Your ticket to premium video on your smartphone

The versatility and capabilities of smartphone cameras have exploded over the past decade. almost all our favorite camera phones today supply at least three lenses, and as some photographers say, the best camera is the one you have with you. This makes the smartphone in your pocket one of the best tools for jump-starting your content creation or cinematic journey.

However, steady, deliberate movement is the hallmark of great cinematography. A good smartphone holder ensures stable video in-camera instead of relying on upscaling in post-processing or platform/slots to stabilize your device. DJI’s Osmo Mobile series has been hailed as the epitome of convenience, offering one-handed control and stable video. The new Osmo Mobile 6 promises to outshine its predecessors, and I’ve been using it extensively to test it out. Let’s just say, I was not let down.

Selection of personnel

DJI Osmo Mobile 6

8.5/10

DJI’s latest mobile gimbal combines practical features such as gesture control and object tracking. The device has a pocketable form factor without sacrificing convenience. As such, it can be a great travel companion or an alternative to larger film camera setups in challenging environments, all at a reasonable price.

pluses

minuses

• The companion app is not available in the Play Store

• The extension rod feels tight

• Magnetic phone clip, prone to scratches

Price, availability and specifications

Sale in all major stores

DJI’s latest smartphone gimbal offers an eclectic mix of desirable features, such as three-axis image stabilization, smartwatch control (Apple Watch only), smooth subject tracking, and a relatively reasonable $139 price tag. This includes a hanger, a magnetic phone clip, a tripod that doubles as an extension cord, a charging cable and a carrying bag. You can also purchase various vlogger-specific accessories for the Osmo Mobile 6, including a $60 magnetic clip with adjustable front LED fill lights and a range of DJI wireless microphones and receivers.

If you lose any of the included accessories or need extra means of shooting with multiple phones, the brand sells replacement magnetic phone clips for $25 and tripod legs for just $20. However, the official case seems a bit steep at $40. The gimbal itself is competitively priced considering you get quality-of-life improvements like quick launch support, axis lock for storage, a new status bar, zoom/focus wheel, and support for larger phones not found on older Osmo Mobile models. 5. Osmo Mobile 6 is not as versatile as Insta360 Flow but cheaper despite being a more mature product. Either way, the cost will pay dividends in the quality of your video.

Technical characteristics

Brand

DJI

Selfie stick

Extends by 215 mm

Maximum payload

290 g (~10.22 oz)

Bluetooth

5.1

Battery

1000 mAh

Controlling the camera

Yes

weight

Hanger: ~305g (10.75oz), Magnetic Phone Clip: ~25g (0.88oz)

Charging time

1 hour 24 minutes (10 W)

Execution time

Up to 6 hours 24 minutes

Mechanical tilt range

-101.64 to 78.55

Mechanical range of rolls

-120.30 to 211.97

Mr. Mechanical Range

-161.64 to 173.79

The maximum thickness of the phone

10 mm

The maximum width of the phone

84 mm

What’s good about DJI Osmo Mobile 6?

Convenience reigns supreme

At first glance, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 looks like many other smartphone gimbals, but a closer look reveals that the handle is nicely sculpted and textured for a comfortable grip. Even the shoulders wrap neatly around the handle, creating a tight package when folded. And the clip lock added in this generation prevents accidental deployment of the suspension during free storage.

All the hinges feel sturdy and well-built, as does the telescoping extension that helps the Osmo Mobile 6 function as a selfie stick. When the rod is fully extended, there is no slack in the rod, which helps with close-ups, keeping shadows out of the frame, easy top-down shots, and low-angle shots without breaking your back. All buttons are tactile and easy to reach, while the knob and joystick are knurled enough for a comfortable grip. I liked that the sensitivity of the joystick is adjustable and the movement along each axis is reversible. Control is instant and doesn’t suffer from dead zones or jerky movements.

DJI’s recent inclusion of a focus/zoom wheel is nice to have, but it’s a little tricky to control with my thumb, and I often use my other hand to turn it. The stick is ambidextrous, though, and you can adjust the stick’s direction and sensitivity in the DJI Mimo app.

