I have a confession. When I first got the Insta360 X4 Air, I thought it was something I could take on easily. I’ve been reviewing tech for over a decade now. I’ve fiddled my way through enough of them to be in this headspace. But that was my mistake. 

The Insta360 X4 Air, being the first 360 camera that I spent longer than a day with, humbled me right away. Part of that humility came from realizing that shooting with dual 1/1.8-inch sensors and full 8K 360 capture isn’t just “point and shoot.” You’re not just framing a subject. You’re framing the entire environment, and that requires a different mindset.

It wasn’t the usual smartphone review that I could write in my sleep. It was something else entirely. Even as someone who has professionally produced videos for the web for years, this was something new to me.

The thing is, the way it’s being marketed is that it’s something you bring with you, turn on, and just forget about. Just let it capture everything and make your adjustments later. 

And to be fair, the X4 Air leans into that philosophy. AdaptiveTone, Active HDR, and InstaFrame Mode are designed around the idea that you shoot first and carve out the story in post. That runs counter to how I’ve operated, especially recently.

My philosophy is to be as intentional as possible with every shot and every frame. My post-production process starts as early as the time I conceptualize the video. 

With the volume of stuff that we have to produce, we don’t always execute this perfectly. But it’s a nice general guideline that has saved me multiple times on multiple projects.

An outdoor camera

I am primarily an indoors person. That’s why most of our 360 and action camera reviews were handled by our more outdoorsy member, MJ. And to its credit, the X4 Air is built for the outdoors in a very literal sense. 

It weighs just 165 grams, slips easily into any sling or backpack, and its user-replaceable lenses now have a tougher optical coating that doubles drop resistance. It also has waterproofing up to 15 meters, plus FlowState Stabilization and 360° Horizon Lock to keep things steady regardless of how chaotic the shooting environment gets.

So, does that mean myself and the Insta360 X4 Air are a mismatch? Not necessarily. I do travel a fair bit – at least once every quarter – and I can see the X4 Air being handy in those mostly work trips. 

And because it shares the same 8K 30 fps 360 video system and replaceable lens setup as the flagship X5, you’re not giving up much by picking the lighter option. It even supports most of the X5 accessories, which makes it a flexible travel companion.

Unfortunately, I had no such trips during my time with the X4 Air. That’s why I’m not exactly thrilled by the samples I produced. But that’s more a knock on my lifestyle than the camera.

 

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360 camera: A new tool, a new challenge

Recognizing that I’m out of my depth and comfort zone, I quickly trooped to YouTube and looked up Insta360 sample videos. The videos were all incredible but none of them I could recreate right away. 

The X4 Air does make things friendlier with Twist to Shoot, Gesture Control, and Voice Control. You can start recording hands-free, which helps when you’re figuring out your flow. 

InstaFrame even saves a ready-to-share flat video on top of the full 360 archive. But you still need time to understand the angles, the movement, and the kind of shots that actually make sense once you start reframing.

I’m excited to take the Insta360 X4 Air in my upcoming trips and find a way to incorporate it into my workflow. I guess that’s the question you should ask yourself if this is a camera you’re eyeing. It’s an incredible tool, sure. But is it the right one for the content you intend to produce?

Too costly to try?

At PhP 21,999 (or PhP 24,999 for the Starter Bundle with the 114 cm Invisible Selfie Stick, lens cap, and extra battery), it’s quite an investment. 

You’re paying for the full 8K workflow, the stabilisation system, the improved low-light algorithms, the waterproofing, the tougher lens coating, and the AI-driven editing tools inside the Insta360 app. You’re also getting a one-year, 200 GB Insta360+ cloud subscription for backups and quick sharing.

The prudent thing to do is to do your research. Find out the work it takes to make the videos you want to make with a 360 cam and see if it’s something that you would be able to sustain.

@rodneilInsta360 X4 Air test clip. 🎳♬ som original – Darkness Music

Is the Insta360 X4 Air your GadgetMatch?

