Insta360 X6 Review (2026): A Great 360 and Action Camera Hybrid
Wired has reviewed the Insta360 X6, the latest model in Insta360's line of 360-degree and action cameras, finding it a solid but incremental upgrade over its predecessor, the X5. The camera aims to keep Insta360 ahead of rivals DJI and GoPro by offering improved video quality, faster frame rates and better low-light performance, alongside software designed to reduce editing time, though the reviewer notes it is not a dramatic leap forward.
Physically, the X6 is shorter, squatter and wider than the X5, with a smaller screen and no physical buttons, replaced by less reliable onscreen haptic controls. Key upgrades include a larger 1/1.1-inch sensor (up from 1/1.28-inch), a bigger 2,600mAh battery (up from 2,400mAh) that is now removable without an attached door, new power contact points for charging via a selfie stick, tougher replaceable lens covers, and an IP68 rating for water resistance to 66 feet. It records 7.2K video, slightly below the GoPro Max 2's 8K, but the reviewer found its night-time footage to be the best of any 360 camera tested so far.
In short
- Insta360 X6 offers modest but meaningful upgrades over the X5.
- Larger sensor, bigger battery and best-in-class low-light video.
- Smaller screen and touch buttons are less user-friendly than before.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The X6 looks like a worthwhile refinement for people who want one camera for immersive 360-degree footage and action shooting. Its larger sensor, stronger low-light performance, longer battery life, tougher replaceable lens covers and deeper water resistance address practical limitations, while editing software may save time; the reviewer’s finding that its night footage leads tested 360 cameras is a notable gain.
The case against
The upgrade may be too modest to justify replacing an X5, particularly for buyers who value straightforward controls: the smaller screen and less reliable haptic controls could make use more awkward. Its 7.2K video also falls short of the GoPro Max 2’s 8K, and the improvements may not outweigh the cost for people who do not need the X6’s specific low-light or durability advantages.
Explained simply
A 360-degree camera records the whole scene around it, so viewers can later choose which direction to look. Insta360 makes these cameras as well as action cameras designed for filming activities on the move; its main rivals include GoPro and DJI.
The X6 follows Insta360’s X5, with changes to its sensor, battery, lens covers and water resistance. Its video resolution is a little below GoPro’s Max 2, while the larger sensor is intended to help in dim light.
These cameras also rely on software to turn wide-ranging footage into conventional clips, which can affect how much time editing takes. The X6’s place in the market therefore depends on how its image quality, durability and editing tools compare with rival cameras.