Reviews

TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 review: Flippin’tastic!

Two full months with TECNO’s second flip phone

Published

December 3, 2024

Vincenz

We’ve seen a sudden storm of flippables this 2024 — from Xiaomi and HONOR’s first ever flagship flips, to wallet-friendly yet worthy flip phones by ZTE, HUAWEI, and motorola. Of course, the trendsetter won’t miss their chance with the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6.

But we’re here for TECNO’s freshest flip. I’ve spent two good months with the brand’s second flip to see what it’s really capable of — and what it also lacks.

One Fine Flip

Appearance-wise, TECNO’s PHANTOM V Flip2 already shows a massive transformation compared to its predecessor.

It now looks more stylish and mature compared to last year’s cutesy and chic aesthetics.

Folding the V Flip2 in half reveals its Double Helix Star Track Water Droplet Hinge. TECNO says this new hinge mechanism promises up to 400,000 folds.

Although two months isn’t enough to fully support that claim, folding and unfolding the device never felt cheap. It has enough resistance like other premium flip phones do — which is also a huge improvement versus the first iteration with its tacky hinge.

Turning to its back, I love how it doesn’t attract smudges or fingerprints. The texture is close to a fine sand. And even with the less flashy color, it still shows shimmer and glimmer all-around.

Looking closer, it now shows an engraved “Designed by PHANTOM” branding on it.

Also, that distinct PHANTOM logo adds an overall premium touch especially when hit by faint light.

Its shiny frame also looks premium like any other modern flagship.

At 196 grams, it’s not the lightest clamshell flip out there. But, that amount of heft makes it comfortable to hold.

It’s also not the thinnest flip, but its adequate thickness of 16mm makes it grippy enough even in one-handed use.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 vs TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2

And for comparison’s sake, here’s what it looks like compared to Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6’s 14.9mm folded body with a matte frame. I can barely see the thickness difference.

Cherish that cover screen

Although that iconic circular cover screen will be missed from its predecessor, I just love how TECNO decided to just jump into the bandwagon.

TECNO PHANTOM V Flip | 2023

Not that it’s a bad thing. For myself, I want a cover screen that’s usable too. After all, a bigger screen comes with greater overall usability.

The new cover display accounts for better customization features — including quirky frames like this fluffy orange cat that I love.

There are five pets to pick including an alpaca, hamster, rabbit, dolphin, and falcon.

You can easily swipe through your cover lock screen styles by swiping left and right

I just wish TECNO would allow videos to be set as cover screen wallpaper. The only workaround for now is to select one of the built-in photo frames and pick the video wallpaper you desire.

In my case, I searched for the capybara live wallpaper found on Xiaomi’s MIX Flip — just because I love capybaras more than anything else.

That bigger outer display not only gives you access over control center toggles and notifications…

…it also allows you to open apps and even reply to messages in full-screen keyboard without opening the flip itself.

It’s not just limited to YouTube; Netflix is also accessible in that dwarfed cover screen.

Even scrolling and liking posts and reels on Instagram is such a breeze!

My not-so-favorite music app also works here. I just wish Apple Music would also be supported in the near future.

Here’s a breakdown of some apps you can fully utilize on PHANTOM V Flip2’s large cover screen without actually flipping open the phone itself.

@gadgetmatch Can your flip phone’s cover screen do all of these? 🤔 #TECNOPhantomVFlip2 #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – GadgetMatch

TECNO’s larger 3.64-inch cover screen is very beneficial. Even the latest iteration of Samsung’s flip cannot run most of these apps due to its smaller folder-shaped outer display (at 3.4 inches) and restrictive software.

Unleash the inner beauty

The moment you unflip the V Flip2, its 6.9-inch foldable LTPO AMOLED flexible display will greet you with its superior screen quality.

Looking by just numbers, it’s a big display. But personally, it’s not as big as it seems — maybe because it has a narrower 22:9 aspect ratio.

