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Insta360 X6 vs X4: Is It Worth The Upgrade?
The Insta360 X4 is two generations old now. The X6 has roughly three times the sensor area, 10-bit colour, replaceable lenses and almost double the battery life at 8K. Here's how they compare, and whether it's time to upgrade.
The Insta360 X4 was the first Insta360 X camera to shoot 8K when it launched in April 2024, and plenty of people are still filming with one. I've used it a lot (it's one of the cameras I made my cheat sheets for), so I know exactly where it struggles: low light, colour grading, and the worry of scratching a lens you can't replace.
The Insta360 X6, launched on 12 August 2026, fixes all three. Here's how the two compare, and whether the upgrade is worth it for you.
The short answer: if you're still on an X4, the X6 is a huge upgrade in almost every way. Only stick with the X4 if you mostly film in daylight and want to save money.
Insta360 X6 vs X4: Specs Side By Side
| Insta360 X6 | Insta360 X4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2026 | April 2024 |
| US launch price | $699.99 | $499.99 |
| Sensors | Dual 1/1.1-inch square | Dual 1/2-inch |
| Max 360 video | 8K at 50fps | 8K at 30fps |
| Single-lens video | 5K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps | 4K at 60fps |
| 360 photos | 120MP | 72MP |
| Colour | 10-bit, i-Log, Dolby Vision | 8-bit, no log profile |
| PureVideo low-light mode | Yes | No |
| Battery (rated, 8K30) | About 140 minutes | About 75 minutes |
| Built-in storage | 47GB usable | None |
| Waterproof without a case | 20m | 10m |
| Weight | 196g | 203g |
| Height | 100mm | 123.6mm |
| Screen | 2.32-inch OLED | 2.5-inch touchscreen |
| Lenses | Replaceable | Fixed, with removable lens guards |
What The X6 Does Better
Roughly Three Times The Sensor Area
This is the big one. The X4 uses 1/2-inch sensors; the X6 has 1/1.1-inch square sensors with roughly three times the area. Bigger sensors capture more light, and you see it most when the light drops. Night scenes that turn into a noisy, smeary mess on the X4 come out clean on the X6, helped by its PureVideo low-light mode, which the X4 doesn't have.
10-Bit Colour, i-Log And Dolby Vision
The X4 records 8-bit with no log profile, so there's not much room to grade. The X6 records 10-bit colour in every mode with the new i-Log profile, so you can push a colour grade hard without the image breaking apart. And if you'd rather not edit at all, it's the first 360 camera with native Dolby Vision.
Replaceable Lenses
On the X4, a scratched lens means sending the camera away for a repair. The lens guards help, but they're one more thing to carry and fit. The X6's Replaceable Lenses 2.0 clip in and out in a couple of minutes, so a scratch is a cheap swap at the side of the road instead of a repair bill.
Almost Double The Battery Life At 8K
Insta360 rates the X4 at 135 minutes, but that's at 5.7K30. At 8K30, it's about 75 minutes. The X6 is rated for about 140 minutes at 8K30, and fast charges to 80% in 24 minutes.
Smaller, Tougher, More Waterproof
The X6 is 100mm tall against the X4's 123.6mm, and 7g lighter. It's waterproof to 20m without a case, double the X4's 10m, and it adds 47GB of built-in storage as a backup for when you forget your microSD card.
More Detail And Smoother Motion
Both shoot 8K, but the X6 does it at 50fps instead of 30fps, so fast action stays crisp when you reframe, and its bigger sensors hold more detail when you zoom in. Photos jump from 72MP to 120MP, and single-lens video goes up to 5K at 60fps.
Better Audio And Easier Controls
The X6 has windproof 360 microphones built in, where the X4 needs stick-on wind muffs. It pairs straight to Insta360's Mic Pro and Mic Air over Bluetooth. And you can start recording by pressing anywhere on the screen, even with gloves on, with haptic feedback telling you when recording starts and stops.
Where The X4 Still Makes Sense
- It's cheaper. The X4 launched at $499.99 in 2024, and it's often discounted now.
- It's still good in daylight. In bright light, 8K30 from the X4 still looks great on a phone.
- A slightly bigger screen. The X4's 2.5-inch touchscreen is a touch larger than the X6's 2.32-inch one, although the X6's OLED is easier to read in sunlight.
Should You Upgrade From The X4?
Upgrade to the X6 if:
- You film in low light, at night or indoors
- You colour grade, or want footage that looks cinematic straight out of the camera
- You're worried about scratching a lens you can't replace
- The X4's battery runs out before you're finished filming
Keep your X4 if:
- You mostly film in good daylight and post to social media
- You're on a tight budget
Price
| Launch price | |
|---|---|
| Insta360 X6 | £619 / $699.99 |
| Insta360 X4 | $499.99 |
The X4 is often discounted now, so check the store for the latest price. If you buy through the links on this page, Insta360 adds a free accessory to your order at no extra cost. See my Insta360 promo codes page for the current offer.
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Buy the Insta360 X4 if you're on a tight budget and mostly film in daylight. It still shoots good 8K footage for social media.
Buy the Insta360 X6 if you want the best 360 camera you can buy today. Compared with the X4, it's better in almost every way: far bigger sensors, 10-bit colour, replaceable lenses, almost double the battery at 8K and twice the waterproofing. If you're upgrading from an X4, you'll feel the difference straight away.
Want the full story on the X6? Read my Insta360 X6 review, or see how it compares with DJI in my Insta360 X6 vs DJI Osmo 360 II comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Insta360 X6 worth upgrading from the X4?
Yes, for most people. The X6 has roughly three times the sensor area, 10-bit colour, replaceable lenses, almost double the battery life at 8K and twice the waterproofing. Only keep the X4 if you mostly film in daylight and want to save money.
Does the Insta360 X4 have replaceable lenses?
No. The X4's lenses are fixed, with removable lens guards to protect them. A scratched X4 lens needs a repair, while the X6's lenses can be swapped at home.
Do Insta360 X4 accessories work with the X6?
Anything with a standard 1/4-20 screw thread, like selfie sticks and tripods, works on both. X4 batteries, dive cases and other camera-specific accessories don't fit the X6.
Which has better battery life, the X6 or the X4?
The X6. It's rated for about 140 minutes of 8K30 recording, against about 75 minutes for the X4 at 8K30.
Is the Insta360 X4 still worth buying in 2026?
Only if you find it at a good discount and you mostly film in daylight. If you can stretch your budget, the X6 is a far better camera.
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