The Insta360 X5 is here with larger sensors, a Triple AI chip, and an overall bravado that breaks the mold in 360° cameras at a starting price of ₱32,990.
Action cameras have long carved out their niche by doing what your typical cameras simply can’t. They’ve become the adventurous cousin to vlogging DSLRs and smartphones, built for moments that demand more grit, movement, and spontaneity. They dive into oceans, race through winding roads, and in the simplest of things, put you into perspective as tiny blips against the vast wonders of the world.
Among today’s heavy hitters, the Insta360 stands tall. This highly mountable, heavy-duty 360° camera disguised as a compact handheld device is often the culprit behind those insane stunt shots you scroll past on TikTok, wondering how the heck they were filmed. We have its signature dual-lens setup to thank behind the scenes—one front, one rear—capturing sweeping, revolving shots of the entire scene. It’s also versatile in the sense that you can ditch the 360 mode for a bit and use both lenses independently.
When the Insta360 X4 dropped, it was an instant hit and easily tagged as the most user-friendly among its peers. Its signature invisible selfie stick lets anyone shoot unfiltered moments that feel straight out of a Red Bull ad. While it may not be the best in image quality, it delivers an immersive fisheye shot that pulls you right into the action even in a still frame.
So when word got out that Insta360 was working on the X5, fans went wild.
On April 23, they finally dropped what many speculated would be the smartest, toughest release yet, packed with next-level features and powerful AI chip capabilities. It also scored higher on ease of use and practicality, perfect for beginners, yet never dull for seasoned content creators.
Did Insta360 X5 just step out of its former category and into a whole new league, making us rethink everything we thought we knew about 360 cameras?
For a starting price of ₱32,990, maybe. PhilSTAR Tech finds out.
Insta360 X5 specs in a nutshell:
▪️1/1.28″ Sensors – 144% larger than the X4’s for better light capture and low light performance
▪️Triple AI Chip System – Enhanced image processing and reduced noise in any condition
▪️8K30fps 360° Video with 11K Supersampling – Sharp, immersive video with minimal quality loss
▪️InstaFrame Mode – Simultaneously shoots a ready-to-share flat video and full 360° footage
▪️Replaceable Lenses – Easily swap out damaged lenses on the go
What the Bigger Sensors Mean for the Image Quality
Okay, now we have to be a bit more meticulous when dropping claims about its image quality. The X5’s 1/1.28″ sensors are 144% larger than what you got on the X4, which actually translates to noticeably better light capture, especially in dimmer scenes. Shots have more clarity, less grain, and most importantly, feel more real. Paired with a Triple AI Chip system (that’s one 5nm chip and two imaging-specific ones), the image processing is sharp, clean, and efficient, handling everything from fast motion to low-light scenes without choking.
The 8K30fps 360° video looks equally as stunning, supersampled from 11K, so you retain that crispy detail without bloating your files. Yes, resolution matters, but the real star is how the footage handles movement and light. It kinda veers away from that “cool footage” territory and just gives you something to remember the moment.
The New 360° Experience
One of the most refreshing updates isn’t about hardware, but the InstaFrame mode. You now get two files: one instant flat video that’s ready to share, and another in full 360°. That means less time editing and more time actually doing stuff. Whether you want a fixed POV or a selfie mode that keeps you in frame, it’s all there, done in one tap. It’s genuinely useful, not just another feature that sounds nice on paper.
And yes, the invisible selfie stick effect is still here with that magic. It’s that same, cinematic floating-camera vibe that makes your footage feel like it was shot by a drone crew.
Durability Done Right
This is where Insta360 finally got real. Anyone who’s owned a 360° camera knows the pain of scratched lenses due to inevitable casualties of all those high-risk, devil-may-care shots we love to chase. The X5 is built tougher—new high-strength, scratch-resistant glass, and swappable lenses that don’t require sending your camera in for repairs. You break a lens? Swap it. Done. That’s a level of practicality we don’t see enough of in action cams.
You’ve also got an upgraded wind guard for better audio, a bigger 2400mAh battery (nearly 3 hours of runtime in endurance mode), fast-charging, and solid IP68 waterproofing without a dive case. It’s those cumulative improvements that make this model feel more “complete” than its predecessors.
Controls That Don’t Get in the Way
Shooting with the X5 feels less like operating a gadget and more like just… recording. Twist to Shoot is clever. You twist the stick, and it starts recording. Voice control, gesture recognition, remote pairing all work. Nothing revolutionary with everything coming together, but it’s nice to appreciate a seamless functionality that doesn’t slow you down.
Post-Production For All Kinds of Users
Remember that part when we said that Insta360 remains unmatched in user-friendliness? This time, it gets more intuitive with the revamped AI-powered mobile app. There are tools you can play with as a pro or if you just want a cool clip for an Instagram story. You can pick your level of control from Dewarping, Quick Edit, AI Edit, or Shot Lab. The desktop Studio version is free (bless), and Insta360+ cloud features make it dead simple to back up and share footage.
No learning curve that feels like a tech class, just tools that respect your time.
Prices and Available Bundles
Customers can choose from four official bundles, each designed to meet different shooting needs:
▪️Insta360 X5 Standard Bundle – PHP 32,990: Includes the core Insta360 X5 unit for everyday use. Standard Bundle includes 1x Insta360 X5, does not include microSD card.
▪️Insta360 X5 Essentials Bundle – PHP 39,390: Offers additional protective gear and accessories, ideal for users who want extended protection and convenience. Includes 1x Insta360 X5, 1x Additional Battery, 1x Utility Fast Charge Case, 1x 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, 1x Standard Lens Guards, 1x Lens Cap and 1x Carry Case.
▪️Insta360 X5 Motorcycle Bundle – PHP 37,890: Designed for riders, this bundle includes motorcycle-specific mounts and charging covers that enable hands-free, on-the-go capture. This includes 1x Insta360 X5, 1x Lens Cap, 1x Action Invisible Selfie Stick and 1x Heavy Duty Clamp.
▪️Insta360 X5 Cycling Bundle – PHP 37,490: Tailored for cyclists, it comes with lightweight mounts and accessories that make it easy to film dynamic riding footage from multiple angles. It includes 1x Insta360 X5, 1x Lens Cap, 1x 114cm Invisible Selfie Stick, 1x Bike Computer Mount (Independent Handlebars) and 1x Bike Kit.
All bundles are compatible with a wide range of Insta360 accessories, including the Invisible Dive Case, helmet mounts, and Bluetooth headset integration for voice control and immersive audio recording.
Final Take:
The Insta360 X5 isn’t flashy for the sake of being flashy. It feels like the result of listening to creators, to hobbyists, even to people who just want clean footage of their kids or dogs without a five-hour edit. It won’t replace your main camera for every use case, but for immersive, spontaneous, memory-rich footage? It’s the new go-to.
If you’re already in the Insta360 ecosystem, the X5 feels like the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. If you’re new? There’s never been a better time to start.
Get yours here:
▪️Shopee: Insta360 PH;
▪️Lazada: Insta360Philippines
▪️TikTok Shop: Insta360 Philippines
