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Today's smartphone cameras are so good that you can be a content creator without spending thousands on a dedicated camera. The optical image stabilization they have is also very good, but you can capture more creative shots and shoot in more challenging conditions with a smartphone gimbal.
Insta360's latest smartphone gimbal, the Flow 2 Pro is one of the best options available, with advanced features and a reasonable price.
Also: I tested the best iPhones in 2025: Should you buy the 17, Air, or Pro Max?
I've been using the original Insta360 Flow gimbal since 2023, primarily to capture B-roll for my e-bike and running shoe reviews. It's a decent gimbal, but I have to extend the handle and tripod legs to fit my hand, and one leg broke so the tripod was no longer functional. I also had to remove my phone cases to use the extended clamp connector plate so that was a bit cumbersome.
The first thing I noticed about the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro smartphone gimbal was the longer handle with silicone grip on the front. The tripod was redesigned so that three metal legs extend down three inches from the base and then out to create a solid platform that holds my iPhone 17 Pro Max even when the telescoping stick, which extends out eight inches, is fully deployed.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
In addition to the improved handle design and tripod stability, the creator bundle includes the new magnetic phone mount that attaches to the back of the iPhone's MagSafe connector. The magnetic phone mount also serves as a reliable kickstand for your phone with a metal ring that extends down to prop up your phone in both portrait and landscape orientation.
Support for Apple DockKit means that more than 200 iOS apps work with the gimbal without any additional accessories, allowing creators to use their favorite apps with the gimbal as the on-site camera operator. I personally prefer to use the Insta360 app with the gimbal and that provides the ultimate experience with its Deep Track 4.0 tracking system, but the great thing about this kit is that Insta360 supports your own preferences.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
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