TechCamerasGoPro & Action CamerasInsta360 X4 vs Insta360 X3: worth the upgrade?We tested the latest and greatest 360° action camera from Insta360 to see how it stacks up against its predecessorWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechCamerasGoPro & Action CamerasInsta360 X4 vs Insta360 X3: worth the upgrade?We tested the latest and greatest 360° action camera from Insta360 to see how it stacks up against its predecessorWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We tested the latest and greatest 360° action camera from Insta360 to see how it stacks up against its predecessor
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityFeaturesVerdict
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityFeaturesVerdict
With the launch of the Insta360 X4, the brand further solidified its dominance in the 360° action camera market. But is the new action camera good enough to warrant an upgrade? We compared the Insta360 X4 to the Insta360 X3 to find out.
Launched in September 2022, theInsta360 X3became the company’s best-selling action camera, with over one million units sold since its release. It’s still one of thebest action camerason the market today, which is a testament to the device’s design and build quality.
That said, 18 months is a long time in action camera circles. Insta360 knows this, which is why it released the successor to the X3, theInsta360 X4. The new model retains some of the key features and characteristics of the predecessor but offers higher resolution and better frame rates in most shooting modes.
Are the updates enough, though, to entice people to upgrade? Which model should people who have never tried 360-degree action cameras choose? It’s time to put the two cameras to the test to determine who wins the battle of the best 360° action cameras.
Price and availability
The Insta360 X3 was launched in September 2022 for a recommended retail price of $449/ £459 / AU$799. Just recently, the brandpermanently dropped the priceof the camera to $399.99/ £408.99/ AU$711.99, probably in anticipation of the launch of the successor.
The Insta360 X4 was launched in April 2024 and is available for $499.99. As expected, the price has increased, although it’s only around 10% compared to the original retail price of the X3. Currently, though, you’d have to pay a lot more for the new model.
Both are available via theInsta360 websiteand third-party retailers.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Winner:With the recent price drop, the Insta360 X3 is definitely more affordable than the X4 and offers a ton of useful features for content creators.
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 dealsInsta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 dealsInsta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 dealsInsta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 deals
Insta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X3
$379.99View
$379.99
$379.99
See all prices
Insta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X4
Insta360 X4
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Specifications
Swipe to scroll horizontallyInsta360 X4 vs Insta360 X3: quick comparisonHeader Cell - Column 0Insta360 X4Insta360 X3Max 360 video resolution8k @ 30fps5.7k @ 30fpsMax 360 slow motion4k @ 100fps3k @ 100fpsMax photo resolution72MP72MPMax timelapse resolution11k8kMax timeshift resolution8k5.7kMax bullet time resolution5.7k @120fps and 3k @ 240fps4k @ 120fps and 3k @ 180 fpsBattery capacity2,290 mAh1,800 mAhRun time135 mins81 minsGesture controlyesnoTouchscreen2.5"2.29"Weight203g180hDimensions46 x 123.6 x 37.6 mm46 x 114.0 x 33.1 mm
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Insta360 X4 vs Insta360 X3: quick comparisonHeader Cell - Column 0Insta360 X4Insta360 X3Max 360 video resolution8k @ 30fps5.7k @ 30fpsMax 360 slow motion4k @ 100fps3k @ 100fpsMax photo resolution72MP72MPMax timelapse resolution11k8kMax timeshift resolution8k5.7kMax bullet time resolution5.7k @120fps and 3k @ 240fps4k @ 120fps and 3k @ 180 fpsBattery capacity2,290 mAh1,800 mAhRun time135 mins81 minsGesture controlyesnoTouchscreen2.5"2.29"Weight203g180hDimensions46 x 123.6 x 37.6 mm46 x 114.0 x 33.1 mm
Design and build quality
The X4 (left) is taller and heavier than the X3 (left)(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The X4 (left) is taller and heavier than the X3 (left)
The X4 (left) is taller and heavier than the X3 (left)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The maximum aperture and the 35mm equivalent focal length stayed the same (f1.9 and 6.7mm, respectively), so we can only assume the extra weight and volume is to house the larger battery and the (supposedly) more sophisticated electronic layout inside.
The battery upgrade is certainly noticeable. The capacity went from 1,800 mAh to a whopping 2,290 mAh, enabling the Insta360 X4 to have a 67% longer runtime than its predecessor. To put a label on it, that gets you 135 minutes of recording time (vs. 81 minutes on the X3).
One benefit of the larger body is that it can house a larger touchscreen. The Insta360 X4 has a 2.5" Corning Gorilla Glass panel, while the X3 only sported a tempered glass lens on the front.
The button layout is similar but not identical – the quick action button is now not raised that much. One noticeable difference is the patterned back panel on the Insta360 X4. The X3 had a smooth plastic cover, while the X4 has grooves, probably to help keep the camera cooler during longer shots (groovy texture = more surface area to cool).
Both cameras are waterproof to 33ft (approx. 10 metres) and capable of shooting underwater.
Finally, an accessory upgrade: the Insta360 now comes with lens guards included in the box. You can also purchase a premium lens guard for a little extra, but it’s nice that you get a pair for ‘free’ with the new camera.
Winner:tie. The Insta360 X3 is smaller and lighter, but the X4 has a longer battery life, larger and more resilient touchscreen and comes with extras included in the price.
