Review: hohem iSteady X2 Smartphone Gimbal – Upgrade Your Video

This article is a rewrite of a piece originally provided to our previous site.

In recent years, it has become common to film and post your own videos on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Of course, improvements in smartphone capabilities have made it easier to capture good footage, but many people still find that their videos are shaky or they struggle to get the shot they want.

Are you familiar with a device called a “smartphone gimbal” that is incredibly useful in such situations?

What is a smartphone gimbal?

Simply put, a smartphone gimbal is a high-performance shooting grip that eliminates shake when filming with your smartphone.
With a gimbal, you can capture smooth footage just by holding it, even while moving.

To give concrete examples, this smartphone gimbal is highly effective when you are filming scenery while traveling or capturing cityscapes while walking—situations where vibrations and tilting are inevitable as you move.

Recent smartphones have excellent built-in image stabilization, but there is still an overwhelming difference between using a gimbal and not using one.

So, in this article, I would like to introduce a recommended smartphone gimbal: the “hohem iSteady X2.”

Basic Information: hohem iSteady X2

Specs

Gimbal Structure	3-Axis Stabilization	Dimensions	179×79×39mm
Max Payload	280g	Weight	Approx. 260g
Battery Life	10 hours	Battery Capacity	2800mAh
Compatible Phone Width	55mm–90mm	Charging Port	Type-C
Compatible Phone Thickness	Up to 11mm	Bluetooth	Ver. 4.0

Range of Motion
Tilt	-30° to +30°
Roll	320°
Pan	320°

Gimbals come in what are called 2-axis gimbals and 3-axis gimbals. Briefly, a 2-axis gimbal can handle vibrations in two directions, allowing you to control tilt (vertical) and roll (rotation) movements. On the other hand, a 3-axis gimbal can handle vibrations in three directions; in addition to tilt (vertical) and roll (rotation), it can compensate for pan (horizontal) movements, making it possible to capture footage with even less shake than a 2-axis gimbal.

When choosing a smartphone gimbal, you should select a 3-axis model if possible to truly feel the effect.

Since the “hohem iSteady X2” is a 3-axis gimbal, you can expect powerful stabilization.

Furthermore, the maximum payload, compatible phone width, and thickness are sufficient to support even the largest latest iPhone, the “iPhone 13 Pro Max.”
However, be aware that if you attach certain cases or accessories, it might not be compatible. While standard cases should generally be fine, please be extra careful if you use specialized or bulky cases.

Included Items

• Main unit
• Remote control
• Mini tripod stand
• Type-C cable
• Dedicated pouch
• Strap
• Manual

The manual includes Japanese language support.

Appearance

Actual Usage Feel

Footage

Whether filming while walking or even running, I was able to capture smooth video. The image stabilization is truly powerful!
I feel that it allows you to capture impactful, blur-free footage in situations like running or minor action scenes that would be impossible to film steadily with smartphone stabilization alone.

Also, the variety of shooting modes and filters like panoramic video made filming feel fun. If you make effective use of these, you can even capture camera movements that would be impossible by hand.

However, when clipping the smartphone into the gimbal, the phone’s power button, volume buttons, and case occasionally interfere with the mechanism. I was able to adjust it to make it work, but there is a possibility that it might not work with some incompatible smartphones.

Remote Control

I felt that having a remote control makes a huge difference. Just having it changes what you can do significantly. Being able to film yourself or operate the device remotely from a specific location is quite a big deal.

There is some slight latency, but it isn’t bothersome enough to be a concern.

Buttons

Like the remote, I feel there are too many types of button operations. Perhaps because there are so many features, the button controls are complex.

To give specific examples:

Power Button
Single press	Switch between landscape and portrait modes
Double press	Gimbal returns to initial position
Triple press	Auto-rotation
5 presses	Auto-calibration
7 presses	Remote pairing

As you can see, it is quite complex.

I recommend using the dedicated app I will introduce next for settings and operations.

Dedicated App

When using the gimbal, you need to install this dedicated app. It was quite a hassle because I first had to register for an account.

You can adjust various settings from this app. Given that it is multifunctional, it would be impossible to configure everything in detail using just the buttons.

Additionally, the app allows you to set various filters, and there are several types of filter shooting modes such as “Hitchcock mode” (dolly zoom), which keeps the subject the same size while moving the background, panoramic video, time-lapse, slow motion, and fast-motion shooting.

Furthermore, features like gesture shooting, which starts recording when it recognizes a specific gesture; target tracking, which recognizes and follows an object; and face tracking, which accurately follows the position of a face even when the subject moves, can also be configured via the app.

Conclusion

I was surprised that the stabilization was stronger than I imagined. It’s a must-have for anyone who films while walking around town.
Also, the fact that a carrying pouch is included and it is lightweight are nice points.

If you master this device, you’ll be able to capture footage that is several levels above what you’ve done before.
If you film often, I don’t think you’ll regret owning one.

Among smartphone gimbals, I feel this one offers quite high cost-performance.

Recommended for

Thank you for reading until the end!

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This article was originally written in Japanese and has been translated.