Insta360 X4 Review After 6 Months: Is This 8K 360 Camera Worth Your Money?

Six months ago, the Insta360 X4 landed, promising to redefine the action camera world with a headline feature: 8K video. The hype was immediate, but the real question is, does it hold up after the initial excitement fades? Is this powerful 8K 360 camera just a spec bump, or is it a true game-changer for creators? This in-depth Insta360 X4 review is born from six months of intensive, real-world testing. We’ve pushed it to its limits while hiking, cycling, and vlogging to answer the one question on your mind: is the Insta360 X4 worth your hard-earned money? We’ll dive into everything — from its groundbreaking 8K video quality and rock-solid stabilization to its battery endurance and overall durability. If you’re considering this camera, this long-term Insta360 X4 review will give you the definitive verdict. We’re moving beyond the spec sheet to provide an honest look at what it’s like to live with and create with this impressive piece of technology, which many are calling the best 8K 360 camera available today. This comprehensive Insta360 X4 review will cover all the essential details.

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Unboxing and First Impressions: Still Impressive?

Even six months later, the initial impression of the Insta360 X4’s quality holds true. From the moment you unbox it, the camera feels like a premium, robust device. The grippy, rubberized texture provides a secure hold, which is essential for an action camera. One of the most significant day-to-day improvements is the massive 2.5-inch touchscreen, protected by tough Corning Gorilla Glass. It’s bright, responsive, and makes navigating menus a breeze compared to older models. Another huge win in this Insta360 X4 review is the new removable lens guards. They twist on and off easily, offering convenient protection without the clumsiness of the old sticky guards. Yes, the X4 is slightly larger and heavier than the X3, but the reason is a welcome one: it houses a much larger battery and a superior thermal management system, two critical upgrades for a high-performance 8K 360 camera. This thoughtful design is a key point in our Insta360 X4 review, showing that the changes are practical, not just cosmetic. The build quality justifies its position as a leading 8K 360 camera.

Core Feature Deep Dive: The 6-Month Performance Test

After half a year of use, the core features of the Insta360 X4 have been thoroughly put to the test. This section of our Insta360 X4 review breaks down how the camera’s most important functions perform in the real world, far from a controlled studio environment.

8K Video Quality: More Than Just a Number?

The headline feature is, of course, 8K/30fps video, and it’s genuinely transformative. In good lighting, the level of detail is simply stunning. This isn’t just about watching videos on an 8K screen; the real magic of this 8K 360 camera is the freedom it gives you in post-production. The ability to “reframe” — that is, to pan, tilt, and zoom into your 360-degree footage to create a traditional flat video — is where 8K shines. Over the past six months, I’ve filmed travel vlogs where I could pull out a wide shot and a tight zoom on a landmark from the same clip, all without a noticeable loss in quality. For action sports, it means never missing the shot because you can re-aim the camera after the fact. Compared to the X3’s 5.7K, the 8K upgrade is a tangible leap. The reframed 1080p exports are visibly sharper and cleaner, making this a standout point in any Insta360 X4 review. The power of this 8K 360 camera is undeniable.

FlowState Stabilization & 360 Horizon Lock

Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization has always been impressive, and on the X4, it’s flawless. I’ve mounted this camera to my mountain bike handlebars and gone down rocky trails, and the resulting footage is incredibly smooth, almost like it was shot with a gimbal. This is where the camera truly earns its “action cam” title. The 360 Horizon Lock is the other half of this magical duo. No matter how you tilt, turn, or even flip the camera, the horizon remains perfectly level. This feature is a killer for creating professional-looking, disorienting-free footage, especially for beginners. It works so well that you simply turn it on and forget about it. This level of stabilization is a major highlight of this Insta360 X4 review.

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Battery Life: Does the 2290mAh Battery Last?

Battery anxiety is a real concern for action camera users, especially with a power-hungry 8K 360 camera. The X4’s larger 2290mAh battery is a significant improvement. Insta360 claims a 135-minute runtime (in 5.7K/30fps mode), and my real-world testing comes close. When shooting continuously in 8K/30fps, I consistently get around 70–75 minutes, which is a very respectable figure and a huge step up from the X3. In the more common 5.7K/60fps mode, I can easily push past 80 minutes. This extended life means less time swapping batteries and more time capturing the action. Charging from empty to full takes about an hour. For any serious user, this improved endurance is a critical factor and a strong positive for this Insta360 X4 review.

Single-Lens Mode and ‘Me Mode’: A Versatile Action Cam?

The X4 isn’t just an 8K 360 camera; it’s also a highly capable traditional action camera. The Single-Lens Mode now shoots in crisp 4K up to 60fps. This is perfect for those moments when you want a straightforward, wide-angle shot without the need to reframe later. The quality is excellent and rivals many dedicated action cams. Furthermore, ‘Me Mode’ is a vlogger’s dream. It automatically keeps you perfectly framed in the shot while making the selfie stick completely invisible. It shoots in up to 4K/30fps and saves you the hassle of reframing, delivering a ready-to-share file straight from the camera. This versatility makes the X4 more than a one-trick pony, a point we must emphasize in this Insta360 X4 review.

The Invisible Selfie Stick Effect: Still Magical?

