(Pocket-lint) – DJI is back with another version of its class-leading smartphone gimbal, the Osmo Mobile 6. With this release, the brand returned to its original naming convention after three generations of his ‘OM’ brand. We’re not sure why the naming changed, but this latest model offers more than just a new name.
The DJI OM 5 was one of the best smartphone gimbals I’ve tested so far, so I was excited to get my hands on the latest model. But in a world where built-in electronic image stabilization offers gimbal-like smoothness, especially on the latest iPhones, is this accessory worth the hassle? rice field.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is lightweight, compact, easy to set up and easy to use. With so many advantages over its predecessor, it’s arguably one of the best smartphone gimbals money can buy.
However, for casual users, it’s not as necessary as it used to be. Most people are happy with the built-in stabilization features in their smartphones that can provide excellent results without the need for additional equipment.
Owning an Osmo Mobile 6 has many benefits for content creators and anyone looking to get more out of their TikTok. ActiveTrack 5.0 is an incredibly powerful tool, especially if you’re shooting yourself. I also like the motion controls for creating timelapses.
The audience is definitely more niche than it has been in years past, but if you’re one of those who can make the most of its potential, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is probably the one to buy.
- good ergonomics
- convenient extension pole
- long battery life
- fast setup
- convenient controls
- powerful motor
- limited bread range
- The fight against very lightweight mobile phones
- most people don’t need it
design
- Unfolded dimensions: 276 x 111.5 x 99mm
- Folded dimensions: 189 x 84.5 x 44mm
- Weight: 309 grams
- Built-in extension rod, magnet mount system
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is all about convenience. It’s very compact and lightweight, but the new locking mechanism keeps the arms from flapping around while you’re carrying it around. The handle is more ergonomic and comfortable to hold than its predecessor. All controls are conveniently placed, making one-handed shooting very easy.
The darker gray that DJI has chosen for Mobile 6 gives it a slightly more professional look than the previous generation, and the new controls look even more professional. There are new wheels available for .
Another new addition is the status screen above the controls. It’s not really a screen per se, but a symbol lit by a series of LEDs, which is much more useful than one might initially expect. Here you can check the battery status, record tally and shooting mode. Especially useful if you prefer to shoot with an app like Filmic Pro instead of the DJI Mimo app.
Setup is very easy. Simply twist the arm to unlock and unfold the device’s single hinge. When you do, the gimbal will automatically turn on and you can mount your phone with the same great magnetic mounting system we’ve seen on previous models.In seconds you can go from stowed to shooting.
For iPhone users, the experience can be made even simpler with a feature DJI calls Quick Launch. This means that when your phone is attached to the magnetic mount, a notification will pop up and you will have instant access to the DJI Mimo app. Unfortunately, I didn’t have an iPhone handy to try this out, but it takes him a second or so to manually open the app on Android.
The Osmo Mobile 6 features the same pull-out selfie stick as its predecessor. Some may dismiss it as a gimmick, but I’ve found it really useful for achieving certain angles, especially low-lying tracking shots.
performance
- Supported model weight 170-290g
- Support for horizontal and vertical shooting
In contrast to many older gimbal designs, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 feels like a vertical, video-first approach. This is good news for us, as most of the content we shoot on mobile phones is for vertical platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. When first booted, the device will be in vertical mode, but you can easily switch to horizontal mode by double-clicking the camera switch button.
The Osmo Mobile 6’s motor has been upgraded to accommodate larger and heavier phones that are becoming more common, like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. We initially started testing with the Google Pixel 5, thinking a lighter smartphone would work better with the gimbal, but we were wrong, as the Pixel 5 is about 20 grams below its supported weight range. , which turned out to produce wobbly and unpleasant images.
After realizing my mistake, I was able to get much better results using the Oppo Reno 8 Pro (183g) and the heaviest phone, the Black Shark 5 Pro (253g). The majority of smartphones on the market fall within their supported weight range, but it’s worth double-checking before you part with your cash.
Stabilization results were essentially on par with previous generations of DJI smartphone gimbals. The brand clearly considered what worked well years ago and is now working on improving the user experience and adding features. It’s built-in image stabilization. The vast majority of users will not want to use gimbals because they are so effective now.
However, the gimbal results are definitely still excellent when it comes to smoothness. It’s not as clear as it used to be – and we can only imagine this gap narrowing. Our results are most impressive in low-light situations. Electronic image stabilization struggles here due to the slow shutter speed required, and the footage from the gimbal is much more impressive.
Users of phones like the Sony Xperia 1 IV can shoot in stunning 4K 120 fps without the need for stabilization. You will benefit most from such products. But the gimbal isn’t just about video smoothness. All the other tricks will be covered in the next section.
Software and features
- DJI Mimo App with ActiveTrack 5.0
- Tutorial, Timelapse, Hyperlapse, Panorama
- beauty filter
The Osmo Mobile 6 uses the same DJI Mimo app as previous gimbals and comes with the same extensive feature set that owners of previous models are familiar with. This includes timelapse and hyperlapse recording, the ability to create panoramas and clone yourself, and an extensive library of tutorials and shot inspiration.
One of my favorite features of DJI gimbals is ActiveTrack, which has improved in this generation. According to DJI, the latest version is more stable in long-distance tracking and better at tracking subjects that turn sideways or spin.
ActiveTrack 5.0 works by default when the selfie camera is activated, with your face centered in the frame. With the rear camera, you can activate it by drawing a box around your subject or by tapping the trigger on the handle to start and stop tracking.
With human subjects, ActiveTrack performed almost flawlessly throughout the test. For objects it’s a bit more hit or miss, but in most cases it does an excellent job. I’ve found it works best with contrasting colored objects, but it can easily get confused when trying to track rocks on a gray day.
Like the last few models of DJI gimbals, there are built-in beauty features, which are enabled by default on the selfie camera. We were initially surprised to see ourselves with exaggerated eye sizes and smooth skin. I can imagine it might be more appealing to some people, but it doesn’t work for us, so we left it off.
Casual users may not find smartphone gimbals as necessary as they once were, but content creators and social media enthusiasts still have their place. If you can take advantage of its features, the Osmo Mobile 6 won’t disappoint.
By Luke Baker. Edited by Verity Burns.
