Hohem's iSteady V3 Ultra Sets a New Bar for Folding Gimbals

Building on the success of last year's Hohem iSteady V3, the new iSteady V3 Ultra adds many impressive new features to make it a class-leading gimbal, and still available for under $200.

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Following the success of the original Hohem iSteady V3, the newly released iSteady V3 Ultra brings on-device AI tracking to the fore at a time when most of its rivals find themselves still reliant on companion apps. It does this by including a self-contained, multimodal tracker already trained on millions of scenes inside its chassis. 

But there's more to it than just that. Packed with advanced AI features and clever design touches, the iSteady V3U really throws down the gauntlet to competitors such as DJI’s Osmo Mobile 7P.

Advanced AI Tracking

The 2MP tracking camera enables it to automatically track not just people, like say the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P (which has to use an app even for that), but expands the repertoire to include pets, vehicles, and even inanimate objects up to seven metres away, all without relying on the smartphone’s own processor. 

It’s not just about what you can track, but how well you can do it too. The iSteady V3 Ultra utilizes a 2MP tracking camera, which is double what competitors typically offer. This is paired with an AI algorithm which leans into all that training to provide smoother, smarter tracking, even in hard-to-follow scenarios like running, skating, or when the subject is briefly obscured. It's also worth pointing out that it enables total 360° pan tracking and this freedom enables you to capture fluid movement in any scenario. The  OM7P only manages 309°.

It's simple to operate. A quick double-tap on its touchscreen lets you select a target, delivering tracking flexibility with any app and on any phone—whether Android or iOS. By contrast, DJI OM7P’s advanced object tracking is locked behind its proprietary software, and is notably less flexible in cross-app scenarios.

Universal App Freedom: AI for Any Platform

This is all worth talking about a bit more. A common pain point for many creators is being locked into a single camera or app ecosystem just to access AI tracking. The V3 Ultra turns this on its head. Its AI module and tracking work with absolutely any app you can think of, such as Instagram, TikTok, Zoom, or your default camera. You just don't find this flexibility elsewhere. The DJI OM7P, for instance, limits object tracking to its Mimo app, and if you’re using another app, you’re likely stuck with basic people tracking only.

An Industry-First Touchscreen Remote 

The V3 Ultra comes with a detachable, color touchscreen remote for the ultimate in vlog-friendly shooting. This is a real breakthrough. Not only can you see a live camera feed from up to 10m away, but you get full control of framing, gimbal functions, and quick settings. No more fumbling for physical buttons. This lets you perfectly frame shots with your phone’s rear camera (for best quality selfies) or enjoy seamless remote operation for group and solo work. This is an impressively useful feature on its own, and even more so at this price point. 

It also operates as a remote lighting control, allowing you to control the unique 3-color fill light from wherever you're situated and dial in high-brightness in either cool, warm, and neutral tones, as well as providing smooth dimming.

Compact and Travel-Ready

Frequent shooters will appreciate how the iSteady V3 Ultra folds down to just 98×44×160mm (3.86x1.73x6.3 inches) fitting easily in most small bags or pockets. Its all-in-one, foldable design remains stable, unlike, for example, the less secure folding of the OM7P. That’s a subtle but mightily useful real-world advantage you’ll feel whenever you’re on the move.

Power and Expansion: Shooting Without Limits

Stamina and flexibility are key attributes too. The V3 Ultra supports up to 400g / 0.88 lb payloads and phones up to 98mm / 3.86 inches wide ( beating DJI OM7P’s lower capacity and restricted width. You also get a robust 9-hour battery, built-in extension pole for group shots or creative angles, three-color built-in fill light with remote dimming, and a rugged design built for travel and real-day use.

That battery life drops to a more realistic 4–5 hours when using both tracking and fill lights, but that's still impressive. For those looking to get back out and shooting again it recharges to full in just 2.5 hours. The weight of the gimbal itself is 428 grams / 15.1 oz, balancing portability with enough payload capacity for most flagship phones and making sure no-one is going to get physically tired using the unit for extended periods. It's also worth pointing out that the stabilization system has been tweaked from the base spec V3 for much smoother results under movement.

No Compromises Required

Features such as live-feed preview, smart gesture controls, and the AI’s ability to adjust framing on the fly build on the feature set introduced with the original V4, but where Hohem claims clear distance from its rivals with the V3 Ultra is in the breadth of its tracking repertoire and that cross-platform support. Its competitors tend to restrict advanced tracking to people, or to just the latest iPhones and specific apps. They lock people in to a specific ecosystem essentially, which feels very much like an old-fashioned approach to what should be exciting new capabilities.

The V3 Ultra has been built to give equal footing to Android and iOS users and let users work with the apps they feel most comfortable with. With clever solutions across the board, like remote live preview and  onboard AI processing, the V3 Ultra represents a bold new standard for everyday content creators and ambitious smartphone shooters. In a head-to-head with units such as the DJI OM7P, the iSteady V3 Ultra simply does more and does them with fewer constraints.

Pricing and Availability

The iSteady V3 Ultra is available as of today (September 3) for $169 or local equivalent from Hohem's various regional online stores or from Amazon. The company says that the V3U will also be available online on BestBuy on September 14, and, of course,  the V3 and the even higher specced M7 can be purchased from Hohem at any time. 

The company is also running a special event on its website. Free registration gives visitors a chance to review the V3U. Head here for more details.