Review: Checking out the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal

DJI has released the Osmo Mobile 6 3-axis smartphone stabilizer, here to stabilize your videos. Should vloggers and content creators pay attention?

Osmo Mobile 6 offers the ability to create ultra-smooth videos, giving you the ability to create smooth panning and panning, presenting alternate perspectives, automatically following subjects even when mounted on a tripod, and pulling focus. Let’s find out more.

Note: DJI sent us the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 for our review and retention. However, this is a completely independent review. All ideas about this gimbal are our own.

Positives

Solid high-end construction
The Mimo app contains many tutorials, instructions, and useful information for ease of use
easy to use
The LED display shows battery life and status
The side wheel allows for zoom or focus control
Multiple video modes
Long battery life
Works well with the free Mimo app
Absurdly strong magnetic phone holder for quick setup
The tripod deploys easily for smooth video

cons

For Android users, the Mimo app must be downloaded from the DJI website, not Google Play
Some features are not available for Android smartphone users

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – Technical Specifications

All technical specifications of DJI Osmo Mobile 6 are taken from DJI’s official website.

Public

Dimensions:

Unfolded: 276 x 111.5 x 99mm (L x W x H)
Folded: 189 x 84.5 x 44 mm (L x W x H)

Weight:

Gimbal: approx. 309 grams

Magnetic Phone Clip: Approx. 31 grams

Compatible phone weight: 170-290g

Compatible phone thickness: 6.9-10mm

Compatible phone width: 67-84mm

battery

Type: Li-Po 2S

Capacity: 1000 mAh

Power: 7.74 watts

Charge temperature: 5° to 40°C (41° to 104°F)

Operating temperature: 0° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)

Operating time: approx. 6 hours 24 minutes (measured under ideal conditions with the stand perfectly balanced)

Charging time: approx. 1 hour 24 minutes (measured with a 10W Type-C charger)

Gimbal charging port: USB-C

gimbal

Mechanical range:

Pan: -161.64 degrees to 173.79 degrees
Roll: -120.30° to 211.97°
Tilt: -101.64° to 78.55°

Maximum control speed: 120°/sec

wireless mode

Model: Bluetooth 5.1

Programming

Application: DJI Mimo

tripod grip

Dimensions:

Length: 138 mm
Diameter: 32 mm

weight approx. 72 grams

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – Ergonomics and build quality

The smartphone has an elegant look and a solid feel. All controls feel well-made, well-equipped, and robust. The gimbal is very comfortable to hold, due in part to the contoured shape of the handle. Also, the controls are nicely laid out ergonomically, making it easy to change modes, zoom, or focus with ease.

Tripod, DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal — Ready to record with a tripod, which comes with the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal

Quick Launch

Interestingly, the Osmo Mobile 6 works instantly as soon as you open it up. This allows you to move forward faster, or at least eliminates one more step. If you are using an iPhone, the Mimo app will also launch automatically. Nice.

The gimbal feels sturdy when opened. This quick launch feature may seem trivial when reading it, but I quickly came to appreciate it when creating videos.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – In the field

Prior to this review, I had never used a gimbal before. I don’t usually do video, I primarily do photography. At first, I recommended that someone else write the review. However, I decided that some of the views from a first time user might be of value to some.

Given that, let’s start with question 29: How easy is a feature-packed gimbal for a first-time user to use?

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – Handheld Panning. This was my first attempt at gimbal navigation.

I’m relieved to report that it’s fairly easy. Within minutes I had the app installed on my 2020 iPhone SE, paired it with the gimbal, read the tutorials, and was creating smoother videos.

Tripod and extension arm, DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal — Tripod and extension rod, DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal

The gimbal has an extension rod. Simply pull it and it expands to approximately 8.5 inches. This allows you to get some distance for selfies or gain some height. I’ve found that you can use it for low-sweep perspectives close to the ground, too.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – Low-profile example with an extended stick

Magnetic phone clip

The magnetic phone holder easily clips onto your phone, supporting phones up to 3.3 inches wide. From there, the very strong magnets are latched onto the hub. Simply line up the dots and PLOP! Your phone is securely connected.

