DJI today announced the DJI OM 5, the latest in its line of smartphone stabilizer gimbals designed to transform phones into powerful tools for video creation.
The OM 5 boasts some major design changes and upgrades to make the system more portable and versatile. Most notable is a new, built-in telescoping extension rod that provides 8.4 inches of extra reach for selfies and other shots. Even if you’re not filming yourself, a selfie stick can be useful to get a different perspective from up high or down low, and can even be used to capture shots that look as if they were filmed with a drone.
Despite this new capability, DJI has managed to shrink the size of the OM 5 so that it’s now one-third smaller than its predecessor when packed down. A redesign of the phone clamp allows the OM 5 to be used with a smartphone in a case, and to fit a wider range of phones. The phone clamp is magnetic, and DJI is offering an optional clamp with built-in selfie lights as a $59 accessory (available at a later date). That’s going to be very useful in dark rooms or in situations where you want yourself to stand out, as well as to soften harsh shadows. There’s also a new button on the handle to allow easy access to some of the gimbal’s extra features.
The smaller size and built-in selfie stick unfortunately do come at the cost of battery life. The OM 5 only gets a little under six-and-a-half hours of battery life, whereas the older OM 4 was rated for more than twice that at 15 hours. That’s a lot less shooting time, but since a phone gimbal isn’t something most people use for hours upon end, it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.
The OM 5 only gets a little under six-and-a-half hours of battery life.
The more powerful motors of the OM 5 provide greater stabilizing performance, and updated computing hardware and software allow for more intelligent and robust features. Perhaps the most exciting of these is ActiveTrack 4.0, which enables more accurate and responsive subject tracking, including automatic face tracking. Other features include ShotGuides tutorials for beginners, gesture control, DynamicZoom, Timelapse, Motionlapse, Hyperlapse, automated panorama modes, spin shot, preset movement templates, and automated retouching software.
The DJI OM-5 retails for $159 and includes a magnetic clamp, power cable, tripod, storage pouch, and wrist strap. It’s available in two colors, Sunset White and Athen Gray, and is available to purchase now. It’s important to note that DJI is not discontinuing the previous OM 4, instead choosing to rename that gimbal as the OM SE and upgrade it with the new magnetic clamp for those who prefer a longer battery life. It’s also available at a lower $119 price point, though the current landing page is unavailable so it may still be in the works.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.
Apple's next cheaper iPhone could get a brand-new processor while keeping its most stubborn display compromise. Digital Chat Station tips the iPhone 18e for a 2027 release with a 2nm A20 chip and a 6.12-inch OLED screen still limited to 60Hz.
The rumored camera setup includes a single 48MP rear camera and a possible 24MP selfie camera. There's new hardware to consider, but buyers hoping Apple would extend that upgrade generosity to smoother scrolling could be disappointed.