The moment I opened the device for the first time, it barely showed any crease. Refer to my unboxing below:

@gadgetmatch Unwrapping TECNO’s freshest flip 😌 #PhantomVFlip2 #Tecno #fyp #foryou #unboxing #unboxingvideo ♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman

But as expected, after two months of usage, the crease is there. Although, it’s not as prominent as I thought it would be.

I barely felt it’s presence as I’m so hooked to the content I’m viewing.

Although TECNO didn’t specifically state the maximum brightness level of its inner display, it looked bright even for outdoor usage.

Despite the small and foldable form factor, TECNO has managed to fit in some loud stereo speakers that doesn’t sound tinny nor cracked.

And to make the experience fuller, TECNO’s latest flip also has Dolby Atmos support. This ensures a great sound quality especially when I listen to songs that support it.

Tolerable Performer

The PHANTOM V Flip2 runs MediaTek’s Dimensity 8020 8-core SoC based on a 6nm process — and it’s actually one of the rarest chipsets used in the smartphone world.

For reference, it has already powered their sister brand’s midrange device last year, the Infinix ZERO 30 5G.

As we all expect, most of the basic tasks run fine — socials, messaging, calls, tools, among others.

But when it comes to hardcore gaming, it’s far from being flawless.

Most graphics-intensive titles will still run but with occasional stutters.

For instance, Zenless Zone Zero runs in the lowest graphics by default.

Activating Performance Mode in High Boost enhances the gameplay but at the expense of the battery life.

Meanwhile, games such as CoDM (Call of Duty: Mobile)…

Pokémon Unite…

Asphalt Legends Unite…

and even the very underrated Bus Simulator Ultimate should all run fine with medium settings ticked.

Heat is a by-product of continuous smartphone usage — and that’s when it prompted me to unfold the phone as it was already suffering from severe overheating.

To be fair, this only happened once during a very hot and humid afternoon outdoors.

One worthy thing to note is how responsive its side-mounted fingerprint scanner is.

Originally, it had some bugs such as unwanted stutter and sluggishness especially when I just try to access the phone folded (via its cover screen).

TECNO thankfully resolved this with a software update. Unlocking has never been this responsive in cover screen mode.

However, it’s also worthy to point out that the PHANTOM V Flip2 doesn’t have any IP rating unlike the Galaxy Z Flip6’s IP48 rating.

Power-packed on paper

TECNO has an outstanding 4720mAh battery on paper. Unfortunately, the choice of the mid-class chipset might be the culprit on why the PHANTOM V Flip2 lasts only around 4 to 6 hours of onscreen usage.

But, giving the benefit of the doubt, using only the phone’s outer display and/or enabling battery saver mode can extend its overall endurance.

Fortunately, charging speeds got bumped up: from last year’s 45W to a speedier 70W fast charging — and it’s the fastest in any Flip as of this writing.

Already shown in the unboxing above, its 70W charging adapter and proprietary USB-C to USB-A cable are all bundled in the box.

Without further ado, here’s my definitive GadgetMatch Charge Test results:

	*1st Attempt*	*2nd Attempt*
*START TIME (From 0%)*	11:22PM	3:30PM
3 minutes	12%	11%
5 minutes	20%	18%
10 minutes	27%	26%
15 minutes	36%	35%
20 minutes	43%	42%
*30 minutes*	57%	57%
40 minutes	73%	71%
45 minutes	79%	78%
50 minutes	87%	85%
55 minutes	96%	92%
*1 hour*	—	98%
*END TIME*	12:21AM 59 minutes	4:32PM 1 hour 2 minutes

It’s very clear that you need at least an hour for you to fully-charge the Flip from its dead state.

Surprisingly competitive cameras

Just like any other 2024 flip phone, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 is equipped with THE essential camera combo.

To be very precise, it features a dual 50MP layout for both its wide and ultra-wide angle lenses.

Wide	50MP 1/1.57” sensor
Ultra-Wide	50MP 114º Field of View (FoV)
Selfie	32MP f/2.45

But the proof is in the pudding. I have plenty of photo samples just for you to see that the PHANTOM V Flip2 is a very capable shooter despite its size and price.

