It's time to start paying attention to the Insta360 X6. I'm confident we're about to witness a big evolution for the next Insta360 X Series. There is a lot of pressure to deliver a significant leap forward.
The 360-camera market has been heating up in 2025, with major competitors stepping up their game. DJI has entered the arena with the Osmo 360, reportedly featuring a native 8K resolution at up to 50fps and stunning 10-bit video. And not to be outdone, GoPro is back in the mix with the GoPro MAX 2, bringing its own new features and a fresh challenge to the 360 space.
With this newfound competition, the Insta360 X6 can't just be an update - a evolution is necessary to maintain its position at the top and push the boundaries of immersive content creation. As the successor to the game-changing Insta360 X5, the X6 is poised to redefine what's possible in a pocket-sized 360-camera.
This article is your ultimate guide to the Insta360 X6 rumors, where we're breaking down the whispers and sorting through the speculation. You'll find the answers to all your burning questions right here:
- When will the Insta360 X6 be revealed?
- What mind-blowing specs and features will the X6 bring to the table?
- What are creators and enthusiasts hoping to see from this new device?
- Will the Insta360 X6 finally offer 10-bit video and 10K 360-video resolution or even more?
Join us as we dive deep into the leaks and wishes surrounding the Insta360 X6. Prepare to be amazed!
Insta360 X6 release date
There were almost exactly two years between the previous models Insta360 ONE X2 and Insta360 X3. The release period between the Insta360 X3 and Insta360 X4 has already decreased to approximately 1.5 years. Actually, the gap between the Insta360 X4 and the Insta360 X5 was even shorter, dropping to just one year.
- Release of the Insta360 X: October 2018
- Release of the Insta360 ONE X2: October 2020
- Release of the Insta360 X3: September 2022
- Release of the Insta360 X4: April 2024
- Release of the Insta360 X5: April 2025
- Release of the Insta360 X6: April 2026?
You can find an overview of all Insta360 milestones here: Insta360 Milestones
It's safe to assume the release cycle will stick to one year, which would put the Insta360 X6 on track for an April 2026 launch.
This accelerated timeline is driven by increasing competition. With major players like DJI and GoPro now firmly in the 360-camera market, the pressure is on. Insta360 needs to innovate faster than ever to stay ahead. The arrival of the DJI Osmo 360 with its superior specs in some areas already puts pressure on the current Insta360 X5, making a quick response with the X6 highly likely.
Insta360 X6 Specs
The change from the Insta360 X3 to the Insta360 X4 involved a significant technical update. The Insta360 X4 introduced 8K 360-video and was a game-changer for the Insta360 X series. The change from the Insta360 X4 to the Insta360 X5 was a significant step forward in image quality, even if it didn't increase the resolution. The Insta360 X5 delivered a larger sensor and improved low-light performance, a crucial upgrade that made the camera far more capable in challenging conditions. However, the video resolution stayed at 8K, leaving many to wonder if a breakthrough was still to come.This brings us to the big questions for the Insta360 X6. Will this be the camera that finally unlocks 10K video? With the market now more competitive than ever, it's widely speculated that the X6 will need to make a bold leap forward. It's also expected to feature an even larger sensor and professional-grade low-light capabilities to reclaim its top spot.
In my estimation, the Insta360 X6 will likely stay at an 8K resolution, but with a massive upgrade to image quality. I believe we'll see a much larger sensor - possibly a 1-inch sensor - which would be a transformative leap for a camera this size. We can also expect a significant boost to the frame rate, with 8K at 60fps being a strong possibility. What's more, the X6 will almost certainly introduce 10-bit 360-video, which would be a huge step forward for professional color grading. All of these rumored features would collectively make the X6 an enormous leap forward for the series.
| Insta360 Specs | Insta360 X3 | Insta360 X4 | Insta360 X5 | Insta360 X6 (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video Resolution | 5.7K @ 30fps | 8K @ 30fps | 8K @ 30fps | 8K @ 60fps (10-bit) |
| Photo Resolution | 72MP | 72MP | 100MP | 120MP |
| Sensor Size | ½" | ½" | 1/1.28" | 1" |
| Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.9 | f/2.0 | f/1.8 |
| Price | ~ $250 | ~ $350 | ~ $500 | ~ $600+ |
Of course, there are many other technical specifications, but these are the most important ones from my point of view.
