10 Years of Insta360: STAR Market Debut, a Drone Surprise, and the Launch of Flow 2 Pro

July 2025 marks a milestone year for Insta360. The company has just turned 10 years old, and it’s celebrating with more than just cake and candles. 

It’s celebrating the occasion with new gear, a bolder vision, and a clear message that it’s no longer just about action cams. 

Its latest release, the Flow 2 Pro, is more than just a smartphone stabilizer – it’s a smart, AI-powered tool that integrates into a growing creator ecosystem. 

Add to that the new Mic Air, a wireless microphone the size of a mint tin, and it’s obvious: Insta360 isn’t just launching gadgets, it’s building a toolkit. 

A full suite of tightly integrated products designed for modern, mobile-first creators.

And behind this launch is a company that’s evolving fast – because while Flow 2 Pro is the news, Insta360’s bigger story might be what’s happening behind the scenes. 

IPO Buzz, Billion-Dollar Valuation, and an Expanding Vision

On June 11, Insta360 went public on the Shanghai STAR Market, and the reception was anything but quiet. 

With a first-day jump of 285%, the stock soared from its IPO price of ¥47.27 to over ¥182, pushing the company’s market cap above ¥70B – roughly $10B.

That kind of debut isn’t just good press – it’s a sign. Insta360 has momentum, and it’s making moves far beyond 360° cameras.

A recent PR push proudly highlights that Insta360 has held the #1 spot in the U.S. 360° camera market for five years straight, and they’re not slowing down. 

With plans for a new R&D center in Shenzhen, a manufacturing facility under construction, and fresh funding from the IPO, Insta360 is doubling down on innovation.

They’re also quietly expanding their universe. Along with cameras and gimbals, Insta360 recently helped incubate Antigravity, a new consumer drone brand developed with third-party partners. 

While Antigravity functions on its own, its ties to the Insta360 ecosystem suggest a bigger goal: smooth, AI-driven content tools for land, air, and handheld filming. 

From a Shenzhen startup to a global imaging innovator, Insta360’s journey is no longer about finding a niche. It’s about owning the entire creative workflow from shoot to share – and the Flow 2 Pro is just the latest piece in that process. 

Flow 2 Pro: The AI-Powered Smartphone Stabilizer That Feels Like the Rampage 

Insta360’s latest device, the Flow 2 Pro, offers more than just smooth tracking – it’s like giving your phone a jetpack. 

Thanks to AI-powered subject tracking, it can lock onto faces or objects with uncanny accuracy. 

But what makes it truly fun is how it handles movement: it smooths out acceleration, tilts, and sudden shifts so effectively that your phone almost seems to glide.

During my hands-on testing, I realized it was more ‘your phone demonstrating AI choreography’ than ‘you filming.’ If you stumble while walking, the Flow 2 Pro automatically corrects your shake – no fancy tripod needed. 

But if you do need one, it even features a built-in tripod in the grip, so you’re always prepared for stationary shots as well.

Compared to earlier gimbals that rely on rigid mechanical axes, this one feels alive. You point, and it follows. Simple logic, but executed with flair.

It’s also compact and lightweight, so it’s easy to throw in a bag and take anywhere, whether you’re heading out for a casual vlog or a last-minute shoot on the road. 

Insta360 also leans on usability here. There’s no fiddling with balance or twice-forgotten app settings.

Out of the box: AI tracks. Tap to start. This feels like the next step in personal-film gear. A great tool for creators who’d rather talk to the camera than tweak a dial.

Everyday Hero with a Few Limits

On the downside, the battery life is about 10 hours according to specs – respectable but not amazing.

And if you’re filming fast sports or wild movement, expect occasional tracking delays.

For example, I tested both the Flow 2 Pro and the Insta360 X5 at the UCI Mountain Bike World Series event. 

While the Flow 2 Pro occasionally loses track of riders in sharp turns or jumps, the X5 handles chaos like a pro – its wider field of view and advanced stabilization keep the action smooth and the subject in frame, even at top speed. 

But for everyday use – vlogs, filming your latest cooking experiment, or even capturing clips from a bumpy tuk-tuk ride on vacation – it performs well. 

Flow 2 Pro vs. the Rest: Why It’s More Than Just Another Gimbal

Yes, there are cheaper gimbals out there. The DJI Osmo Mobile SE, for example, costs under $100 and does the job for basic stabilization. 

