Insta360 X4 Air: New Ultralight 8K 360 Camera – How Does it Compare?

Weighing just 165 grams / 5.82 oz, the new Insta360 X4 Air is the company's lightest-ever 8K 360 camera, and features dual 1/1.8-inch sensors and advanced image processing in a sleek, travel-friendly body. How does it compare to the X4 and the X5?

Not long, just days in fact, after we published our detailed look at the best 360-degree cameras of 2025, we heard news that Insta360 was prepping for the launch of a slimmed down version of its X4. It's a bit early to say whether it joins them, but it presents an intriguing choice for users: previous gen technology compared to the current X5 but in a smaller, lighter form factor and with enough tweaks over the original X4 to be interesting.

Sharper, Smarter, Smoother

Unlike the iPhone 17 Air which throws away a load of useful functionality to shrink down the form factor, by stepping back a generation Insta360 has managed to make the X4 Air fairly significantly better than the plain X4.

Larger 1/1.8-inch sensors deliver the subjective measurement of crisper 8K footage, alongside the objective measurement of a 134% increase in pixel area per frame vs. X4. Insta360 says that one of the biggest leaps comes from the AdaptiveTone intelligent exposure algorithm. This aims to analyze light from both lenses independently to balance brightness and color across the full 360 image, protecting skies and shadow detail without heavy color grading.

Active HDR is now available up to 8K30fps to boost dynamic range in realtime, while Portrait Mode automatically detects faces and adjusting brightness and color to deliver smooth, natural skin tones without heavy editing. And when the light fades, the idea is that enhanced algorithms and noise reduction keep night shots clean and detailed.

Durability gets an upgrade, too. The X4 Air features user-replaceable lenses, a concept migrated over from the X5, with an ultra-hard optical coating that doubles drop resistance compared to X4. Lenses "swap in seconds" if scratched, while optional lens guards add protection without glare. It's also waterproof to 49 feet (15 meters), a boost over the X4's 33 ft and 10 metres.

Smart Controls

In short, there are plenty. Twist to Shoot lets you start or stop recording with a twist of the selfie stick. Gesture Control recognizes quick hand signals for taking photos or videos. And with Voice Control, you can command the camera hands-free so you never have to break focus or stop the action.

The Insta360 app turns raw 360 footage into polished clips using AI-powered tools like Auto Edit, FlashCut, and AI Frame, which automatically identify highlights, apply transitions, and sync footage to music. Preset Perspectives let creators export perfectly framed videos in seconds, with no manual reframing required.

And the X4 Air also integrates seamlessly with brands like Apple, Garmin, and HUAWEI, syncing location, movement, and performance data directly into your videos.

Necessary Compromises

All in all, the X4 Air is 10 mm (0.39 in) shorter than the original X4 and 38 grams (1.34 oz) lighter. That height reduction does give it a far more compact silhouette, and while it is essentially the same width and depth as the original, the roughly 10% volume reduction you get as a result does enhance mounting options.

There has to be a penalty for this at some point, and it seems chiefly to be with the battery. A 2010 mAh battery gives you an official max runtime of around 88 minutes when recording 8K30fps, whereas the X4 would top out at 135 minutes. That said, the X4 figure given there is for 5.7K30fps, and real world runtime for 8K30fps on the X4 actually seems to be below that of the X4 Air according to some user data. So, maybe it's not that much of a compromise after all.

Pricing and Availability

The Insta360 X4 Air is available now in Graphite Black and Arctic White from store.insta360.com, Amazon, and select retailers, with US and Canada availability coming soon. The Standard Bundle retails for US$399, while the Starter Bundle, including a 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, Lens Cap, and extra Battery, is priced at US$439. Both include a complimentary one-year Insta360+ subscription for a limited time.

Comparison with the X5

If all this is making it seem like Insta360 have produced a camera with similar specs to the X5 but $150 cheaper, you would not be too wrong. One of the signs of a maturing market is that niches start to get filled up. While it might seem that Insta360 is cannibalising its X5 sales with the new camera, that has to be seen in the context of a) the competition in the shape of the GoPro Max 2 and the DJI Osmo 360 and b) a definite difference in performance.

Simply put, the X4 Air is aimed at everyday 360-capture and travel-friendly workflows, while the X5 will give you pro-grade performance, especially in low light or extended recording sessions.

Here's a quick comparison chart.