In for a triple treat

Much like its recent CAMON 30 series cousin, the PHANTOM V Flip2 also features its trio of built-in camera color profiles: Standard, Bright, and PHANTOM.

Standard, from the term itself, gives the default look that’s both pleasing to viewers’ eyes and to devices’ screens alike.

Bright, on the other hand, gives that ✨ pop ✨ to dull-looking subjects.

Lastly, the PHANTOM profile gives an understated look with less saturation, shadows, and contrast altogether. It’s perfect if you want your shots to be more dramatic yet subdued.

If my explanation isn’t enough, I’ll let these GIFs do the talking.

Taking pride in wide

As what I already expect, regular 1x (wide) camera takes stunning shots.

No matter what subject it is whether moving or unanimated, the PHANTOM V Flip2 can capture it clearly for you.

There’s no going overboard — whether that’s exposure, highlights, shadows, contrast, and sharpness.

Curious about low-light performance? TECNO’s AI algorithms at night took this shot without absurdity.

The wider, the better?

Honestly, I favor having this camera pairing more instead of the polarizing wide and 2x telephoto lenses found on both the Xiaomi MIX Flip as well as the motorola razr 50 Ultra (or razr+ 2024).

Although there’s no word about the actual aperture and sensor used, its ultra-wide camera is a good shooter as well.

And if you’re wondering, quality is overall consistent in both modes.

Macro Madness

Surprisingly, the PHANTOM V Flip2 was also able to take these incredible close-up / macro shots — as close as 5 to 10cm.

Whether it’s the middle part of this yellow flower consisting of its pistils and stamens…

…tiny rain drops on tiny leaves plus a chubby moth with its pretty wings…

…and even a dragonfly that’s weirdly attracted to a flower, the PHANTOM V Flip2 was able to document all of that with some few shutter presses.

No room for zoom?

Hardware-wise, the PHANTOM V Flip2 doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto zoom lens. Instead, it relies on its main 50MP camera when taking zoomed shots.

Remarkably, lossless 2x photos looked great as well.

It’s even beneficial when taking portraits with a sufficient amount of Depth of Field (DoF).

Freer than ever

While already on the topic, the camera feature I enjoyed the most while using the PHANTOM V Flip2 is none other than its FreeCam System.

This basically lets you fold the phone in half. Prop it on any smooth and stable surface and it will instantly turn into your portable shooter. The new hinge mechanism simply makes the experience better and more secure.

Enable the cover mode from the main flexible screen, et voilà! You can frame yourself and/or everyone else with no frills.

From there, you have two options to shoot. First is setting up a timer and toggle the camera by using hand gestures or voice commands. These were the results.

As fortunate as it seems, the pole, floor, staircase, and even the dumpster bin where I placed the V Flip2 were all stable to capture great memories without awkwardly asking a stranger to take a photo of us.

I have realized its full potential and how beneficial this Flip was when I had my trip to South Korea by myself.

Being in an introvert, I am afraid to ask people to take a photo of me.

Luckily, I bought and brought a monopod with a detachable Bluetooth remote control. I was then more confident when taking self-portraits — especially with the large cover screen and flexible camera system of the PHANTOM V Flip2.

All modes work regardless if it’s 1x wide, ultra-wide, or even 2x digital zoom.

Night mode also works like a charm!

It was almost pitch dark in Namsan Tower but the V Flip2 still managed to snap this

However, it’s not 100% perfect. If there’s one loophole, it would be the inability of the camera app to activate cover screen mode from the lock screen shortcut.

The only way to get it is to start from scratch — unflip and unlock the phone, then open the camera app from the main screen.

From there, you will see the cover screen icon at the upper left of the camera UI.

I still believe this can be fixed by TECNO through a future software update — much like how I am still eagerly waiting for a fix in its bigger brother, the V Fold2.

Trick or Treat?

Certain software features are what makes each Android smartphone manufacturer different from one another. In TECNO’s case, they’ve created HiOS with familiar features in mind.