Insta360 X6 Design
What will certainly remain similar is the flat elongated design. This design offers advantages in operation. For example, the Insta360 X5 introduced a large 2.5" touchscreen, which I think will remain similar with the Insta360 X6.The weight will also be similar to the Insta360 X5 at about 200 grams. It's possible that the Insta360 X6 will try to make the design a bit more compact. We hope this will be the new trend in the market, especially since the DJI Osmo 360 is already smaller and more portable than the Insta360 X5, weighing in at just 183g. Hopefully, we'll see the X6 embrace this shift toward smaller, more pocketable cameras.
This would have advantages in stitching (because the two lenses are closer together) and a lighter weight would make it more comfortable to carry on the selfie stick. A realistic assumption would be that the weight is reduced from 200g to 180g. Let's be surprised by the design of the Insta360 X6.
Design comparision:
While the final design of the Insta360 X6 is still a mystery, we sincerely hope it retains one of its predecessor's most loved features: Changeable lenses
This feature is so popular because it offers one huge benefit. The crucially for an action 360-camera, is it's durability. If a lens gets scratched or damaged during a shoot, you can simply replace the lens instead of having to repair or buy an entirely new camera. This saves users time and money, making it a truly pro-level feature. It's highly probable that Insta360 will retain this popular feature on the Insta360 X6.
Wait or buy?
The question most likely asked by many who are now searching for the Insta360 X6: "Should I wait for the new Insta360 X6 or should I buy the Insta360 X5 now?"
Here I can only say one thing:
- Do not wait, because ultimately no one knows exactly when the Insta360 X6 will be introduced. The Insta360 X5 is and will remain a top 360 camera even after the introduction of the Insta360 X6.
- Don't let time pass, start creating and learning right away. It's always better to get active now, than to wait again. Everything you learn in this time, you will otherwise lose by waiting. You can also assume that the Insta360 X6 will certainly be more expensive. So don't think too long and get your Insta360 X5 now!
Here is a showcase video where you can see the creative uses of an Insta360 camera. No matter if it's the Insta360 X3, the Insta360 X4, the Insta360 X5or the new Insta360 X6.
Here's a selection of previous models, all of which are excellent 360-degree cameras:
Insta360 X4
A top entry-level 360 camera with excellent image quality and numerous features.
Explore Deal
Insta360 X3
Perfect for first-time users and those coming how start into the world of 360-videos.
Explore DealWhat other rumors are there about the Insta360 X6:
General improvements
The Insta360 X6 could significantly outperform the Insta360 X5 if the following 3 parameters were improved. Even if only slight improvements come, these would make a significant difference:
- Bigger Sensor
- Higher resolution
- Higher bitrate
- Update to 10 bit 360-video
Bigger Sensor
A larger sensor with the same resolution has the following main advantages:
- Better image quality and sharpness of detail
- Better low-light performance
A larger sensor would greatly enhance low-light performance. This could further enhance the already strong low-light performance of the Insta360 X5. This could result in a massive improvement across the board: superior low-light performance with far less noise, a wider dynamic range for capturing more detail in both shadows and highlights, and overall sharper, cleaner images.
Higher resolution
A real higher resolution for the Insta360 X5 would be great. Thus, the quality of the reframed video could be significantly improved. Here is a short explanation of what that means:
- While the Insta360 ONE X4 records the entire 360° environment with 8K resolution and only a small section is used, the resolution is reduced. This is also called reframing. For example, if only a third is shown, the 8K resolution is reduced by one-third and is then only ~2.7K.
