Insta360 isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The Shenzhen-based camera maker — already GoPro’s fiercest rival — has just reported a stunning 92.6% jump in third-quarter revenue from a year earlier, and it’s celebrating the milestone with a brand-new launch: the Insta360 X4 Air, the company’s lightest-ever 8K 360 camera.
Insta360 X4 Air: Lighter, smarter 8K 360 camera for everyone
At just 165 grams, the X4 Air is designed for creators on the go — whether that’s a morning trail run, a city walk, or a spontaneous road trip. Despite the featherlight form, it packs some serious imaging muscle: dual 1/1.8-inch sensors, improved image processing, and Insta360’s Emmy Award-winning 360 technology.
“X4 Air is about capturing life as it happens,” says Max Richer, Insta360’s cofounder and VP of marketing. “It lets creators stay present while capturing everything around them. It’s for anyone who wants to film real life without the weight or complexity — a lighter, simpler way to tell stories.”
That philosophy defines the X4 Air: it’s less about specs for the sake of specs, and more about real-world usability. The upgrades — including a 134% increase in pixel area per frame versus its predecessor — focus on sharper detail, better color, and smoother shooting.
Among the biggest upgrades is AdaptiveTone, Insta360’s new exposure algorithm that analyzes light from both lenses independently. It balances brightness and color across the entire 360° image, preserving skies and shadow details without heavy editing.
Also new is Active HDR, now available up to 8K30fps, which intelligently boosts dynamic range in real time, ensuring lifelike highlights and natural shadows even in tricky lighting. Pair that with Portrait Mode, which auto-detects faces and fine-tunes color and exposure for more natural skin tones, and you get footage that’s both cinematic and authentic, straight out of the camera.
And yes, night shooting gets better, too. Enhanced noise reduction algorithms keep footage clean and detailed, making the X4 Air more reliable long after sunset.
User-replaceable lenses, simpler shooting
Insta360 knows creators don’t just shoot in studios. That’s why the X4 Air features user-replaceable lenses with an ultra-hard optical coating that doubles drop resistance compared to the previous model. If you scratch a lens, you can swap it out in seconds. Optional guards add another layer of protection without glare.
The camera is also waterproof up to 49 feet (15 meters) and includes Insta360’s beloved FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock, so footage stays smooth and perfectly level, even during intense action shots.
X4 Air’s usability upgrades are as impressive as its imaging. New Twist to Shoot controls let you start or stop recording with a quick twist of the selfie stick — no need to reach for tiny buttons.
Gesture Control and Voice Control also make hands-free shooting seamless, especially when the camera is mounted out of reach or when you’re in motion. Whether skiing, cycling, or recording a group moment, you can now stay in the shot instead of behind the controls.
The X4 Air sits neatly between Insta360’s higher-end X5 and its more casual lineup. While the X5 remains the professional powerhouse, X4 Air borrows many of its top features — like 8K 360 capture, replaceable lenses, and a built-in wind guard — and packs them into a travel-ready design.
It’s compatible with most X5 accessories, but designed for creators who want pro results without pro weight. For travelers, vloggers, and anyone who values portability, the X4 Air hits that sweet spot between performance and convenience.
But what truly sets Insta360 apart isn’t just the hardware; it’s the AI-driven software ecosystem. The Insta360 app transforms raw 360 footage into ready-to-share clips using tools like Auto Edit, FlashCut, and AI Frame, which automatically identify highlights, sync music, and frame the best angles.
Plus, the camera integrates with Apple, Garmin, and HUAWEI devices to overlay motion, location, and performance data directly onto videos, perfect for cyclists, athletes, and adventure vloggers.
All this ties into Insta360+, the company’s cloud service, which offers 200GB of free storage for a year with every X4 Air purchase. You can back up footage, edit from any device, and share immersive, interactive videos via link — no extra apps required.
Why Insta360 keeps winning
The X4 Air isn’t launching in isolation. Insta360 is on a hot streak. According to an SCMP report, the company’s September-quarter revenue soared to 2.94 billion yuan ($413 million), while year-to-date sales jumped 67% compared to 2024.
That growth comes despite a dip in net income — down 15.9% to 271.9 million yuan — which Insta360 attributed to heavy investment in chip customization and strategic R&D. Those investments are already paying off: the company has not only expanded its 360 and action camera dominance but is also venturing into drones.
Earlier this year, Insta360 launched Antigravity, an independent drone brand. Its first model, the A1, features dual-lens cameras (top and bottom) and immersive FPV goggles, and is expected to hit global markets by January 2026. Insta360 also confirmed it’s developing another drone under its own brand, signaling it’s gearing up to challenge DJI on its home turf.
Founded in 2015 and now traded as Arashi Vision on Shanghai’s Star Market, Insta360 went public in June and saw its shares surge 285% on debut. Investors are betting big that Insta360’s blend of bold innovation and AI-driven design will keep reshaping the camera — and now drone — industry.
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