In 2024, we reviewed the Hohem iSteady V3 smartphone gimbal, which was an impressive product. If you want to get more details of the V3, and some of the features I won’t mention about the V3 Ultra, here is the link. Now in this review, we have the V3 Ultra, a solid upgrade from the V3. The main new thing about it is the remote controller, there is a touch screen on it now, and the controls are very smooth. So let’s take a look at it in this review.
Unboxing
The box is pretty much the same as before, and the content inside is also the same.
Design
The design is also not changed, still shaped like its previous gen, and the build quality is always top notch. Before we get to the differences, a minor detail I have noticed is the retractable legs. I think they are thicker and firmer, and they claim to be able to support 400g of devices, 100g more than the V3. I think the reason why it has been done this way is that, the camera modules of the Ultra phones are heavier, so the gimbal’s ability to handle the uneven weight balance should be upgraded. Later in the review, we will also try different phones, see what the phones it can support.
Upgrades
Touch Screen VS Buttons
The most noticeable upgrade should be the touch screen, compared to some buttons on the V3. The size and shape of the controller have not changed, and the way it attaches to the gimbal is also magnetic. The up and down buttons are gone, but the joystick and record/mode switch button are kept.
The screen on it is 1.22 inches in size, and it is a colorful one. The main benefits of having a screen are five:
– The UI is very simple, but more like a smart watch, you can pretty much navigate through all the key settings you want on the screen.
– You can control every move through touches. It is much more intuitive than buttons, as we are all used to screens now. You may also want to confirm if there is any lag when using it, I have tried many controls, and it is as precise as button controls.
– The settings can be done on the screen right away. On the V3, if you want to change settings, you might need to go to the App. But on the V3 Ultra, you can simply change the settings on the screen, it not only saves you some time, but also lets you be more confident in things you want to shoot.
– Some controls are more convenient on the small screen. Such as the speed setting, and orientation change.
– The remote controller works within 10m. The most useful occasion is Vlogging, you might be away from the gimbal, but some important moments need to be kept.
AI Tracking
So the AI tracker is still here, with the camera and fill light built in. The fill light still has three color tones, and the max brightness is 110lux at 0.5m. The AI tracker clamps on the gimbal through magnets, but to make sure it stays on firmly, there are still locks besides the magnets. There is a switch on the unit, to turn the AI tracking on or off, this could save some battery on the whole gimbal.
So how is the AI tracking? Is there any upgrade? First of all, Hohem stated the chip used inside, which is the MTK-L06. I didn’t know about this chip, until I saw that it can also be called MediaTek Dimensity 6300. This chip is used in some entry-level smartphones, but it definitely overkill on a gimbal.
In real-life use, I did feel that the overall abilities are better. The tracking is faster I think, I increased my moving speed, and it can still track my face very easily. For some other scenarios, like sports, moving cars, and animals, it can focus on them and track them very well.
The AI tracking’s upgrades rely on two things I think. First, the better camera. It now has a 2MP camera on board, which can help to capture more details of movements. Then the information can be used to train the algorithm, and Hohem claims there were millions of scenarios being used to train it, which can eventually benefit the tracking a lot.
And the AI tracking works within 10m as it claims, and the result I got was 12m, pretty impressive.
360 Degree Pan
Now the gimbal supports 360-degree pan, which can cover any corner around you. If you held the device, you can lock onto people, then follow them anywhere, it won’t lose any angle.
Gesture Controls
As usual, there are many gesture controls offered by Hohem. Such as the classic Ok sign to start tracking and recording, a palm sign to stop it. Then there is also a framing gesture, which tells the camera where you want yourself in the frame, and then it will do the job.
The max distance of the gesture control was 3 meters as we tested the V3, and it is 5m on the V3 as we tested, again beyond the official claim.
Stabilization
If you have followed the camera capabilities of smartphones, you know that the chips play a significant role in stabilization. And since it has a better chip inside, I think the performance is better. And surprisingly, it can support all those Ultra phones pretty well.
App Support
Many regular people are not good at framing, so in the Home Joy App, there are many templates you can follow, to make your own stunning videos. If a device is so good to use, then it will be better to use it in any App with the camera, right? So right now, it can support a lot of Apps. In those Apps, the AI tracking can be enabled, and you can also use the circle to search better.
Battery Life
Although the battery is slightly bigger than the V3, the run time is 5 hours shorter. I think it might be because of the small screen, which might consume more power. This is not a deal breaker, because the run time with AI tracking enabled is still 4 hours, and that is the most important.
Summary
So the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra has not changed much compared to the last gen, but the mini screen has brought a lot of convenience to the device. And the chip makes the AI tracking faster. Also it supports 360-degree pan, which can help with covering more angles. With these, I think the V3 Ultra is offering some solid upgrades. If you are a pro videographer, or just want to record daily life better, I highly recommend you to use it. The official shop currently running a New Product Tester campaign. Apply on the official website for a chance to become an official New Product Tester and receive the latest products for free. And here is the links for the product:
Official Shop: https://bit.ly/3GPMgGM
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mBEQpR
The Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra will be available on Best Buy on September 14.