IYKYK: TECNO has implemented a Dynamic Island-like functionality called “Dynamic Port”. It’s applicable to certain apps such as music (regardless if third-party app), countdown timer, face unlock, call status, charging indication, and more.

On the cover screen, it doesn’t do the same function. It only stays there as an indicator.

There are also AI-powered tools such as AI Smart Erase where you can erase unwanted people/objects out of a photo you just snapped or Intelligent Cut-Outs that outlines a subject you long-pressed.

Also, AI Drawing Board for the V Flip2 to AI-generated imagery based on certain art styles.

There’s also Ella — TECNO’s voice slash virtual AI assistant in one.

Not only it can search things for you, you can also ask for certain queries such as summarization of a long article, finding something in a document, and more.

And while already in the topic, the V Flip2 can also help with your writing woes with Text Generator, Rewrite, and even Proofread.

Is the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 your GadgetMatch?

The TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 has a retail price of just US$ 699 (around EUR 645 / GBP 539 / SG$ 919 / PhP 40,425 / INR 58,765). This makes it one of the pocket-friendly 2024 flips out there — literally and figuratively.

UPDATE: TECNO has recently launched this in the Philippines for a special TikTok Shop-exclusive price of just PhP 27,999. It also includes freebies such as the PHANTOM Digital Video Case (PhP 1,999) plus a Limited Edition PHANTOM Luggage and Pin worth PhP 2,999.

After December 8, 2024, it goes back to its SRP of PhP 34,999 — which is still a lot less than its converted pricing above.

In line with GadgetMatch’s a la dating app concept of matching gadgets based on one’s wants and/or needs, we’re here to make it easier for you with just a series of swipes.

Swipe Left if you’re looking for a flip smartphone with a powerful processing power that can handle your triple A titles.

Swipe Right if you want that flip experience without having to sacrifice much of your savings.

As for me, I’m Super Swiping the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2 as no other flip phone can match the great features it has for such value.

Flip or Flop?

If maximum performance is in your priority list, you’d know by now how the PHANTOM V Flip2 has flopped.

But, even though its MID-iaTek chip *pun intended* is the biggest compromise (and also the biggest factor for cost-cutting), it’s still hard to deny how irresistible and compelling this flippable is in 2024’s sea of flips.

Looking at the competition, the Xiaomi MIX Flip, HONOR Magic V Flip, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, and motorola razr 50 Ultra are all more powerful in overall performance. But the thing is, one will cost you a fortune.

Meanwhile, in the lower-end of the spectrum is where the HUAWEI nova flip and ZTE nubia flip both sit. They already have their fair share of downsides such as the smaller outer displays. Design neither an exception.

IMHO, its direct rival is none other than the motorola razr 50.

While they share similarities (and some differences) such as having the same cover screen size (minus V Flip2’s 120Hz display), quite similar dual camera setup (except for the razr 50’s measly 13MP UWA lens), the razr 50 is more packed with its 4nm Dimensity 7300X chipset.

Still, both phones are packed in the most modern flip design in mind.

That said, if you’ve been wanting to switch and try out the flip-erience without having to sacrifice much of your savings, the PHANTOM V Flip2 is the sign you’ve been waiting for.

You couldn’t get much of these features and prowess in other brands. Not even the Galaxy Z Flip6 could run most of the apps without flipping open the device itself.

Cameras are for another story. If you’ll ask me, it probably deserves a piece of its own just by how amazing the shots were thanks to both V Flip2’s camera hardware and TECNO’s AI camera algorithm combined.

Without a doubt, TECNO’s PHANTOM V Flip2 deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

Reviews

nubia Air Review: The air that’s lighter on your pocket

Published

November 17, 2025

Tom Lorenz Alulod

If you’ve been eyeing that ultra-thin phone everyone’s been raving about but don’t quite have the budget for it, this might be your lucky day. nubia has recently launched the nubia Air in the Philippines.

