The Hohem iSteady V3 is the most versatile phone gimbal we have ever seen! The features, performance, and value all add up to this being, in our opinion, the best gimbal for iPhone and Android users. It is now our go-to recommendation for any content creator out there who works with a phone.
When we reviewed Hohem’s full-size camera gimbal, the iSteady MT2, we were introduced to their unique tool for subject tracking: a dedicated on-gimbal camera that uses AI to identify your face and track you around the image frame, without ever having to connect your camera to the gimbal itself!
Aside from making the phone gimbal simple and very quick to set up and use, it also frees up your phone to do other things without interference, such as doing a zoom call or any type of video chat, live stream, etc.
For solo users, this alone is a game-changer that makes the iSteady V3 the best phone gimbal we’ve ever used. However, there’s even more to it, indeed. So, with that said, let’s dive into this Hohem iSteady V3 review. We will expand on the features and unique specialties, we’ll cover all of the pros and cons, plus we’ll compare its overall value against the competition. Let’s get started!
Hohem iSteady V3 | Specifications
- Price: $129
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Range of Motion:
Yaw (Pan): -120 to 210°
Pitch (Tilt): -35 to 45°
Roll: -195 to 135° - Battery Life: 1400 mAh, lasts up to 13h (2.5h charge time)
- Dimensions: 12.28x5x2.56 in, 312x127x65mm
- Compact (Folded) Dimensions: 3.85×1.75×6.32 in
- Item Weight: 14.8 oz (0.92 lbs), 420g
- Additional Info: store.hohem.com/
Phone Compatibility:
- Maximum Supported Weight Recommendation: 10.6 oz (300g)
- Min/Max Phone Width: 2.3-3.9 in.
- Android/iOS Compatibility: Yes, ALL phones can use almost all key features
- Mobile app (Additional Features: Available for both iOS & Android
Key Features & Included Accessories
- iSteady V3
- Detachable (magnetic, locking, reversible) AI tracking sensor (self-charging)
- Fill light w/ 10 brightness levels & color temperature from 2700K to 6500K
- Detachable (magnetic) main control unit w/ Joystick (Bluetooth, self-charging & USB-C charging)
- 8.1” Extension rod
- Tripod stand legs (built-in)
- Type A – C USB Charging Cable
- Storage Bag & User Manual
- Hohem Joy App (Android & iOS)
Hohem iSteady V3 Phone Gimbal Stabilizer Review | Primary Features
There are quite a few things that are very special about this camera phone gimbal, and many standard features that keep up with the competition. Even without using the free mobile app, the Hohem iSteady V3 is almost fully functional!
Thanks to the fact that the AI Tracker has a built-in camera, you don’t need to worry about phone connectivity (or any compatibility at all!) in order to gain the biggest advantage of these modern Hohem gimbals. With a few hand gestures, you can get the gimbal to perfectly track your face while you’re vlogging. It will seem as if you have a whole production crew with you!
Built-In Camera With AI Tracking
As mentioned, the magnetic AI Tracker runs by itself, so it is compatible with any phone. This is hugely beneficial, and makes this one of the most versatile gimbals, hands-down. The AI Tracker is reversible, and has two quick-release buttons to keep it in place.This means you can effortlessly switch between filming yourself using your phone’s selfie camera, and filming other subjects with your phone’s main camera(s).
(NOTE: The AI Tracker’s locking clips aren’t incredibly strong, however, so do be careful not to bump the AI Tracker very hard!)
It only takes a few simple hand gestures to activate the AI tracking, and to start/stop its activity. This is incredibly useful for those who work as solo content creators, but want to add dynamic motion to their videos.
Also, the AI Tracker is where the built-in fill light is, allowing the user to illuminate faces either in front of or behind the camera just like the tracking feature. The fill light has 10 different brightness levels, and three color temperature options; 2700K for indoor artificial light, 5000K for sunny daytime conditions, and 6500 for cold overcast conditions.
The only other drawback about the AI tracker is, the device does not track other subjects besides people. For most vloggers and general content creators, this won’t be an issue, of course. The advantage of having AI tracking without ever having to worry about connecting your phone to the gimbal is unique and well worth the investment.
Detachable Control Module
The main control module is also detachable, making it into a remote control that allows you to fully control your camera’s motion with the joystick! This is such a neat, useful feature that I wish it was present on the iSteady MT2, which we reviewed previously. It really completes the solo content creator package, and makes us not think twice about recommending the iSteady V3 before any alternatives.
Effective, Intuitive Stabilization Modes
Of course, the best smartphone gimbal must perform its main function better than anything else: that is, stabilize a camera! So, you would be wise to ask, “how well does it perform?” The Hohem iSteady V3 performs incredibly well, in fact, and each of its different stabilization modes are very effective.
