Insta 360 X6 review: superb image quality, but a steep price and buggy app | Tech Radar

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I test 360 cameras for a living and the new Insta 360 X6 is my favorite  — but the price is hard to swallow

The Insta 360 X6 confidently delivers 360 video that's excellent day or night — but that all-round quality comes at a steep price, and its companion app needs work

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The Insta 360 X6 is a camera of two halves: hardware that feels impeccable, paired with software that plainly doesn't. But I feel those software niggles are teething problems rather than dealbreakers, and they don't come close to outweighing what the X6 gets right. Offering superb image quality in any light, rugged durability and excellent battery life, this the most capable small 360 camera I've tested to date, and worth the hefty asking price for anyone looking for the finest all-round performer in its class.

+Excellent image quality in bright daylight and low light alike

Excellent image quality in bright daylight and low light alike

+Class-leading case-free waterproofing to 20m depth

-The priciest small 360 camera on the market by some distance

The priciest small 360 camera on the market by some distance

-Mobile app was unstable and crash-prone throughout testing

Mobile app was unstable and crash-prone throughout testing

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10 years after Insta 360 launched its first 360 camera, the X6 arrives as the anniversary flagship — and it arrives in a much, much busier 360 camera market. This time, Insta 360 is defending its home turf against a resurgent Go Pro Max 2 and a highly capable debut from DJI in the Osmo 360. There's a feeling, then, that the X6 has to be something more than just an annual refresh.

For the most part, it delivers. The squat body houses a pair of larger 1/1.1-inch sensors, and while I wouldn't call the resulting jump in image quality dramatic when set directly against the X5's footage, its effect on where the X6 sits against the wider field is significant.

The Go Pro Max 2 has owned daylight sharpness in this category since launch, and the Insta 360 X5 has owned the night. The X6 is the first small 360 camera I've tested that doesn't ask you to pick one or the other — it's excellent in both conditions, which makes it, in my view, the best-performing 360 camera you can currently buy.

It's a similar story with durability. Waterproof to 20m without a case and 60m with one, the X6 comfortably out-swims both the Osmo 360 and the Max 2, and its lenses remain just as easy (and now cheaper) to replace if you scratch one . Battery life is another strong point: Insta 360's 140-minute claim at 8K/30fps held up closely in my testing, with zero overheating during continuous filming.

Where things get messier is the software. The X6 introduces some exciting additions for serious creators, like 10-bit color across every shooting mode including low light, native Dolby Vision, and forthcoming native Da Vinci Resolve support, but the mobile app I tested struggled badly, crashing repeatedly during editing and export. I'm hoping the launch app is a lot more robust. The desktop app fared much better, but lacks the AI auto-editing tools that make the mobile experience so appealing on paper.

All of this comes at a premium price, too: the X6 is comfortably the most expensive small 360 camera around. Whether that premium is worth paying will come down to how much you value best-in-class image quality and hardware.

I've also directly compared the Insta 360 X6 and Insta 360 X5 in real video recording scenarios — check out my early verdict.

The Insta 360 X6 launched on August 12, 2026, priced from

Also available is the Essentials Bundle, priced at

It's quite a price jump over where the X5 launched (

One thing worth budgeting for regardless of which bundle you choose: while the X6 has 47GB of usable built-in storage, 8K footage eats through that fast (more on this in the Design section), so factor in a high-capacity micro SD card if you don't already have a spare lying around.

IP68-rated and waterproof to 20m (60m with optional dive case)

Replaceable lenses claimed to be 5x more scratch-resistant than X5's

The X6 weighs 6.9oz / 196g, and is noticeably squatter and squarer than its X4 and X5 predecessors, a change I'd put down to the need to accommodate the larger 1/1.1-inch sensors inside. That extra width also allows room for a bigger screen: a 2.32-inch OLED display that supports an always-on mode, a step up from the screens on the last couple of Insta 360 X cameras.

