improve your filming experience with the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro that we highly recommend getting through the creator kit combo. At the price of $189, you will get the magnetic phone mount and the LED spotlight attachment as part of the creator kit combo. Besides that, we also recommend getting an additional protective carrying case for easy transportation.
MagSafe-Compatible Magnetic Phone Mount
For iPhone users that have MagSafe-compatibility accessories, you could opt to purchase their magnetic phone mount which in my opinion works perfectly with the stabilizer without changing much of your phone’s footprint. The MagSafe compatibility magnetic phone mount is solidly built to mount your phone in a snap and also doubles as a phone stand and holder.
LED Spotlight Attachment
For those who are always filming themselves or in a dim environment that requires a certain amount of fill light, the LED spotlight attachment is highly recommended, as it’s super lightweight, color temperature adjustable, and has three incremental power on the brightness level. However, I do hope that they add a power-off button on the lights so I can leave the lights attached and only switch them on when needed.
Protective carrying case
This protective carrying case in my opinion is a must-have if you are constantly transporting your gimbal. It packs everything in neatly and also offers pretty good bump protection to ensure longevity on the motors of your gimbal.
Performance in Real-World Usage
Based on my weeks of extensive use, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro has proven to be an indispensable tool for my casual filming needs, thanks to its advanced tracking feature and newly introduced Free-Tilt Mode capability, which aligns perfectly with my shooting style. Its stability allows me to execute larger, more daring movements while maintaining smooth, professional-looking footage. The gimbal also powers on instantly with zero lag when unfolded, making it versatile when it comes to chasing instantaneous moments. The Bluetooth connection is also reliably stable, making it seamless to operate. When combined with the AI tracking feature, which excels at locking onto moving subjects, it becomes virtually foolproof for dynamic filming.
Summary
In conclusion, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro is an all-in-one content creation tool that turns any smartphone into a versatile filming setup with minimal effort. I do like its compact design, lightweight build, and good weight distribution, which make it easy to carry around. The AI tracking is also effortless to activate, and its responsive stabilization consistently delivers smooth and stable footage. What stands out the most to me personally is the entire app integration, offering tutorials, editing tools, a creative community, and even working seamlessly with the native iPhone app with no extra cables or app switching required, adding another layer of convenience.
That said, the gimbal isn’t without its flaws, though they are mostly nitpicks. The Free-Tilt Mode can feel awkward to switch into, with a risk of damaging the main pan motor as it ages. Besides, if you are not familiar with how gimbals operate, you are going to need some time to learn the limits and familiarize yourself with its control, as it is not the easiest thing to use casually. The optional LED light accessory could use a dedicated on/off button for convenience. Still, these are minor inconveniences that don’t overshadow its overall performance.
This gimbal is as good as it can get for a pocketable stabilizer. Perfect for anyone from casual users to creative professionals, it’s versatile enough for everyday moments, travel adventures, or even experimental content creation without the hassle of a full-sized gimbal to achieve professional camera movements. Whether you're vlogging, live streaming, or just capturing memories, this gimbal has got you covered.
Lastly, despite the improvements in phone stabilizing technology, I honestly think we still need phone gimbals, as they are tools that help elevate our content creation process. At least I could see myself using this more often for experimental work. If you are looking to get one yourself, you could get it for $159 (Standard Bundle) or $189 (Creator Kit Bundle).
Looks exactly like the DJI product. I hope it is not justa rebadged product.
No, it does not look exactly like the DJI product. Maybe if you were trying to recall a picture of the DJI in your head. But, if you place them side by side, they are very different. The dial, joint, body, and feet are way different.