Insta360 has unveiled a major redesign of its popular compact action camera. The new model, called the GO Ultra, moves away from the company’s familiar pill-shaped design and introduces several key upgrades, including a larger battery and the addition of a memory card slot.
Announced this week, the Insta360 GO Ultra replaces the previous Go 3S model. The most obvious change is its new look. The camera is now a rounded square that measures 1.8 inches on each side, a shift from the longer, narrower shape of earlier models. The lens is also positioned off to the side.
The camera is available for purchase now directly from Insta360 and on Amazon. It is priced at $449.99(~Php25,600), which is $50 more than the Go 3S was at launch. It comes in two colors: midnight black and arctic white. A Creator Bundle is also available for $499.99(~Php28,500) and includes extra accessories like a mini tripod and a quick release mount.
Despite the new shape making it slightly heavier at almost 14 grams more than the Go 3S, the GO Ultra remains a very small and lightweight camera, especially when compared to bulkier options from competitors like DJI.
The upgrades are more than just cosmetic. The Insta360 GO Ultra features a new, larger image sensor that is significantly bigger than the one in the Go 3S. This, combined with a new ambient light sensor, is designed to capture much better video in low-light conditions.
- Insta360 X5 Satin White Limited Edition launched
- Insta360 Flow 2 mobile gimbal now in the Philippines
For video quality, the camera can record at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, which is double the frame rate of its predecessor. It also includes an “Active HDR” mode for 4K video at 30fps. For slow-motion footage, it can shoot 1080p video at 240 frames per second.
A major practical improvement on the Insta360 GO Ultra is the switch to a microSD card slot, which supports cards up to 2TB. This means users are no longer limited to the camera’s built-in storage and can easily swap cards for more recording space. The camera is also waterproof down to 33 feet.
The new square design houses a much larger 500mAh battery. Insta360 says it can last for up to 70 minutes of recording on its own. When used with its optional screen-equipped Action Pod accessory, that battery life extends to 200 minutes, though that is when filming at a lower 1080p resolution with the screen turned off. Recording at the highest 4K/60fps setting will use the battery more quickly.
The camera continues to feature a strong magnetic mounting system. It comes with an upgraded magnetic pendant for chest-mounted shots and even includes a special hat clip designed for toddlers. Because the back of the camera itself is magnetic, it can stick directly to any metal surface.
For now, the Insta360 GO Ultra is available in select markets, but Insta360 has plans to make it available in other regions at a later date. Would you buy this new product once it becomes available to the Philippines?