The competition in the smartphone gimbal market just got a lot more interesting. GoPro, a name synonymous with heart-pounding action cameras, has officially opened pre-orders for its highly anticipated Fluid AI Pro gimbal, marking a significant return to the stabilization hardware game after the discontinuation of the Karma Grip nearly a decade ago.
Priced at $229 and available exclusively in a sleek black finish, the Fluid AI Pro positions itself as a premium contender against established rivals like the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra, Insta360 Flow Pro, and DJI OSMO Mobile 7P. According to the official announcement, the gimbal is slated to begin shipping and hit retail shelves in early November, though a precise date has not yet been confirmed.
This move signals GoPro's commitment to becoming a more holistic tool for content creators, moving beyond just cameras to encompass the entire filmmaking ecosystem.
A Pricey Proposition with Versatile Ambitions
At first glance, the Fluid AI Pro's $229 price tag places it at the higher end of the market. For comparison, leading competitors like the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra and DJI OSMO Mobile 7P are often found at a more accessible price point. However, GoPro is banking on a key feature to justify the investment: unparalleled versatility.
Unlike many smartphone-only gimbals, the Fluid AI Pro is engineered to be a true multi-device stabilizer. It is fully compatible with recent GoPro action cameras (Hero 10 Black through the newly announced Hero 13 Black), a wide range of smartphones, and even some compact point-and-shoot cameras. This makes it an incredibly appealing "one-stop-shop" for vloggers and creators who switch between devices frequently.
With a robust maximum payload of 400 grams (0.88 lbs), the gimbal is future-proofed for today's heaviest flagship phones. It can comfortably support devices like the rumored Vivo X200 Ultra (229g), Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (218g), and iPhone 17 Pro (233g) without breaking a sweat.
Smart Features for the Modern Creator
Where the Fluid AI Pro truly aims to stand out is in its integration of intelligent technology. The "AI" in its name isn't just for show. The gimbal boasts advanced AI Tracking capabilities, allowing it to automatically lock onto and follow a subject as they move through the frame. This is a game-changer for solo creators who need to keep themselves in the shot without a camera operator.
Matching the convenience of its competitors, the Fluid AI Pro also ships with a built-in fill light to brighten vlogs and selfies in low-light conditions, and a small integrated display for at-a-glance settings and mode changes.
Perhaps one of its most practical features is the claimed marathon battery life. GoPro states the Fluid AI Pro can run for up to 18 hours on a single charge. Even more impressively, it can function as a power bank, providing a crucial emergency top-up for your smartphone or action camera while you're on the go.
For those looking to dive deeper into the specifications and official details, the full press release is available here.
The Competitive Landscape
The gimbal market is fiercely competitive, and the Fluid AI Pro enters a field of capable rivals. For creators weighing their options, the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra is known for its smooth performance and built-in extension rod, while the Insta360 Flow Pro offers unique AI-driven features through its app. The DJI OSMO Mobile 7P remains a gold standard for many, praised for its compact design and reliable ActiveTrack technology.
While these models are available for pre-order or purchase on major platforms like Amazon, the GoPro Fluid AI Pro is currently exclusive to the company's website for the pre-order phase.
- Check the current price for the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra on Amazon.
- Check the current price for the Insta360 Flow Pro on Amazon.
- Check the current price for the DJI OSMO Mobile 7P on Amazon.
The Fluid AI Pro will also be supported by the dedicated GoPro Fluid App, which promises to deliver a suite of creative video and photo capture tools to enhance the user experience directly from a smartphone.
While eager buyers are still waiting for GoPro to reveal the exact dimensions and weight of the gimbal, the pre-order launch makes one thing clear: GoPro is not just playing defense with its cameras; it's going on the offensive in the accessory market, betting that creators are ready for a more powerful and versatile stabilization tool.
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