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For several years, Insta360 dominated the niche market of miniature action cameras. If you were looking for a thumb-sized camera that could attach anywhere with magnets, the GO series was the obvious choice.
However, the brand didn’t wait for its small monopoly to be threatened before updating its formula. To succeed the GO 3S of 2024, Insta360 introduced the GO Ultra in 2025. There’s a significant change: the brand has moved away from small sensors of the past to incorporate a larger 1/1.28-inch sensor, and now offers 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.
Just then, the market was shaken up a few months after the release of the GO Ultra when DJI entered the fray by unveiling its Osmo Nano. For the first time in its history, Insta360’s pill-shaped format faced direct competition with an equally impressive spec sheet.
I have used the Insta360 GO Ultra for months, whether on a safari in Kenya, during my trail runs in Chamonix, or during my hikes in Majorca. I also used it alongside the DJI Osmo Nano and my comparisons are crystal clear. Here is my complete review and opinion on the Insta360 GO Ultra.
Insta360 Go Ultra Technical Details
This review was conducted with an Insta360 GO Ultra provided by Insta360.
Insta360 Go UltraDesign: Ending the Pill-Shaped Era
First, let’s discuss the format, as this is where the interest of this range lies. Unlike a standard action camera (like the GoPro Hero 13 Black or DJI Osmo Action 6) which weighs around 145-150 grams and requires proper mounts, the Insta360 GO cameras are designed as wearable gadgets.
« I am much more creative with the flexibility of installation offered by the GO Ultra. »
We move away from pure action and approach vlogging since the idea is to stick the camera everywhere and easily:
- on your cap with a magnetic mount;
- on your t-shirt with a magnetic pendant slipped under the fabric;
- on any metallic surface (urban pole, fridge, car structure…).
The concept is simple: film in the first person while keeping your hands free or change viewing angles, all without having 17 different accessories that all require laborious setups — which would discourage more than one.
And honestly, having used action cameras for a good ten years, I must admit that I am much more creative with the flexibility of installation offered by the GO Ultra. I can temporarily stick it on an iron sign on a mountain path, on a pole in the city, on an indoor fridge… you just need to find a ferromagnetic surface, even a very small one, to magnetize the camera to it. This allows for multiplying and especially diversifying shots.
The device actually consists of two parts: the camera and the docking module — called Action Pod by Insta360. It’s the camera alone that can be attached everywhere.
It can therefore be used alone to film independently, but also when it is in its Pod. The latter has the advantage of charging the camera and hosting a screen. It’s up to you to decide depending on the situation:
- you want to attach the camera to your cap or magnetize it against a pole: use only the camera part;
- you want to film by hand and have video feedback to frame better: use the whole camera + Action Pod set.
Historically, Insta360 GO cameras take the form of a pill weighing 35 g to 39 g. However, housing a larger sensor and offering better performance forced Insta360 to make physical concessions: the Insta360 GO Ultra ditches the pill to adopt an almost square format of 46 × 45.7 × 18.3 mm. On the scale, the camera alone (without its Action Pod case) climbs to 53 grams.
The weight gain is less striking on paper than in reality, as one could almost say that the GO Ultra looks like two GO 3S side by side.
For more context, below is a table that summarizes the weights and dimensions of the market formats:
| Model | Format | Weight (in g) | Dimensions (in mm) | Screen Size (in inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insta360 GO 3S | Small camera + pod | 39 (camera) and 135 (camera + pod) | 25.6 x 54.4 x 24.8 (camera) | 2.2 |
| Insta360 GO Ultra | Small camera + pod | 53 (camera) and 162 (camera + pod) | 46 x 45.7 x 18.3 (camera) | 2.5 |
| DJI Osmo Nano | Small camera + pod | 52 (camera) and 124 (camera + pod) | 57.3 x 29.5 x 28 (camera) | 1.96 |
| GoPro Hero | Small camera | 86 | 56.6 x 47.7 x 29.4 | 1.76 |
| Insta360 AcePro 2 | Action camera | 177 | 71.9 x 52.2 x 38 | 2.5 |
| DJI Osmo Action 6 | Action camera | 149 | 72.8 x 47.2 x 33.1 | 2.5 |
| GoPro Hero 13 Black | Action camera | 159 | 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 | 2.27 |
As you can see on paper, the Insta360 GO Ultra seems to combine the advantages of both worlds: a very light small camera when used alone, which transforms into a more complete camera once connected to its docking module.
On the scale, Insta360 and DJI virtually tie: the DJI Osmo Nano weighs 52 grams (one gram less), but opts for a different design approach, much more elongated and thicker (57.3 × 29.5 × 28 mm). You can see in the photos that DJI has chosen to link the two components by stacking the camera on the docking block, whereas Insta360 embeds the camera in the Pod.
While both models (Insta360 GO Ultra and DJI Osmo Nano) are impressively lightweight, I personally prefer DJI’s format. Rectangular, the Osmo Nano is easier to handle than the GO Ultra — and helps avoid seeing your fingers in the field of view.
The camera itself features minimalist ergonomics. The only physical button is hidden under the front face of the camera. A simple press powers it up and starts recording immediately.
Also, a small cover houses the microSD card and this is the big difference from the GO 3S, which only had internal storage, too limiting for some. It’s good, but a shame not to have combined internal and external storage.