Yes, it’s still magical. The invisible selfie stick effect remains one of the most captivating features of the Insta360 ecosystem and a cornerstone of this Insta360 X4 review. By using two lenses and clever stitching, the camera completely erases the stick from the final footage, creating impossible-looking third-person and “drone-like” shots. After six months, the novelty hasn’t worn off because the creative potential is limitless. You can capture yourself from incredible angles without needing a camera operator. The standard Insta360 selfie stick has proven to be durable and lightweight over this period. For the best results, a simple tip is to ensure the stick is perfectly aligned with the camera’s body. Also, using a longer stick (like the 3-meter extended edition) can produce truly breathtaking aerial-style shots that will elevate your content. This feature alone makes this 8K 360 camera an incredibly powerful creative tool, and a vital part of any positive Insta360 X4 review. The effect is seamless and continues to impress everyone who sees the footage.

The Insta360 App & Editing Workflow: Simple or Steep Learning Curve?

A powerful camera is nothing without good software, and this is an area where this Insta360 X4 review finds a lot to praise. The Insta360 mobile and desktop apps are impressively user-friendly, successfully bridging the gap between simplicity and power. For beginners, the AI-powered features are a godsend. “Quick Edit” lets you reframe shots simply by moving your phone or using a virtual joystick, making the process intuitive. The “AI Edit” feature goes a step further, analyzing your clips and automatically creating an exciting edit with music.

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For more advanced users, the process of manually setting keyframes to direct the viewer’s attention through the 360 space is straightforward and offers complete creative control. Over the last six months, the workflow has become incredibly streamlined. Transferring files from this 8K 360 camera is fast, especially with the Quick Reader accessory, and the app rarely crashes, even when handling large 8K files. While there’s a slight learning curve to mastering 360 editing, Insta360 has done an outstanding job of making it accessible to everyone. This polished software experience is a critical part of what makes the overall package so compelling, and a key factor in this positive Insta360 X4 review.

Insta360 X4 vs. Insta360 X3: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

This is a crucial question for many, and this part of the Insta360 X4 review aims to provide a clear answer. If you are a current Insta360 X3 owner, should you upgrade? It depends entirely on your needs. The key differences are significant: the X4 offers 8K/30fps and 5.7K/60fps, while the X3 maxes out at 5.7K/30fps. The X4’s battery is much larger, offering about 67% more runtime. The new 5nm AI chip in the X4 provides better performance and thermal management. And finally, the removable lens guards on the X4 are a massive quality-of-life improvement over the X3’s sticky ones.

Here’s the recommendation from this Insta360 X4 review: If you are a professional or serious creator who needs the absolute best image quality for reframing, or if you frequently shoot high-frame-rate action, the upgrade to this superior 8K 360 camera is absolutely worth it. The jump in detail and flexibility is noticeable. For casual users who are happy with the X3’s excellent 5.7K quality and don’t push its battery to the limit, you can probably wait. However, for anyone buying their first 8K 360 camera, the X4 is unquestionably the one to get.

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Conclusion: The Final Verdict After 6 Months

So, after six months of continuous use, is the Insta360 X4 a worthwhile investment? The answer is a resounding yes. This long-term Insta360 X4 review confirms that the camera is more than just its 8K spec sheet. Its combination of stunning image quality, best-in-class stabilization, vastly improved battery life, and a user-friendly editing ecosystem makes it an incredibly powerful and versatile creative tool. The pros — namely the 8K reframing potential, robust build, and practical upgrades like removable lens guards — far outweigh the minor con of its slightly increased size.

This camera isn’t just an iterative update; it’s a significant leap forward for consumer 360 video. The final verdict of this Insta360 X4 review is that it’s a top-tier investment. The ideal user is anyone from a travel vlogger wanting to capture everything, to an action sports enthusiast seeking dynamic shots, to any creative content creator looking to push boundaries. The Insta360 X4 is the new king of consumer 8K 360 camera technology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How waterproof is the Insta360 X4 in real-world use?
The Insta360 X4 has an IPX8 rating, making it waterproof down to 33ft (10m) right out of the box. For the past six months, I’ve used it in heavy rain and for shallow snorkeling without any issues, as long as all the port doors are securely closed. For deeper dives, the optional Invisible Dive Case is a must, allowing you to go down to 164ft (50m). A crucial point to note in this Insta360 X4 review: the standard removable lens guards that come with the camera are not designed for underwater use as they can cause stitching issues. You’ll need the premium ones or the dive case for aquatic adventures.

2. Does the Insta360 X4 overheat when recording in 8K?
This was a major concern, but my experience has been very positive. The new 5nm AI chip and improved thermal design work well. During long recording sessions in 8K on hot days, the camera gets warm to the touch, but I have not experienced a single shutdown due to overheating. This is a massive improvement over previous generations and makes this 8K 360 camera much more reliable for long-form recording.

3. What are the must-have accessories for the Insta360 X4?
Based on six months of use, I’d recommend a few key accessories. First, the Invisible Selfie Stick is non-negotiable — it unlocks the camera’s signature feature. Second, an extra battery or the Fast Charge Hub is essential for all-day shooting. Third, the Premium Lens Guards are a great investment for better protection and underwater use. Finally, the Quick Reader is a fantastic tool for quickly transferring large 8K files to your phone without using Wi-Fi, saving both time and battery life. My Insta360 X4 review process was made much smoother with these additions.