IFA 2025: DJI ventures into the 360° camera sector as Insta360 broadens its reach into drones.

      Credit: DJI

      DJI and Insta360, two prominent imaging technology companies from China, presented competing products at the IFA 2025 consumer electronics fair in Berlin from September 5 to 9, indicating a budding rivalry in the realms of 360-degree cameras and drones. DJI is renowned for its consumer and professional drones, while Insta360 focuses on 360-degree and action cameras. However, both brands are starting to overlap, with DJI exploring 360-degree camera technology and Insta360 venturing into drones.

      Importance: This competition highlights a broader trend in consumer electronics, where various product categories are merging and companies are expanding beyond their traditional specialties.

      Details: At IFA 2025, DJI introduced its inaugural panoramic camera, the Osmo 360, while Insta360 revealed its first 8K panoramic aerial drone, the Antigravity A1.

      Released in July, the DJI Osmo 360 is the company’s first panoramic camera to feature a square 1-inch CMOS sensor. Weighing 183 grams, the camera supports native 8K panoramic video recording with a dynamic range of 13.5 stops, enabling it to capture details in high-contrast environments like cityscapes at night or during sunrises and sunsets.

      The device includes DJI’s D-Log M mode with a 10-bit color depth, allowing recording of over one billion colors for greater flexibility in post-production. Its magnetic quick-release system is compatible with Osmo Action accessories, and an invisible selfie stick allows for third-person perspective shooting. In terms of battery life, the Osmo 360 can continuously record for up to 100 minutes in 8K/30fps mode, with fast charging capability to reach 50% in just 12 minutes.

      Insta360 launched the Antigravity A1, its first 8K panoramic aerial drone, designed with a "flight and shooting separation" principle. Featuring dual panoramic lenses and 360-degree image stitching, this drone allows users to gather comprehensive aerial footage in a single flight and reframe it during post-production.

      Weighing 249 grams, the drone comes with Vision flight goggles and a Grip motion controller, offering head-tracking and gesture-based controls for an enhanced flying experience. It also includes automatic landing gear, visual obstacle avoidance, and payload detection systems to improve safety. The Antigravity A1 is set to be released in January 2026.

      Context: The IFA 2025, or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, is among the largest consumer electronics trade shows globally and serves as a key indicator of industry trends. This year's event, themed “Imagine the Future,” emphasized advancements in smart home technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainable tech, attracting around 1,900 exhibitors from around the world.

      Chinese companies prominently featured at IFA 2025, showcasing China's expanding influence in the global consumer electronics market. Alongside DJI and Insta360, major home appliance brands like Haier, Midea, and TCL displayed their latest AI-driven products. The lineup also included smart cleaning brands such as Roborock and Dreame, along with consumer electronics manufacturers like Lenovo and Honor.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. Connect with her via e-mail: [email protected].