For the rest of the controls, advanced settings, and video feedback, you obviously need to slide the GO Ultra into its famous Action Pod. Here, we then find three physical buttons, the usual ones at Insta360:
- on the top: a shutter button;
- on the right side: a power button and a multifunction button (Q).
On the left, the USB-C port for charging is strangely not protected. As with the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera, the screen of the GO Ultra’s Pod can be folded down, handy for checking your framing during a vlog.
In this type of camera, the ecosystem of magnetic accessories remains crucial and Insta360 still masters its subject well. The pendant included in the box (to slip under your clothing) is very effective for POV shots and can even be worn backwards (on the back) to film someone who would be behind you.
The brand also provides a kind of clip to attach to the back of a cap — which you will also have to wear backwards on your head, so that the camera is above your eyes.
Be careful with these accessories, only the magnet holds the camera. Although it is not reassuring at first, it must be noted that unless it is a misplaced hit, everything stays in place. The GO Ultra does not pull on the collar once magnetized to the pendant, but you will look like a creep with a small camera on your chest. You can also position the camera module in two positions: one to film in 16:9, and the other to record in 9:16. Clever.
Walking, hopping, and running are all perfectly possible. The camera did not move a hair from its pendant support when I jumped very hard on the spot to try to make it fall. With the cap support, I was even able to follow UTMB runners for several hundred meters downhill. Well, it’s the support itself that came off my cap after a big bumpy downhill. In these more “extreme” cases, you need to have the reflex to check that the support is not slipping. The brand has planned ahead by delivering a safety cord in the box.
And once you’ve used the camera, how do you insert it so that it stays attached to its docking module? The hold is provided by a double locking system: with magnets and two mechanical latches. Believe me: as long as you don’t press the orange latch to release the set, the camera will stay well attached to the Pod.
This does not mean that you can attach the whole thing to a mountain bike handlebar: the GO Ultra is not really designed for extreme sports. The brand does not promote any usual action camera accessories, but still shows several examples of uses on a bike.
Insta360 seems to particularly target cyclists with, in addition to the POV mode thanks to the collar, a flexible strap mount to attach to the helmet, handlebars, steering tube, and anywhere you find room on the bike. Well, there is also the partnership with Pogačar, if we had any doubts.
Note that the said accessories are designed to accommodate the camera alone, without its Pod.
In terms of durability, the simple two-part construction of the GO Ultra makes me less comfortable with the idea of throwing it at the bottom of a bag when I go hiking, for example. My test camera also has a scratch on the lens protection, without really knowing how or why.
Good news, Insta360 had the intelligence to offer a removable lens cover. I could have ordered a new one and replaced it in 5 seconds. That’s a good point for durability, especially on a product meant to be attached just about anywhere without additional protection. In short, the Insta360 GO Ultra can accompany you on some adventures, but it does not replace a real action camera in case… of action.
On that note, my white GO Ultra quickly took on some gray wear marks, which are easy to remove by rubbing with your fingers.
In addition to lesser robustness, there is indeed a point that differentiates these small cameras from their big sisters the action cameras: the waterproofing. The camera module alone of the GO Ultra sees its waterproofing increase from 5 meters to 10 meters. That’s more than enough to film summer swims, even an early dive. The camera here is on par with the DJI Osmo Nano.
But the Action Pod itself is absolutely not waterproof. It only has an IPX4 certification: it will survive a light rain or a few splashes near the pool, but do not immerse it in water. This is a historical limitation of the GO range that Insta360 has not managed to correct on this Ultra version. It will therefore always be necessary to keep this constraint in mind before jumping into the water: take only the camera, not the whole set.
Insta360 Go UltraSoftware Interface: Unleashing Creativity
The GO Ultra unsurprisingly carries over the same interface as Insta360’s action cameras. Finger swipes on the screen open video settings (resolution, frame rate, stabilization), the control center, or already recorded videos. The Q (Quick) button allows you to quickly switch between modes (video, photo, Time Lapse, slow motion…) or customizable recording profiles (vlog, action, mountain biking…) without going through the screen. Features quite common for action cameras, but always useful.
Note that a click at the top right of the screen lets you know the battery level of the camera and the docking station (the famous Action Pod).
In terms of fluidity, the touch navigation responds instantly. Our test unit had some slowdowns initially, but the software was not yet polished. Today, I have nothing specific to report. If the DJI Osmo Nano is faster to power on and off (as usual with DJI, which excels in this area), the Insta360 GO Ultra remains quite responsive in everyday use.
I specify just in case: you can separate the camera module from the docking module and start a recording from the said docking module. In this case, it serves as a remote control and even as live video feedback. It’s frankly handy for framing a video by attaching the camera to a quirky place.
With a classic action camera, you would have had to launch the companion app on your phone and then connect it to the camera. It’s a matter of a minute if all goes well certainly, but you have to be motivated. With the detachable format of the GO Ultra, it’s a matter of seconds. Once again, creativity is simplified.
And if you want to do a vlog? Simply replace the camera in its Pod and flip the screen — thanks to the usual Insta360 hinge. We find here the “best of both worlds” I was talking about at the beginning of this review.
In this specific use case, the Insta360 GO Ultra is better designed than the DJI Osmo Nano. With the latter, if you want to switch to vlog mode in the middle of a video, you have to detach the two parts and reconnect them in the other direction: it will clearly show up in the final video — shakes and fingers in front of the lens. With the GO Ultra, only the screen is flipped.
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.
Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.