That screen also introduces a pressure-sensitive, haptic touch interface, requiring a firmer press to access certain options. It's a clever party trick, but in practice I didn't find it added much to the experience — it feels more like a gimmick for now than a true usability upgrade.

For mounting purposes, you get the same setup as the X5: a standard 1/4-inch tripod thread and Insta 360's proprietary magnetic clip mount on the bottom. Between these and adapters for Go Pro-style mounting fingers, you can securely bolt the X6 to pretty much anything. During testing, I used the supplied selfie stick for on-foot and cycling footage, and also tested the Small Rig Vehicle Suction Cup Support Kit for car-mounted shots, both of which worked brilliantly.

On the durability front, the X6 is IP68-rated and waterproof to 20m without any additional housing, rising to 60m with Insta 360's official dive case (which costs a whopping

Insta 360 says the X6's lenses are five times more scratch-resistant than the X5's, and cheaper to replace, too. I didn't manage to scratch mine during testing — which speaks well of that durability claim — so I didn't get to experience the swap process, but the X6 offers the same easy-replacement design as the X5, with the replacement kit including all the tools you need to quickly remove the old lens, clean up any debris and attach a new one.

Alongside the usual micro SD card slot, the X6 packs 47GB of usable built-in storage — enough for around 50 minutes of 8K/30fps footage, and a useful safety net if you forget a card or fill one up mid-session. Getting footage off the camera is quick, too: Wi-Fi 6.0 supports wireless transfers of up to 100MB/s, while wired USB 3.0 hits 450MB/s. Both speeds are worth having, because as I found out during testing, the X6's video files get enormous very quickly (more on that in the Performance section).

Insta 360 claims 140 minutes of 8K/30fps recording; I got 136 minutes in testing

On-device AI Director auto-edits your day's footage overnight

The mobile app was prone to crashing during testing, especially on older phones

The X6's 2600m Ah Xtreme battery is rated for 140 minutes of continuous 8K/30fps recording, a claimed 51% improvement over the X5. I put that figure to the test, and got 136 minutes before the battery gave out, so Insta 360's number holds up well in practice. I also didn't experience any overheating during that stretch, which is impressive given that I was testing through an unusually hot UK summer. Charging is fast, too: Insta 360 claims 0 to 80% in 24 minutes with a fast charger, and I found those figures accurate.

Insta 360 positions the X6 as "three cameras in one": a 360 camera, a single-lens action cam, and a subject-tracking gimbal-style vlogging camera. In practice, I gravitated almost entirely toward the 360 mode. The X6's size and shape make it a bit unwieldy for hardcore action-camera use compared to something like a Go Pro Hero or Insta 360's own Ace Pro 2, so I'd treat that mode as a useful fallback rather than a primary draw. The vlogging mode fares better: Insta Frame 2.0 does a genuinely good job of replicating a gimbal-mounted vlogging camera, keeping a chosen subject framed, horizon-levelled and stabilized regardless of how the X6 itself is positioned. You select your subject with a simple double-tap on the screen.

The Insta 360 X6 flanked by its main competitors, the DJI Osmo 360 and Go Pro Max 2. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

On the color and post-production side, the X6 supports the 10-bit I-Log flat profile, and — significantly for demanding creators — that 10-bit depth now carries across every shooting mode, including the Pure Video low-light mode, which wasn't the case on the X5. It's also the first 360 camera with native in-camera Dolby Vision. Perhaps the biggest software win here is native Da Vinci Resolve compatibility, a first for a 360 camera — though this requires Resolve 22, which wasn't available at the time of testing, so I wasn't able to try it pre-launch. As a Resolve user myself, I'll be checking this out as soon as it lands.

The headline software feature is AI Director, an on-device auto-editing system clearly designed around a simple pitch: shoot footage throughout the day, plug the X6 in to charge overnight, and wake up to a finished (but still adjustable) vlog ready to watch in the app.