The Insta360 X4 Air is a Swipe Right, but you have to be purposeful about your intended use. Sure, you can do the just-turn-it-on-and-think-about-it-later approach, but I don’t think you’ll be maximizing it that way. 

At worst, it’s an expensive extra cam that you’ll only occasionally use. At best, it’s the tool that adds dynamic shots you simply can’t capture any other way.

In its past two iterations, the Predator franchise tried on different hats. Instead of recycling the same movie monster premise, the series has seen a historical period piece (read: Prey) and an animated anthology (read: Killer of Killers). Now, in its third outing in only a few years, it’s time to take its rightful place in a new genre — a family-friendly adventure comedy.

Predator: Badlands is Dan Trachtenberg’s second film in his planned three-piece outing. Whereas Prey takes audiences back into history, Badlands flings them all the way into the future. Dek is a young Yautje who, after being outcasted from his tribe, seeks to bring down an unkillable beast from a hostile planet called Genna to reclaim his honor.

Along the way, he meets the happy-go-lucky Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani synth who has her own secret mission in Genna. He also meets Bud, an adorable bipedal creature with a pug-like face. Now, when you mix a stoic warrior with a quirky sidekick and a cute pet, you have the makings of a sci-fi comedy.

Predator as a comedy

Predator: Badlands takes some getting used to. If you’ve seen other Predator films in the past, you’d know that the franchise isn’t known for its comedy. So, when Badlands wants to make you laugh, it’s not coming from a place that’s natural to the series.

At the very least, there are moments that work. When the tough-as-nails Dek finally warms up to Bud’s antics while Thia looks on, it’s a heart-warming moment that helps audiences believe in the familial dynamic between the three characters.

After a few moments of me mouthing “what am I watching,” the film does warm up. And it all starts once you realize that the Predator is the protagonist of this story and that no humans are in a life-or-death struggle this time. But again, it does take a while.

At its core, Badlands is a story about found family, and it surprisingly works. Usually, this is when the review ends, had it not been for the fact that this is a Predator film and not a generic adventure.

A wealth of great ideas

Don’t get me wrong; Badlands is not a bad movie. It’s just different. And amid the differences, there is a mountain of great ideas that can tickle any Predator fan.

For the first, it’s actually refreshing to finally see the Yautje act like a resourceful hunter, rather than just an invisible killing machine. The Predator is not invincible. He gets hurt. Often, he has to use the planet’s resources to survive.

For way too long, Predator films focused too much on forcing humans to adapt against the technologically advanced alien from outer space. For the first time, it’s now the alien in a position of vulnerability, and it’s great.

Secondly, the new creatures introduced in Genna are inspiring. The roster is equal parts of the silliness of James Gunn and the macabre of Guillermo del Toro. These include a bursting plant that paralyzes with a single hit, a sentient tree that eats other beings, and Bud. The planet is filled with creatures that are both frightening and interesting to meet in a forest.

Despite the laughs, this is a Predator film that helps expand the lore of a usually mysterious franchise. Because, of course, the Yautje are a species of hunters where honor exists. Of course, they hunt terrifying things. Of course, Weyland-Yutani is still an evil monster of a corporation here.

The Alien connection

In the months leading up to the movie’s premiere, the main talking point was Elle Fanning’s character. She plays a synth from Weyland-Yutani, a corporation from the Alien franchise.

A connection between the two franchises has existed since the Alien vs. Predator series of films. (Badlands even nods to this duology when Dek eventually get the nickname of “Wolf”.) This is, however, the first time we get a crossover set in the far-flung future traditionally held for the Alien franchise.

Is this the return of the AvP franchise? Well, not really.

From a production standpoint, using Weyland-Yutani as a plot device saves a lot. The story involves a crew completely populated by synths. Fanning plays two characters. An entire army of synths is played by one or two actors. Since they’re synths, they don’t need red blood. Plus, it keeps the movie in PG territory.

However, from a narrative standpoint, Weyland-Yutani is a slightly odd choice. For one, the movie heavily assumes that audiences already know how evil the corporation is. Though there are a few expository dialogue that confirms such, Weyland-Yutani is a mostly invisible force.