One of the great aspects of the Mimo app is that it provides prompts and instructions if something isn't working right. screenshot. — One of the great aspects of the Mimo app is that it provides prompts and instructions if something isn’t working right.

If the magnet mount isn’t perfectly aligned, the Mimo app and the system indicator on the status panel will flash red, letting you know right away. It’s easy. This magnetic alignment detection functionality is a new feature of the Osmo Mobile 6.

Mimo application

Part of the reason why the gimbal is so easy to use is due to its well-designed implementation. The gimbal pairs beautifully with its Mimo app. Installation couldn’t be easier.

After the two were paired, which took several seconds, I was pleased to find that the Mimo app provided a quick tutorial, pointing out gimbal controls and more. Not only that, it has provided links to additional videos. very nice. The connection was solid, never stuttering.

Screenshot of the Mimo app, showing both Grid and Diagonal Lines to help arrange videos. These are optional and can be turned on and off.

While the Mimo app is available for iPhone users in the iTunes App Store, the app is not available for Android devices in the Google Play Store. Android users should instead download the file directly from the DJI website. Moreover, some features of the app are not available for Android phones.

status panel

Starting at the top of the gimbal controls, the status panel notifies you when the device is connected to the app by showing a green light. Below this light is another battery symbol light that indicates the remaining battery charge. If the remaining charge drops below 20%, it turns red. And to the right of this is an indicator that shows the mode in which the device is located. This is a new feature added to this model.

Mode button

The “M” button allows you to switch between gimbal modes. This is located next to the indicator showing which position it is in, which is a good logical placement. Pressing the “M” button three times puts the hub into “standby” mode.

The default mode is continue mode, which provides general stability, and is probably the most commonly used mode. Next is the tilt lock mode. This keeps the camera horizontal no matter how you move the gimbal. It also has an FPV mode, which sets all three axes to follow the main subject no matter how the subject moves. Finally, the gimbal also has a very interesting Spin Shot, which helps rotate the camera for circular action shots.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – Follow the example of the Stick

Register button

There is a red record button below the “M” button. This allows you to start and stop recording a video. Or if you’re in photo mode, this will act as a shutter button. The button is reasonably large and raised, providing ease of use.

change button

This button, which displays two curved arrows, allows you to physically change the orientation of your phone from landscape (landscape) to portrait (portrait). Those who want to quickly switch between capturing video for TikTok, YouTube shorts, Instagram Reels, Facebook Stories, or standard video will especially appreciate this handy feature.

Since it is a toggle button, you can also switch between video and photo mode if you press it three times.

side wheel

A welcome new feature for the Osmo Mobile 6 is the side wheel. You can easily reach the side wheel with your thumb. This allows you to either zoom in or adjust focus. To me, the zoom knob seemed a little sensitive. I found it easy to zoom in or out just a bit too quickly. Mind you, this was my first time using a gimbal, and I don’t know how it compares to other gimbals.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 – Zoom Example (Handheld)

You can use the focus control to grab focus, moving from a person or item in the foreground to another person or item in the background. This will add a considerably more professional look to many of your videos, which will set you apart from other smartphone users.

Gimbal recenter screenshot, DJI Osmo Mobile 6 gimbal

Not tested but worth mentioning

This mount also allows you to attach the Osmo Mobile Fill Light to a phone clip. This uses the same type of magnetic mount as the smartphone and features LED lights on either side of the clip. These lights can be set to three levels of brightness and color temperature.

You can also mount the light and microphone on the hub if you purchase the Vlog Combo.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 also uses ActiveTrack 5.0 to keep track. This worked well for relatively static subjects or single subjects well. However, I started to track down someone else when that person walked in front.

The bottom of the gimbal handle features a mounting thread for mounting the gimbal to a tripod or other accessory.