Unfortunately, my experience with the Insta 360 app itself was rocky. I tested beta versions on both an i Phone 13 and a One Plus Pad Android tablet, and on the i Phone the app struggled badly, crashing repeatedly during anything demanding — including simply exporting an edited video. This isn't a new problem in my experience reviewing Insta 360 cameras, but it was pronounced here; Insta 360's own reviewer notes suggest an i Phone 15 is the oldest model considered capable of running the app properly, which is a tough ask given that not everyone upgrades their phone every couple of years.

The Insta 360 X6 next to its predecessor, the 2025-launched X5. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The app fared somewhat better on the One Plus Pad, letting me test AI-assisted editing of individual clips, though longer clips took a while to process. Results were generally solid, if not something I'd say beats a hand-edited video. I wasn't able to test the app's other AI editing trick — stitching together multiple shorter clips automatically, complete with transitions and music — on either device: it crashed the i Phone app outright, and simply refused to let me add clips to the editor on Android.

One other app frustration: there's no way to switch between color profiles remotely. If you want to shoot in I-Log or Dolby Vision rather than the standard profile, you have to make that change on the camera itself, which is annoying if, say, the X6 is mounted on a pole on top of your car, as it was during part of my testing.

The desktop Insta 360 Studio app, run on my M2 Mac Book Air, offered a much more stable experience, though it lacks the AI auto-editing tools found on mobile. What it does offer is more precise manual editing on a larger screen, which I personally find easier to work with regardless of stability. I was able to trim, reframe and export finished clips directly from the X6 to my SSD without needing to move the original files off the camera first, which was a lifesaver given the next issue.

That issue is file size: 8K/30fps footage eats through roughly 1GB of storage per minute, so the X6's 47GB of built-in storage fills up fast, and I ran into storage problems fitting longer clips onto both my phone and my laptop. Factoring in the mobile app's instability — which I do expect to be much improved after launch — I found it far easier to manage and trim footage using the desktop app instead.

Audio is handled by a new 360-degree windproof mic array that "actively filters" wind noise, plus a dedicated hidden mic built specifically for motorcycle riders, designed to cut wind further and clarify engine sound — a niche inclusion, but I suppose a welcome one if it applies to you.

I tested the built-in wind filter, and it works, up to a point: noise was noticeably reduced compared with other modes, but not eliminated. For that, I'd recommend pairing the X6 with Insta 360's Mic Pro, which I also tested alongside the camera — it essentially eliminates wind noise altogether, and offers the best noise-cancelling I've experienced from a small wireless mic.

Dual 1/1.1-inch sensors, up from the X5's 1/1.28-inch pair

10-bit available across all video modes, including the Pure Video low-light mode

The X6's biggest hardware change is its new dual 1/1.1-inch square sensors, up from the 1/1.28-inch sensors in the X5; that's 33% more sensor area, and around four times the light intake per frame versus its predecessor. That upgrade also brings a higher frame-rate ceiling in 360 mode, with 8K now available at up to 50fps, versus the X5's 30fps cap. Photo resolution climbs too, topping out at 120MP for 360 shots and 42MP in flat mode.

In good lighting, the difference between X5 and X6 footage is there, but it's incremental rather than transformative. I do have to mention Adaptive Tone 2.0 though, which captures two exposures per frame for noticeably better handling of bright skies and high-contrast scenes than I've seen from Insta 360 before. I would have previously said the Go Pro Max 2 offered the best 360 image quality in good lighting, but now I think the X6 might have equalled or possibly even bettered it.

It's after dark that the X6 really separates itself from the pack, though. The Pure Video low-light mode was already a strength of the X5, but the combination of the larger sensors and 10-bit color now being supported across every shooting mode — including Pure Video itself — pushes noise levels down further still. Neither the DJI Osmo 360's Super Night mode nor the Go Pro Max 2's standard mode (which lacks a dedicated low-light option entirely) come close. I can comfortably say the X6 is the best 360 camera for low-light shooting currently available.