Hohem’s iSteady M6 costs over $200 for a bundle with AI tracking. The Flow 2 Pro is priced at $159.99, providing a good mix of affordability and advanced features. 

Not to mention that it’s sleek, simple to set up, and plays well with your native camera and social apps.

What makes the Flow 2 Pro stand out is its combination of intelligent tracking, sleek design, and easy plug-and-play use. 

You don’t need to fuss with calibration either. The AI locks onto your subject quickly – no need to stand still or constantly reframe. 

Insta360 built its reputation on smart 360° video, and this feels like a natural evolution. It’s less ‘gimbal’ and more ‘AI stick’ – a stabilizer that thinks for you.

And because it’s part of a bigger Insta360 ecosystem, the Flow 2 Pro plays nicely with Insta360 accessories such as the Mic Air.

Soon, we’ll probably see auto-synced clips, picture-in-picture overlays, or real-time streaming combos put together with just a few taps. It’s not just a better gimbal – it’s a smarter one that integrates into a larger creative system.

Mic Air: The Mic That Fits in a Mint Tin (Literally)

Right alongside Flow 2 Pro, Insta360 rolled out Mic Air. 

This small wireless mic weighs only 7.9 grams – lighter than a key – and provides 48 kHz/24-bit sound with noise reduction. 

It can be worn using the magnetic pad under your clothing, clipped directly onto your shirt or collar, or even hung around your neck like a pendant. No adapters, no cables – just stick it on, hit record on your X5 or Flow, and it records crisp audio. 

When paired with the 1‑TX + 1‑RX bundle, it works with smartphones, tablets, and even computers. 

So why mention this audio gizmo in a review about gimbals? Because this is Insta360’s clear strategy: build a full creator toolkit. 

Imagine recording video with the Flow 2 Pro while Mic Air captures your voice and ambient sounds. Both automatically sync with your Insta360 app, get smart tagging, and offer a ready-to-use creator package. It’s no longer just a tool – it’s a complete content system. 

In testing, Mic Air performed impressively both indoors and outdoors, managing wind and movement with clarity and effective noise reduction. 

And at just $49 (or $69 for the bundle), it’s a compact, affordable mic that completes Insta360’s trifecta of video, stabilization, and sound. 

The Flows of Ecosystem Thinking

Insta360 is smartly stitching together three threads:

1. 360° Action Cameras (X5) — Continued updates like AdaptiveTone, Ultra Battery, and ND filters show X5 isn’t stagnant.
2. Stabilized Smartphone Gimbal (Flow 2 Pro) — Adds AI-powered tracking for iPhones and Androids.
3. Wireless Audio (Mic Air) — Finishing the content capture puzzle with clean wireless sound.

This isn’t just about accessories. Insta360 is building a modular creator platform. Currently, Flow 2 Pro and Mic Air feel like companion devices. 

But they hint at a future where switching between action cam and phone feels seamless. They’ll auto-sync footage, apply AI edits across devices, and even share via Insta360+ cloud. 

Picture filming a biking trip with the X5 360° action cam, Flow 2 Pro capturing head-on commentary, and Mic Air delivering broadcast-quality audio. All come together in the app with just a few taps. That’s ecosystem synergy in action. 

And with the upcoming Antigravity drone, developed with third-party partners but sharing Insta360’s DNA, the ecosystem might soon expand into the skies. 

A Decade In, Insta360 Is Just Getting Started

Insta360 has come a long way in ten years. From a small startup to a STAR Market–listed company shaping the future of content creation. 

The Flow 2 Pro and Mic Air are more than just impressive gadgets – they’re a glimpse into the future of smart, connected technology. 

With AI-driven stabilization, the Flow 2 Pro transforms your smartphone into a powerhouse of smooth video, while the Mic Air delivers crystal-clear wireless audio with absolute ease.

Together with the flagship X5, they form a creator ecosystem that’s greater than the sum of its parts. 

Add to that the company’s expansion into audio, its collaboration on the Antigravity drone, and a growing focus on seamless cross-device integration, and it’s clear that Insta360 is building more than just hardware – they’re building a platform. 

Created for those who care about quality, simplicity, and smart design, Flow 2 Pro signals the direction of future video gear. And Insta360 is already leading there.