Insta360 GO Ultra First Impresisons: Tiny Camera, Big Ambitions

Unlike the pill-shaped look of earlier GO models, the Ultra has a rounded-square design about 1.8 inches on each side. It’s compact, pocket-friendly, and feels sturdy enough to trust in adventurous situations. The built-in magnet makes it ridiculously easy to snap onto mounts, clothing, or even metallic surfaces. No fiddly setups required. And with the included accessories like the magnetic pendant and hat clip, you can get creative with mounting in ways that feel effortless.

The Action Pod deserves a special mention. Not only does it give you a handy flip-up touchscreen for framing shots (something I missed on older GO models), but it also extends battery life and doubles as a dock. It feels like Insta360 finally nailed the balance between “ultra-compact” and “actually usable.”

We covered the leaked details in... well, detail, in our Insta360 Go Ultra leaks article. Check it out for more in-depth specs. 

The GO Ultra’s biggest flex is its new 1/1.28-inch sensor. Bigger sensor = more light, and more light = better image quality. You notice it most in low-light shots, where footage looks smoother and less grainy than before.

Video-wise, it’s now rocking 4K at 60fps, which makes everything look buttery smooth, whether you’re running, biking, or skating downtown. For slow-mo fans, it also shoots 1080p at 240fps, great stats for capturing those split-second moments in sharp detail.

There’s also Active HDR, which helps balance tricky lighting conditions. Overall, Insta360 Go Ultra handles transitions better than expected for a camera this size.

Here’s where things get even better: the Ultra finally supports swappable microSD cards (up to 2TB!). No more sweating over limited built-in storage. On top of that, its 500mAh battery gives around 70 minutes of shooting, but pair it with the Action Pod and you’re looking at close to 200 minutes.

Charging is crazy fast too; it goes from 0 to 80% in about 12 minutes. That’s the kind of feature you don’t appreciate until you’re trying to top up before heading out the door.

The GO Ultra is all about convenience. It’s small, light, and almost disappears once mounted. The new ambient light sensor helps keep colors balanced and flicker-free, which makes footage feel more polished straight out of the camera.

That said, it’s not flawless. The image quality is a big step up from previous GO models, sure, but it still doesn’t quite match the sharpness and detail of larger action cams like GoPro’s Hero series or DJI’s Action line. Unfortunately, with the new design, Insta360 changed the mounting system, meaning older accessories aren’t compatible. Something to keep in mind if you’ve invested in past gear.

Waterproofing is another small caveat. The pod itself has an exposed USB-C port, and for crystal-clear underwater shots, you’ll need the extra Aqua Lens accessory (sold separately).

The Insta360 GO Ultra starts at $449.99, with a Creator Bundle at around $499. That’s definitely in “premium action cam” territory. At this price, you’re not just comparing it to its own predecessors, but also to the heavyweights: GoPro and DJI. 

Before you buy, consider which of these two you value more:

• If you value portability, ease of use, and creative mounting options, the GO Ultra is worth your buck. It’s one of the most user-friendly action cams I’ve handled, and the freedom it gives you to shoot anywhere, anytime, is hard to beat.
• If you’re after absolute top-tier video quality or already own a bunch of Insta360 accessories, you might skip this one.