It’s also unclear where Trachtenberg wants to take this connection. This isn’t a xenomorph movie, so you won’t see a shoehorned connection to the Alien series. But it is a natural connection. There’s no need to force a new Alien vs. Predator film right off the bat. Weyland-Yutani’s status as an antagonist just needs more time to marinate because it’s hard to expect audiences to know who the corporation is.

Living in a tropical country means heat is woven into my routine. I walk a few steps and instantly break into a sweat because my body thinks it’s funny. Being out of shape doesn’t help, but until I fix that, handheld fans are my lifeline.

They’ve become essential in the Philippines, and I still can’t believe it took this long for them to evolve into actual daily-use gadgets. The Aecooly Aero Ultra stood out because it didn’t look like the typical fan you see everywhere. The half-pipe frame, the pop of orange, and the odd tube-like shape felt like gear from a game instead of a humid-day survival tool.

Design that turns heads

What surprised me first was how unique it looked. The r-style air tube design has this odd charm that sparks curiosity. Every time I pulled it out, people asked about it, held it, and tried to figure out how the air travels through that curved body.

The 170-gram weight feels almost nonexistent in hand or in a bag. I wouldn’t put it in a pocket since it sticks out awkwardly, but carrying it around never felt like a burden. The PC and AeroGrade aluminum blend also feels solid and durable, not cheap or hollow.

And that orange finish fits me perfectly. Sometimes a little color can make a hot day feel lighter, and this one does the job.

Performance that actually matches the design

On Standard speeds 1 to 4, the Ultra gives you a soft, steady breeze. Even at the highest standard setting, it still feels mellow, like a nudge of airflow rather than a blast.

Switch to the Turbo modes and it transforms. The power jump is real, strong enough that I’ve used it to dry my hair when I needed to rush out the door. The 11 m/s airflow hits a sweet balance where it cools you quickly but doesn’t overwhelm you whether you’re outdoors, walking through a mall, or sitting in a café.

Even at its top 15,000 RPM, the airflow still feels smooth. The honeycomb vents keep the direction tight without making the wind feel aggressive. Noise-wise, it’s noticeable in quiet rooms but blends into the background in noisier spaces.

The LED display is perfect for someone like me who panics when devices drop below fifty percent. Knowing the exact battery level shapes how I use it throughout the day. The seven speed levels make it easy to adapt in different environments, from blasting full Turbo at a concert to staying quiet in calmer settings.

Switching modes is intuitive, and the “r” form factor helps direct the airflow with minimal wrist movement. It’s comfortable, functional, and easy to pick up without overthinking how to hold it.

Battery Life, everyday use, and why I prefer the Ultra

Aecooly claims seventeen hours of battery life, but I never drained it to zero because I always top up before going out. Still, I never once felt like I had to conserve power. It usually refills after an hour-long podcast, and that alone makes it reliable for daily cycles.

The LED percentage indicator is another quality-of-life win. It helped me ration usage during events, long commutes, and casual walking days. I didn’t test the base Aero or Aero Pro, but looking at the numbers, I still tell people to get the Ultra if they can afford it. The stronger Turbo levels and larger battery make it feel like the complete package.

In real use, I bring it everywhere. I cool down after small activity bursts, I use it while walking, I’ve brought it to concerts, events, and even used it to dry my wavy hair. It never felt awkward to use in public.

My only complaint is not knowing how to attach the included wrist strap. I also wish it had a lanyard option so I could hang it around my chest and angle it upward hands-free.

Is the Aecooly Aero Ultra your GadgetMatch?

Our Associate Creative Director, MJ, enjoying the Aecooly Aero Ultra

Still, the Aecooly Aero Ultra feels premium, dependable, and built for the kind of heat I deal with daily. Definitely a Swipe Up. 

If you need consistent cooling on the go, this is an easy recommendation. It has become a part of my everyday carry, and I don’t see myself leaving the house without it anytime soon.