It’s a new phone that boasts only 5.9mm of thinness and weighs just 172 grams, all while keeping things firmly in the affordable category.

So, brace yourself because this might just be the kind of “Air” that won’t make your pockets feel light.

But before anything else, let’s breeze though some of its specs:

Ultra-slim and lightweight build — just 5.9mm thin and 172g
6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
IP69K dust and water resistance
50MP autofocus main camera + 2MP auxiliary lens
20MP front-facing camera
5,000mAh battery with 350W fast charging support
Unisoc T8300 octa-core processor (6nm)
8GB RAM, expandable up to 20GB with virtual RAM expansion
256GB internal storage
Android 15 out of the box

Design & build quality: Slim, premium, and surprisingly polished

The nubia Air is one of those phones that immediately makes an impression the moment you pick it up. At just 5.9mm thin, it feels incredibly sleek—almost unreal—and yet it still manages to deliver a reassuringly premium in-hand feel.

I’m not usually the type who gravitates toward ultra-thin phones but holding this one honestly made me reconsider. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and far more refined than what its just over PhP 10,000 price tag would suggest.

It comes in two colors: Titanium Black and Titanium Desert. My Titanium Black unit looks clean and understated, though it’s worth noting that both the frame and the matte back can pick up fingerprints and smudges more easily than expected. The included case solves that quickly, but it’s something users should keep in mind.

Despite clearly taking inspiration from a more famous “Air” device, nubia adds its own touches. The red-accented power button and the subtle red branding on the camera plateau give the phone a bit of personality without overdoing it. Small details, but they help the nubia Air establish an identity of its own.

A display that punches above its price

Front and center, the nubia Air packs a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, topped with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for added scratch resistance. And honestly? It looks far better than what you’d expect from a phone sitting at this price tier.

Brightness isn’t an issue either. With auto mode pushing it up to around 4,500 nits, I never struggled to read anything outdoors — even under Manila’s unforgiving midday sun. The 120Hz refresh rate keeps things smooth, whether you’re scrolling through socials, swiping menus, or gaming lightly on the side.

The borders are slim enough to make everything feel more open and immersive. Viewing angles hold up well too, maintaining clarity even when you’re not looking straight at the screen.

Overall, the nubia Air’s display puts in the work. It looks modern, feels fluid, and definitely won’t give away that you’re using a budget phone.

Cameras: Decent, usable, but not the star

The nubia Air is equipped with a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and an additional auxiliary sensor. Photos turn out good and very usable, but this is where the phone’s budget roots show the most.

Images are generally clear, but sharpness varies, saturation can sometimes go overboard, and HDR isn’t the most reliable. The AI mode doesn’t add much either. Surprisingly, night shots are still okay, just not impressive.

There’s also a 78mm digital zoom preset, but as expected, the quality dips noticeably the moment you switch to it.

Up front, you get a 20MP selfie camera. It’s decent and social-media-ready, but the processing isn’t the best. HDR struggles here too, and while beauty filters exist, they don’t fully mask that “affordable phone” look.

Here are some samples taken with the nubia Air.

Performance & battery: Smooth for daily use, casual for gaming

If you’re sticking to light gaming, music streaming, and social media, the nubia Air will easily get you through a full day with some battery to spare. The 5,000mAh battery paired with 30W fast charging means you can quickly top up when you’re in a rush—it’s not the fastest, but it’s convenient.

This is my first time using a phone with a Unisoc T8300 processor, and it delivers a smooth experience. Scrolling through apps and social media feels effortless, especially with the 120Hz display; the interface really does feel like it’s breezing through.

Gaming, however, is a different story. Even at lower graphics settings, frame drops are noticeable, including in lighter games like Roblox. This is expected at this price point, and casual gamers won’t find it game-breaking. Multitasking is solid thanks to 8GB of RAM, expandable up to 20GB with virtual RAM, keeping day-to-day use fluid and responsive.

Other features & AI

The nubia Air runs Android 15 out of the box with a UI that’s clean and direct, keeping things simple without heavy skinning. It comes with a reliable in-display fingerprint sensor and a Live Island feature, where the punch-hole camera interacts with the software for notifications and alerts.

