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Insta360 X6 vs X5: Is It Worth The Upgrade?
The Insta360 X6 brings bigger sensors, 8K at 50fps, 10-bit colour and 51% more battery life. But the X5 is still a brilliant camera, and it costs less. Here's what's changed, and who should upgrade.
The Insta360 X5 has been my everyday camera since it launched in April 2025, so when the Insta360 X6 arrived on 12 August 2026, I wanted to know one thing: is it actually worth upgrading?
After filming with both, my answer is yes for some people and no for others. The X6 fixes the four things that always held the X5 back: 8-bit footage, a log profile that doesn't hold enough dynamic range, detail that falls away when you zoom in, and noise in low light. But the X5 is still an excellent camera, and it's better value than ever now the X6 is out.
The short answer: if you film at night, grade your footage or shoot long days, the X6 is a big upgrade. If you mostly film in daylight and post straight to social media, the X5 is still brilliant and costs less.
Insta360 X6 vs X5: Specs Side By Side
| Insta360 X6 | Insta360 X5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | August 2026 | April 2025 |
| UK launch price | £619 | £519.99 |
| Sensors | Dual 1/1.1-inch square | Dual 1/1.28-inch |
| Max 360 video | 8K at 50fps | 8K at 30fps |
| 360 photos | 120MP | 72MP |
| Colour | 10-bit, i-Log, Dolby Vision | 8-bit, I-Log |
| Low-light mode | Upgraded PureVideo | PureVideo |
| Battery (rated, 8K30) | About 140 minutes | About 93 minutes |
| Built-in storage | 47GB usable | None |
| Waterproof without a case | 20m | 15m |
| Weight | 196g | 200g |
| Height | 100mm | 124.5mm |
| Replaceable lenses | Yes (Replaceable Lenses 2.0) | Yes |
What The X6 Does Better
Bigger Sensors, Better Low Light
The X6's dual 1/1.1-inch square sensors have about a third more area than the X5's 1/1.28-inch ones, and each pixel takes in far more light. In bright daylight the difference is small. At sunset, at night and indoors, it's where the X6 pulls clearly ahead: scenes that still show grain on the X5 come out cleaner on the X6.
10-Bit Colour And A Proper Log Profile
This is the upgrade I feel most in the edit. The X5 records 8-bit, so a strong colour grade starts to break apart. The X6 records 10-bit colour in every mode, and its new i-Log profile keeps a bright sky and the shadows in the same shot. If you don't grade at all, the X6 is also the first 360 camera with native Dolby Vision, so footage looks cinematic straight out of the camera.
8K At 50fps
The X5 tops out at 8K at 30fps. The X6 goes to 8K at 50fps, so fast motion like cycling, skiing or busy streets stays crisp when you reframe. Photos jump from 72MP to 120MP too.
Much Longer Battery Life
The X6's 2600mAh Xtreme Battery is rated for about 140 minutes of 8K30 recording, against about 93 minutes on the X5. That's 51% longer, and it fast charges to 80% in 24 minutes. One catch: X5 batteries don't fit the X6, so budget for new spares if you upgrade.
Smaller, Tougher, With Built-In Storage
The X6 is 100mm tall against the X5's 124.5mm, so it slips into a pocket far more easily, and it's waterproof to 20m without a case, up from 15m. It adds 47GB of built-in storage as a backup for when you forget your microSD card, and a 2.32-inch OLED screen that stays readable in bright sunlight.
The lenses are better too. Replaceable Lenses 2.0 clip in instead of twisting on, so a swap is quicker, and Insta360 rates them at 300% higher wear resistance than the X5's.
Easier To Control
You can start recording by pressing anywhere on the X6's screen, even with gloves on, or by twisting the selfie stick back and forth twice. Haptic feedback buzzes when recording starts and stops, so you're never guessing when the camera is on the end of a stick.
Where The X5 Still Makes Sense
The X5 isn't suddenly a bad camera. It has PureVideo for night shots, replaceable lenses, InstaFrame and a built-in wind guard, and in good light its 8K footage still looks great, especially on a phone.
- It costs less. The X5 launched at £519.99, £99 less than the X6, and it's often cheaper now the X6 is out.
- You already own the kit. X5 batteries don't fit the X6, and camera-specific accessories like dive cases are made for each model, so switching means buying some of your kit again.
Should You Upgrade From The X5?
Upgrade to the X6 if:
- You film at night, indoors or at sunset a lot
- You colour grade your footage, or want Dolby Vision without editing
- You want 8K at 50fps for fast action
- The X5's battery life has been letting you down
Keep your X5 if:
- You mostly film in daylight and post to social media
- You're happy with your footage straight out of the camera
Price
| UK launch price | US launch price | |
|---|---|---|
| Insta360 X6 | £619 | $699.99 |
| Insta360 X5 | £519.99 | $549.99 |
Prices change, so always check the store before you buy. If you buy either camera 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 X5 if you want the best value. It's still one of the best 360 cameras around, and if you shoot mostly in daylight, you'll be very happy with it.
Buy the Insta360 X6 if you want the best 360 camera you can buy today. Bigger sensors, 10-bit colour, 8K at 50fps and 51% more battery make it the most cinematic 360 camera ever made. For X5 owners who shoot in low light or grade their footage, it's the upgrade you've been waiting for.
Weighing it up against DJI too? Read my Insta360 X6 vs DJI Osmo 360 II comparison, or my full Insta360 X6 review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Insta360 X6 worth upgrading from the X5?
Yes, if you film in low light, grade your footage, want 8K at 50fps or need longer battery life. If you mostly film in daylight and post to social media, the X5 is still excellent and you can happily keep it.
Do Insta360 X5 batteries fit the X6?
No. The X6 uses the new 2600mAh Xtreme Battery, which is a different size to the X5's, so X5 batteries won't fit.
Is the Insta360 X6 smaller than the X5?
Yes. The X6 is 100mm tall against the X5's 124.5mm, and 4g lighter at 196g. It's slightly wider, at 50mm against 46mm.
Does the Insta360 X5 shoot 10-bit?
No. The X5 records 8-bit footage. The X6 records 10-bit colour in every shooting mode, with i-Log and Dolby Vision.
Which has better battery life, the X6 or the X5?
The X6. It's rated for about 140 minutes of 8K30 recording, against about 93 minutes for the X5.
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