You’ll need the included magnetic clip to attach the phone to the mount, and I’m happy to report that the magnets are very strong and serrated for a secure fit even when you’re in a hurry. The design of the DJI clip also does not cover the buttons on the sides, so it can be left attached.

In terms of performance, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 did not disappoint. The gimbal has three-axis stabilization with limited movement around each axis, but it was enough to stabilize video while running, tracking pets, and shooting a car from another moving car. And it’s easy to get started, as the hinge acts as a power switch, and you can set up a companion app to launch after a successful magnetic attachment. The application also remembers the last activated mode. So, if you use the right mode, the Osmo Mobile 6 will not disappoint you. You can even exit the app and the hardware controls for the gimbal should work.

Despite the all-plastic construction, the insulation is well managed and the handle is well balanced in the hand. I was surprised that the motors even have enough torque for a heavy phone like Pixel 7 Pro. The design also accommodates lightweight clip-on lens accessories. However, screw-clamp lenses or twist-lock models that attach to phone cases work better. You can compensate for heavier off-center accessories by moving the clamp closer to the specified accessories on the phone. I would just caution you against using the tripod as a grip with the extension fully extended as it becomes too heavy for stable movement.

You’ll have the most fun using the Osmo Mobile 6 with telephoto lenses, and the accompanying Mimo app includes several shooting guides with video tutorials. You just need to follow the tutorials and the program will create a comfortable edit for you in no time. Object tracking is extremely accurate and works best with faces, which is an advantage for vlog-style content. In my testing, the app was able to stay locked on to a subject, even with passersby obscuring it. Gesture control is also great for working alone.

What’s wrong with the DJI Osmo Mobile 6?

Concerns are hidden in the fields

While DJI seems to have perfected the craft of portable smartphone gimbals with the Osmo Mobile 6, it’s not a perfect product and there’s room for improvement. First, the battery capacity limits the potential for use on day trips, especially if you shoot a lot of timelapses. Speaking of which, Timelapse mode resets the gimbal orientation as soon as you hit Record, so you can only frame the shot once it starts. I was also surprised by DJI’s decision to default to normal movement speed, while the Fast option feels much more lively and responsive to sudden movement.

Another concern I have with the software is that the Mimo app is not yet available on the Play Store. You must scan the QR code on the product packaging to install it via brand websiteand the surprises don’t end there. The size of the APK is over 800 MB, and together these factors do not inspire much trust. However, after using the program, I believe that the large file size is mostly due to poor optimization.

In terms of design, it’s clear that the Osmo’s design is refined, but I found that the gimbal can’t be easily hidden away with a tripod attached. First, it is too long, and the legs of the tripod do not connect together, so they do not always stay closed. Otherwise, the DJI definitely beats the bigger and more expensive gimbals Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI in transportability.

Also, the zoom wheel is a thoughtful addition, but I had a hard time getting smooth focus because the app doesn’t recognize them yet. The wheel also lacks tactility, and I wouldn’t mind a click/smooth switch option, like the aperture rings on film lenses, to simplify the rack’s calculated focus moves. Finally, you should know that the magnet on the phone holder easily attracts scratches and other metal objects, so it should be stored properly.

Is it worth buying?

Start small, but dream big

With a product ecosystem, advanced hardware, and a price that’s hard to beat, especially for the beginner or hobbyist, DJI has a fighting chance even with more expensive gimbals. The Osmo Mobile 6 is a good starting point to learn about the benefits of stabilized video and smooth tracking, and how they affect your footage. If you’re willing to spend the weekend getting to know the Mimo app, I can also assure you that the Osmo Mobile 6 won’t have you fiddling with the controls while you’re on vacation.

This is an expensive stepping stone to professional camera and gimbal setup. If you own one of these, you’ll still love the sheer convenience of the Osmo Mobile series. The flaws are easy to fix at this reasonable price, and we wouldn’t have any other technology, especially if you take our word for the best camera phones.

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DJI Osmo Mobile 6

8.5/10

The new Osmo Mobile 6 can enhance your shooting and vacations with less effort than comparable and more expensive smartphone mounts. It’s hard to argue with a comfortable design and a magnetic quick-start system for a reasonable price, and the performance certainly doesn’t disappoint, even if the price might suggest otherwise. However, you may want to have a charger handy.