Features
The X4 (left) is thicker than the X3 (right)(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The X4 (left) is thicker than the X3 (right)
The X4 (left) is thicker than the X3 (right)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Insta360 X4 might be bulkier, but it improved all the features of the X3. Well, the software feature set is similar to the predecessor’s, but the maximum resolution and frame rates have all been upped in the new iteration.
The maximum 360° video resolution on the X4 went up to 8k @ 30fps, and you can also shoot 5.7k @ 60fps and 4k videos at a ridiculous 100fps. The X3 could ‘only’ do 5.7k @ 30fps and 3k @ 100fps, which are nothing to frown upon, but not quite the same level as the X4.
Max photo resolution stayed the same, but the X4 can now process PureShot photos on the camera without the Insta360 app.
Me Mode, where the camera tracks you automatically, has been upgraded slightly. Settings in the maximum resolution stayed the same (4k @ 30fps), but on the X4, you can now shoot in 1080p @ 120fps (X3 could only do 60fps).
The maximum resolution in Timelapse mode went from 8k to 11k. Timeshift mode now has a maximum of 8k resolution, too.
The X4 (left) has a larger and tougher touchscreen display than the X3 (right)(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The X4 (left) has a larger and tougher touchscreen display than the X3 (right)
The X4 (left) has a larger and tougher touchscreen display than the X3 (right)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Single lens mode, which turns the Insta360 X3 into a mode traditional action camera, can now shoot in 4k @ 60fps with a 170-degree field of view. The X3 could only go up to 4k @ 30fps, so with the new camera, you get smoother motion and the ability to slow down footage without compromising frame rate.
And since the X4 has a 360° field of view, you can signal either hand sign from any angle, and the camera will recognise it. This opens up a whole host of creative opportunities for taking photos.
Winner:there might not be a ton of new shooting modes (do we need any more?), but there is no denying that the Insta360 X4 is a superior camera to the X3 when it comes to features.
Verdict
Both cameras have the same optical unit(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Both cameras have the same optical unit
Both cameras have the same optical unit
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Insta360 X4 vs Insta360 X3: is it worth the upgrade?
The new camera has definitely upped the game and offers higher resolutions and framerates in most shooting modes. Battery life has also been extended, and the gesture control feature is an exciting new addition to the X line.
That said, the resolution and the framerate of the X3 are more than enough for most content creators working on platforms such as YouTube and Instagram/TikTok. Although shooting in 8k and slo-mo in 5.7k is a fantastic proposition, most streaming platforms will only be able to handle 4k @ 60fps, making the improved specs of the X4 almost redundant.
For now, anyway! Getting the Insta360 X4 means you can future-proof your content creation process. Thanks to a faster internet connection, a time will come (very soon) when people will stream higher-resolution content. When that happens, 8k will quickly become the norm, with 4k footage looking pretty poor in comparison.
We can certainly envision a future where the Insta360 X4 is just as popular as its predecessor. It’s a very competent action camera, albeit a bit overpowered at the moment.
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 dealsInsta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 dealsInsta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 dealsInsta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 deals
Insta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all pricesInsta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X3$379.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X3
Insta360 X3
$379.99View
$379.99
$379.99
See all prices
Insta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X4$499.99ViewSee all prices
Insta360 X4
Insta360 X4
$499.99View
$499.99
$499.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
How to watch the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct and what to expectWe should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
We should get a deep dive and more details on the Switch 2 in April
A fitness expert says you only need this three minute mobility routine to improve your posture – so I tried itWas three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?
Was three minutes really enough to ease stiffness in my shoulders, neck and hips?
Insta360 Link 2 review: a dream webcam for power usersA long list of features, a neat design, and crystal clear audio and video
A long list of features, a neat design, and crystal clear audio and video
Insta360 GO 3S vs Insta360 GO 3: worth the upgrade?We tested the latest and greatest tiny action camera from Insta360 to see how it stacks up against its predecessor
We tested the latest and greatest tiny action camera from Insta360 to see how it stacks up against its predecessor
Insta360 X4 review: futureproof your content creationInsta360’s new action camera lets you step into the future of online filmmaking
Insta360’s new action camera lets you step into the future of online filmmaking
Insta360 permanently drops the price of its best 360° action cameraFancy some money off the excellent Insta360 X3? Now is the time to get one.
Fancy some money off the excellent Insta360 X3? Now is the time to get one.
Insta360’s GoPro rival action camera is now available at AppleNew Apple-specific bundle includes all accessories you might need to create stunning content
New Apple-specific bundle includes all accessories you might need to create stunning content
Insta360 Ace Pro suddenly looks more appealing thanks to latest software updateWebcam Mode support, Clarity Zoom in more shooting modes, Active HDR toggle and more coming to the Ace Pro
Webcam Mode support, Clarity Zoom in more shooting modes, Active HDR toggle and more coming to the Ace Pro
You can now see Garmin stats on your Insta360 action cam footage – here’s howInsta360 becomes the first action camera brand to integrate with Garmin devices
Insta360 becomes the first action camera brand to integrate with Garmin devices
GoPro Hero 12 Black vs Insta360 Ace Pro: battle of the top-tier action camerasWe pit GoPro’s best action cam against Insta360’s premium Ace Pro – which comes out top?
We pit GoPro’s best action cam against Insta360’s premium Ace Pro – which comes out top?