So that's daylight footage that rivals the sharpest in the category, and the best low-light performance by a mile. The X6 is the first small 360 camera I've tested that doesn't force you to accept a trade-off between the two. Where I'd previously have pointed daylight shooters toward the Max 2, and night owls toward the X5, the X6 simply offers the best all-round image quality on the market, in any light.

The priciest small 360 camera on the market, and substantially more expensive than the X5 was at launch.

The priciest small 360 camera on the market, and substantially more expensive than the X5 was at launch.

Class-leading waterproofing and a bigger, sharper screen, with tough, easily replaceable lenses.

Class-leading waterproofing and a bigger, sharper screen, with tough, easily replaceable lenses.

Excellent battery life and useful pro-level software additions, let down by an unstable mobile app.

Excellent battery life and useful pro-level software additions, let down by an unstable mobile app.

Video quality that leads the category in both daylight sharpness and low-light performance.

Video quality that leads the category in both daylight sharpness and low-light performance.

You want the best 360 camera image quality around The X6 delivers the sharpest, cleanest footage overall of any small 360 camera I've tested — no more choosing between daylight sharpness and low-light performance.

You need serious underwater durability IP68-rated and waterproof to 20m without a case, or 60m with Insta 360's official dive housing, the X6 comfortably out-swims both the DJI Osmo 360 and Go Pro Max 2.

You're a demanding video creator 10-bit color across every shooting mode, native Dolby Vision, and forthcoming native Da Vinci Resolve support make the X6 suited to serious post-production work.

You're on a budget At

You own an older phone Insta 360's guidance recommends an i Phone 15 or newer to get a stable experience from the mobile app. I found it crashed repeatedly on my i Phone 13, particularly when editing or exporting footage.

You want flawless software out of the box Between the app's instability and its inability to switch color profiles remotely, the X6's hardware is currently running ahead of its software. This should improve post-launch, but it's worth going in with realistic expectations.

DJI's debut 360 camera undercuts the X6 significantly while still delivering excellent image quality and a solid companion app experience. It lacks user-replaceable lenses, and DJI doesn't recommend it for underwater use, so it's a better fit for budget-conscious buyers who won't push the X6's headline strengths.

The Max 2's true 8K daylight sharpness once made it the class leader for shooting in good light, and it remains a strong, more affordable option if you mostly shoot outdoors and don't need pristine low-light performance. Its lack of a dedicated night mode is a real limitation next to the X6, though, and its 5m waterproof rating is far behind.

I tested a full production unit (with beta firmware and software) for three weeks

I shot day and night footage during a hot English summer

I tested the X6 with and without Insta 360's Mic Pro wireless microphone

I tested the Insta 360 X6 for three weeks, shooting throughout an unusually hot English summer to see how it handled sustained use in warm conditions. I recorded both day and night footage across a range of situations, mounting the camera on the supplied selfie stick for on-foot and cycling shots, and on a Small Rig suction cup mount for car-mounted clips.

I tested audio both with the X6's built-in mics and paired with Insta 360's Mic Pro wireless microphone, to compare the camera's own wind reduction against a dedicated external solution.

For editing, I reframed and trimmed footage using the Insta 360 Studio desktop app before exporting for final edits and color grading in Da Vinci Resolve.

Sam has been writing about tech and digital culture for over 20 years, starting off in video games journalism before branching out into the wonderful worlds of consumer electronics, streaming entertainment and photography. Over the years he has written for Wired, Stuff, GQ, T3, Trusted Reviews and PC Zone, and now lives on the Kent coast in the UK – the ideal place for a camera reviewer to ply their trade.

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Key Takeaways

• News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

• Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

• Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards

• I test 360 cameras for a living and the new Insta 360 X6 is my favorite  — but the price is hard to swallow

• The Insta 360 X6 confidently delivers 360 video that's excellent day or night — but that all-round quality comes at a steep price, and its companion app needs work