AI enhancements are present, especially for imaging, and it also supports Gemini AI. While it’s not groundbreaking compared to flagship devices, it’s a nice touch for a phone in this price range.

Is the nubia Air your GadgetMatch?

The nubia Air is a no-brainer Swipe Right. It gives you a phone that looks and feels premium without making your wallet cry. The 5.9mm thin body and light 172g weight make it feel like holding air, yet it’s surprisingly solid. Casual users will enjoy smooth performance, the display is bright and immersive, and the battery easily lasts a full day.

What makes this deal even sweeter? While the SRP is PhP 12,999, ongoing promos on platforms like Shopee mean you can grab it for even less. For a sleek, lightweight phone that’s easy to recommend to parents, teens, or anyone wanting a stylish daily driver without overspending, this one’s hard to beat.

Reviews

The Running Man modernizes Arnold Schwarzenegger’s classic

It works best when it tries not to be Squid Game Lite.

Published

November 12, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

From Battle Royale to The Hunger Games to Squid Game, the death game genre has remained popular throughout the decades. It was only recently when the genre became a commentary on the division of society. Though featuring social commentaries in their own right, the 1980s had flashier fare, typified by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Running Man. Now, almost four decades later, The Running Man is getting a remake, courtesy of director Glen Powell and Glen Powell.

Much like the first movie (and the Stephen King novel of the same name), The Running Man features a deadly game show where contestants must survive thirty days in the United States while a group of Hunters try to kill them. Powell plays an unemployed father whose luck turns worse when his daughter contracts a tough flu.

Out of desperation, he signs up for one of the available death games. However, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), the network’s producer, signs him up for the deadliest game of all, The Running Man.

Social commentary or pure action piece?

Inherently, the idea of a death game is ridiculous. It’s why comedy works in this genre. However, the more recent Hunger Games and Squid Game franchises turned the genre into self-serious social commentaries.

With Edgar Wright in the captain’s seat, The Running Man has the chance to show the genre in a more comedic light. Does the movie succeed? Well, it’s confusing.

Most of the movie goes through the same message as its contemporaries: a commentary against using media to induce further divisions in society. Powell’s Ben Richards is just unlucky, but Killian wants to use him for better ratings. In one scene, a character breaks the fourth wall and explains why we, the audience, should break free from the media’s influence.

Despite how preachy this all sounds, there are also moments when the movie doesn’t want you to take its message seriously. For example, Michael Cera plays a character who desperately wants the revolution against the network to happen as soon as possible. He believes that Richards should be the spark that lights that fuse. However, it’s also clear that he’s just insane as he booby-traps his entire house just to kill Hunters.

For me, the irreverence of Cera’s character is when the movie shines. It’s when Wright can spread his wings away from the burden of social commentary. Unfortunately, this doesn’t really last long. All too quickly, The Running Man wraps up this entertaining chapter to quickly get back to its more revolutionary message.

Let the action breathe

Despite the film’s penchant for preaching, the action can speak for itself. The Running Man works best when it just wants to be a survival caper.

There are action scenes aplenty. Each set piece feels deserved including one where Richards has to escape an apartment building while wearing only a towel, or the aforementioned booby-trapped house.

The film also allows most of its characters to linger just enough to establish presence for the story. You end up believing who they are and what they stand for.

The Running Man becomes confusing when it wants to become Squid Game Lite. On the other hand, it thrives when the action speaks for the story. In a way, it reminds me of Bullet Train. Though that movie didn’t focus too much on social commentary, it was an enthralling adventure from start to finish. The Running Man is the same. With great action scenes and fleshed-out characters, the remake finds itself a niche against its all-too-dark contemporaries.

Cameras

I thought the Insta360 X4 Air would be easy

Turns out 360 is a whole new challenge

Published

November 11, 2025

Rodneil Quiteles

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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A post shared by Rodneil Quiteles (@rodneil)

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.