Hands on with the Insta360 Flow Pro gimbal, the first with Apple DockKit tracking

Gimbals are becoming more commonplace these days as the technology becomes more democratized, thanks to lower prices and better mobile cameras. Insta360 still looks to differentiate itself, though.

It offers DockKit, which is a new framework from iOS 17 that allows users to track people on camera and a multitude of situations. It's still a new technology and has only been getting better.

The stabilizer itself builds upon the existing Insta360 Flow but drops the price tag and adds new features.

We've been testing it out for a couple of weeks, and while there are some minor drawbacks, it makes a very compelling case for why it should be added to your kit.

Insta360 Flow Pro: Compact, easy-to-use design

The latest iteration of Insta360's handheld gimbal feels instantly familiar to users who have tried one before. With one hand, you can stabilize your videos and do so much more.

It folds up into a small package, even enough to fit into our pocket — at least if you're not wearing skinny jeans.

When you're ready to shoot, the top twists outward, which automatically turns the device on at the same time. Just mount your phone on the top, and you're ready to go.

The gimbal is controlled with the centralized set of buttons and dials. You can start and stop recording — or take a photo, switch camera orientation, alternate between front and rear camera, switch shooting mode, and recenter the frame.

Switching modes is done by sliding your finger around the dial, reminiscent of an iPod. It felt a little finicky at times, but once we got the knack down, it worked.

Finally, there's a wheel around the dial that spins, and you can use it to zoom in and out.

Besides just unfolding for use, the bottom contains an integrated tripod so it can stand on its own, and the top extends out for a selfie stick.

Insta360 Flow Pro: A reliable stabilizer

At its core, the Insta360 Flow Pro is a solid stabilizer. It holds your phone super smooth and stable as you pan around, filming moving videos or wild 360-degree panoramas.

The exhaustive on-device controls are great for using it with or without the Insta360 app. However, you do get more features when you use it.

The Insta360 app has its own DeepTrack 3.0 technology that allows you to track people and animals. It also works as it loses sight of your subject, using AI to look ahead at where the subject moves.

In our testing, this worked well. It spun around following our dog in the yard and even re-identified them as they went behind the patio stairs.

Other in-app tricks include barrel roll effects, TimeShift, motion timelapse, and more.

We loved the MagSafe connection. This is an add-on accessory but makes it quick to connect your phone versus the bundled clip.

Insta360 Flow Pro: DockKit

What sets this apart from the other litany of gimbals and stabilizers that has flooded the market in the last few years, is support for Apple DockKit.

DockKit is a native iOS framework that allows a motorized companion device to interface with an iPhone. It then is able to move the iPhone to track subjects via the Camera app and many third-party apps.

It's a set-it-and-forget-it situation that doesn't require any manufacturing apps to operate. We first saw it in the Belkin AutoTracking Stand Pro, making the Insta360 Flow Pro the first gimbal to incorporate it.

DockKit makes even the pairing process easy. Just tap your iPhone on the center circle and it will pair via NFC.

A card interface pops up, very similar to a set of AirPods. A couple on-screen confirmations and you're set.

Now, when you open the stock Camera app, it will identify a subject and track them. Multiple subjects can be tracked, and it works with both the front and rear-facing cameras.

The gimbal can rotate and track 360 degrees. No matter where you or your subject goes, the camera should be able to find them.

It doesn't just rotate though, but can tilt up and down, too. It's a very wide range of motion.

What makes this especially powerful is that it works in any app that uses the native camera interface. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and countless others will work out of the box.

Anyone who uses a gimbal knows it can be annoying to be required to use the manufacturer app for tracking, where you then have to export the footage and upload to another app.

It's shockingly simple and working exceedingly well. Whether you're making a FaceTime call from your yard, hosting a boardroom meeting, or skateboarding, the Insta360 Flow Pro can help you capture it.

Insta360 Flow Pro: Available now

If you'd like to pick one up, it's available now on Amazon for $149.