Gimbal Modes:
- PF Mode:
“Pan Follow” means the gimbal will follow your horizontal panning motion only. (All other motion will be fully corrected) - PTF Mode:
“Pan Tilt Follow” means the gimbal will follow both horizontal and vertical motion, while still keeping the camera level. - POV Mode:
“Point Of View” means the gimbal will only stabilize general shake, but will follow all larger motion. (Up/down, left/right, and angular tilt) - L Mode:
“Lock” means the gimbal will stabilize every axis; perfect for longer motion moves such as a hyperlapse.
One highlight that I wanted to point out is the “Lock (Everything)” mode, which is incredibly stable. In fact, it does the best job we have ever seen at eliminating the common “bobbing” of walking, when you extend the arm, and angle it ~90 degrees. The geometry of holding the gimbal this way, combined with the excellent gyros in the iSteady V3, will make your video footage appear cinematic in its smoothness!
One other benefit of having two different detachable control modules that do not require a phone connection is this: being fully independent means you could be doing a zoom or video call on your phone! Having your camera follow you around a home office while you give a presentation is a truly impressive, next-level feature.
Of course, there are still many benefits of connecting your phone with the Hohem Joy app. The app is available for both Android and iOS, and will work with virtually all of the major phones released recently.
The key advantage, of course, is that the Hohem iSteady V3 has a dedicated REC button to start and stop recording. This simple additional feature will make it very worthwhile to connect your phone to the gimbal, via Bluetooth.
There’s more, indeed: With a connected phone, you can do things like zoom in and out, which is very useful these days considering that most phones have multiple camera lenses.
Also, for the most advanced content creators, you can perform things like a pan-tilt motion time-lapse or hyperlapse, and other things!
Last but not least, once you’ve connected your phone to the app, you’ll be able to track other types of subjects besides people.
Portability & Ergonomic Design
Collapsed, the Hohem iSteady V3 is pocket-sized. Despite this very compact design, it still feels excellent in my relatively large hands; the overall balance feels perfect for a phone.
I’m used to using rather large gimbals and full-frame mirrorless cameras, so working with the iSteady V3 was a real treat, indeed!)
Build Quality
Let me start off by saying that I have a lot of experience with “telescope” style extensions, and I usually don’t like them. As tripod legs or center column extensions, and Extension feels stiff and durable, tripod legs are a bit flimsy so not advisable if extending
Speaking of build quality, there is actually a built-in tripod on the Hohem V3! It is embedded within the hand grip, which is yet another way the device stands out compared to alternatives that require you to carry around an additional accessory if you ever want to set down your gimbal.
Vertical Video, Selfie Video
The gimbal operation is very intuitive, and you can learn almost everything you need to know just by glancing at the “quick start guide”. For example, to switch your camera from vertical video (the default) to horizontal, simply double-tap the main Mode button. Or, to switch between capturing other subjects and capturing yourself, tap the front trigger release three times.
Hohem iSteady V3 Review | Pros & Cons Summary
All in all, the Hohem iSteady V3 receives almost all praise from us, with only a few minor things that should be noted, even if they are not deal-breakers:
Pros
- Unique AI Tracker for seamless subject tracking
- AI Tracker is reversible to make use of a phone’s main and selfie cameras, vertical or horizontal
- Ergonomic, highly portable design
- Durable physical build quality
- Detachable control remote
- Ample, effective stabilization modes for high-quality results and creative freedom
Cons
- AI Tracker locking clips could be stronger
- Detachable control module means you have two extra little devices that could be easy to lose
- Downward angle (selfie) or upward angle (main camera) motion is limited
As you can see, the Pros are numerous and they really set the V3 apart from competitors, while the Cons are things that we’d be glad to simply be mindful of, but they definitely aren’t deal-breakers.
Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal Review | Value & Competition
I know what you’re all wondering, so here’s the answer: indeed, some other phone stabilizer gimbals do have AI subject tracking. However, they rely on the phone’s camera, so you’ll have to connect the phone to the camera every time you use it, and the actual results may not be as reliable.
Coming in at $139, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is already ten dollars more expensive, and lacks incredibly useful features such as the AI Tracker device or the detachable main control. All in all, we just don’t see a compelling reason to recommend spending more money to get less versatility.
The same thing can be said for similar alternatives, such as the $149 Insta360 Flow Pro, or the $149 Zhiyun Smooth-5. Both are decent products, but they simply cost more yet don’t have the same range of versatility.
Hohem iSteady V3 Gimbal Review | Conclusion
All in all, it’s easy for us to recommend the Hohem iSteady V3. It’s packed with features and unique functions that make it stand above the competition, and yet, it does this at an affordable price. You will want to be careful with the two relatively tiny, detachable units, the AI Tracker and the main control module. Always keep an eye on them! Other than that, there’s nothing holding us back from highly recommending this for any content creator who is looking for the best