- At 10K, this would increase the resolution from 2.7K to about 3.3K, which comes close to 4K. The difference from 2.7K to 4K would be an increase in pixels of over +50%, which would mean significantly better video quality.
However, this only makes sense if the 10K resolution also records more information and is not just up-scaled. Frankly, I'm skeptical that the Insta360 X6 will push the resolution to 10K. It seems more probable that the emphasis will be placed on a larger sensor. However, we'll have to wait and see what the official announcement reveals.
Higher Bitrate
I have already explained above why a larger sensor and resolution would be good. A higher video bitrate would also improve the video quality.
In the case of 360-videos, the bitrate is the number of bits recorded per second. Since the term byte (in particular megabyte) is more familiar, we use it here. The converting factor is eight. 1 byte is equal to 8 bit. If a 360-camera can record videos at 100Mbps (=Megabits per second) for example, this means that 12.5 MB/s (=Megabytes per second) of video data is written to the memory card.
The higher the bitrate per second, the better the quality of the video. It is possible, if you record a 360-video in 8K with a low bitrate, that a video recorded with "only" 5.7K will have a better quality. So the bitrate criterion should not be neglected.
Especially when buying the memory card for the 360° camera, the biterate must be considered. Therefore, the paramter bitrate should also always be taken into consideration. If the bitrate is increased on the Insta360 X6, this would result in higher quality 360 videos. The Insta360 X5's current maximum bitrate for 360 video is 200 Mbps with the H.265 codec. A bump to 250 Mbps would offer a noticeable improvement in image quality.
Update to 10bit 360-video
Switching from 8-bit to 10-bit video would be a huge leap for the Insta360 X6, as it's not just about more colors - it's about more data. While 8-bit video can only display 16.7 million colors, 10-bit video unlocks over one billion colors.
This massive increase in color depth is invaluable for color grading. You can push the colors, exposure, and contrast of your 360-degree footage much further in post-production without causing ugly banding in smooth gradients, like a clear sky. The result is a more professional-looking video with smoother transitions, more natural skin tones, and significantly higher overall quality.
If these 4 parameters (higher resolution, higher bitrate, larger sensor, update to 10bit video) are improved on the Insta360 X6, I'll be very happy, because we'll have a 360-camera beast. We'll see what really comes of it.
Desirable Insta360 X6 improvements
Besides the already above defined specifications of the Insta360 X6, which are very likely from my point of view, there are some other improvements which would be really desirable:
- Stiching
While the Insta360 X5 already boasts impressive stitching, further refinements would be a welcome improvement on the X6.
- Frame rate/ slow motion
It would also be great if Insta360 would increase the frame rate and resolution of 360 videos. With the X3 and the ONE X2, a maximum of 360-video with 3K and 100fps is possible. The Insta360 X4 has made significant strides in slow-motion capabilities, enabling users to capture 4K footage at 100fps and achieve Bullet Time effects at a maximum of 240fps. The Insta360 X5 once again improved its slow-motion capabilities. The X5 allows for 360-degree video at 4K @ 120fps and even Bullet Time Shots at 3K up to 240fps.
An increase to 8K @ 60fps or 5.7K @ 120fps at the X6 would be terrific. This would allow users to create stunning 360-SloMo videos.
Here is a 360 SloMo sample video created with the Insta360 X4:
- Dual SD card
As video resolution and bitrate increase, the data rate also increases massively. Micro SD cards are improving all the time, but the high amount of data generated by 360 videos could bring the micro SD cards currently available on the market to their limit. A micro dual SD card slot would be a remedy. Here, the individual videos can be stored on different SD cards. In terms of user-friendliness, however, there are a few arguments against this. The user would always have to read two memory cards in a dual SD slot. Therefore, I estimated the probabilities to be very low here as well.
Which of the rumors & wishes come true, we will see when the Insta360 X6 is released!
