Hohem iSteady V3 Smartphone Gimbal Review: Smart and Portable

I’ve been testing a variety of smartphone gimbals over the past few years as a tech reviewer and professional photographer, and they all ultimately offered pretty much the same functionality, with a few minor pros and cons. After all, the main purpose of these accessories is to reduce camera shake and smooth out videos. Really… until recently it was all the same thing. AI is making its way into the realm of smartphone gimbals, and I was the first to try out these new features. Hohem iSteady V3 is the first smartphone gimbal that has excited me in years.

Artificial intelligence aside, Hohem iSteady V3 actually has a lot to offer. This is a great gimbal in every way, with lots of modern features, a versatile design, great portability, and a focus on being “your personal videographer.” Not to mention, it’s actually very competitively priced for what’s on offer. I’ve been trying out Hohem iSteady V3 for the past few weeks. I’m going to give my two cents on this product.

Hohem iSteady V3 will be available in July 2024 with an MSRP of $149. Although it’s part of the manufacturer’s iSteady lineup, it’s in a new category of its own, borrowing aspects from other Hohem series. Hohem iSteady V3 utilizes the best 3-axis stabilization to date. This means you can tilt, roll, and pan smoothly. The other option, 2-axis, does not take into account pan stabilization.

This gimbal uses magnets for many of its design elements, so it comes with a lot of goodies in the box. First, get a gimbal that has an integrated selfie stick extension and tripod leg. There’s also a magnetic AI tracker that doubles as a magnetic remote control and fill light. It comes with a nice pouch and also includes a hex wrench tool and a USB-C charging cable.

Another important factor that you should definitely consider is device compatibility. Hohem iSteady V3 has a payload capacity of 300g. This is great news, as larger devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max weigh significantly less at 232g and 227g, respectively. The device must also be between 58 and 98 mm wide and less than 12.5 mm thick. Again, this covers most phones on the market today, including the ones mentioned above.

Of course, with any gimbal you need to get the basics right. So, AI and fancy features aside, let’s talk about how the Hohem iSteady V3 performs as a gimbal.

I’ve worked with better constructed gimbals in the past, and I think the construction and design of the Hohem iSteady V3 is very good. Although it is mainly made of plastic, it has a luxurious feel and is well made. All buttons are very clicky and provide excellent feedback. The design is quite ergonomic. It’s very easy to hold.

When docked, the transmitter acts as a control on the gimbal and the magnetic attraction is very strong. It never feels like it’s about to pop out. That said, I wasn’t a big fan of the AI ​​tracker/auxiliary light magnet. Hohem apparently didn’t either and added a locking mechanism to hold it in place.

The foldable design is also very convenient. When folded and closed, it fits in your pants pocket with just a little bit of it sticking out. Not only does it get smaller when you carry it, but it also gets bigger when you stretch it out. The built-in “selfie stick” extends up to 205mm. It’s a little short compared to other gimbals with extension rods, but it’s plenty if you’re recording yourself or shooting from a low (or high) angle.

Don’t forget the built-in tripod legs that pull out from the bottom. At first I thought it was too thin and not strong enough, but I was surprised at how stable it felt.

There are no particular complaints regarding stabilization performance. The 3-axis image stabilization works well, and the images are very smooth. Like any gimbal, it takes a little time to learn the commands, but once you’ve learned everything you’ll get used to it quickly.

I didn’t really like the fill light either. It helps in a pinch, but it’s too harsh and affects highlights and shadows too much. However, this is a common problem with all small light sources. And at least you have some control over intensity and temperature.

The battery life is also very long, up to 13 hours on a single charge. I can’t actually confirm this, but it’s a good thing. In fact, the battery never died in a day.

Now comes the fun part. What makes Hohem iSteady V3 special is its AI features, and I was actually quite happy with its AI features. The AI ​​module actually works independently and does not require the help of the official Hohem Joy app. This may not seem like a big deal at first glance, but it’s kind of a game changer because it means you can use automatic tracking and framing within any application. Also, the remote control is removable, so it is very convenient to control the gimbal from a distance. That’s why Hohem calls it a “personal videographer.” Detachable remote control and AI tracking make it easy to record clips yourself.

I loved using this when recording myself using the stock camera app or video chatting with friends. It works no matter what you’re doing on your phone. In fact, you can even get creative. For example, you can use it while cooking so that the screen always faces you when you’re looking at a recipe or watching a YouTube video.

In fact, the tracking worked very well. The system was able to track me throughout the room, even when I turned my back for a moment. When I was moving at a normal pace, I didn’t really get lost. However, I ran out of frames to test it. It can definitely lose you, but it will always recognize you and start tracking you again when you come back into view.

Gestures take a little time to learn, but just like manual controls, once you get the hang of how the AI ​​tracker works, you’ll quickly get used to it. These gestures are very effective. They aren’t perfect, and the tracker didn’t capture my commands a few times, but I’d say it got it right over 90% of the time.

Actually, I’m not a fan of the Hohem Joy app. It’s a bit too complicated, ad-heavy, and crowded. This application is generally very confusing. However, there is also a tutorial section that will help you learn more about how to use the gimbal. If you want to get creative, the editor has some fun video templates to use your clips to create even better videos.

However, the app is the only way to access additional features. Can be used for panoramic shooting, time-lapse, slow motion, etc. You also have access to special effects, which Hohem calls “moments,” which make your clips more unique and cinematic. However, as it stands, the app is more optional than it needs to be. All controls and main features are available without Bluetooth as long as your device has a Bluetooth connection.

Overall, it’s hard not to recommend the Hohem iSteady V3 smartphone gimbal. It seems to check all the boxes in the modern gimbal world. It’s well-made, has very stable video, is easy to carry, has a removable controller, has a fill light, extends and retracts like a selfie stick, and has a built-in tripod. All priced at $149, comparable to the prices below. competition. Not only that, but it’s often discounted to $129 at the time of publishing this review.

The biggest competitor is probably the Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI ($169 on Amazon), which costs $169. Also, while Zhiyun’s gimbal looks like a more sophisticated gimbal, it lacks a removable controller, does not extend and retract, and does not have a built-in tripod (which is an additional accessory). The Insta360 Flow Pro ($149 at Amazon) also costs $149 and comes with additional 360-degree rotation, a selfie stick rod, and a built-in tripod, but it also doesn’t have a removable controller. Overall, I think the Hohem iSteady V3 offers a better balance of features, broader feature set, and price. This is the best overall package in its price range.