On April 16, DJI unveiled its new pocket gimbal camera, the Osmo Pocket 4, tightening its focus on performance while lowering the entry price.
The latest generation retains the device’s compact form factor but raises imaging specifications and cuts pricing in response to intensifying competition.
Imaging performance sits at the center of the upgrade. The Pocket 4 features a one-inch CMOS sensor, expands dynamic range to 14 stops, and supports a ten-bit D-Log color mode aimed at professional workflows.
The most notable leap comes in high-frame-rate shooting. The device supports 4K slow-motion recording at 240 frames per second, a specification that approaches capabilities typically associated with higher-end professional gear. For portrait shooting, one of its primary use cases, the Pocket 4 also refines its skin tone algorithm, adds a built-in beauty filter, and introduces an external fill light accessory with three-level color temperature adjustment.
DJI also addresses a key limitation in earlier models, which relied on external memory cards. The Pocket 4 includes 107 gigabytes of internal storage and supports export speeds of up to 800 megabytes per second.
On software, the upgraded ActiveTrack 7.0 system, combined with two-times lossless zoom, is designed to improve subject tracking accuracy at a distance. The autofocus system adds a “registered subject priority” mode, intended to keep a pre-selected subject in focus in complex scenes.
DJI also previewed its 2026 roadmap, including the Osmo Pocket 4P, which is expected to feature a dual-camera system. Some analysts believe the 4P is designed to address pocket gimbal cameras’ limitations in telephoto performance by expanding focal length coverage through hardware.
Pricing was a central element of the launch. The standard Pocket 4 is priced at RMB 2,999, (USD 439.3) while the “Creator Combo” is set at RMB 3,799, (USD 556.4) representing reductions of RMB 500 (USD 73.2) and RMB 700, (USD 102.5) respectively, from the launch prices of the previous generation, the Pocket 3. The strategy of adding features while lowering prices is uncommon in this segment.
The pricing shift reflects broader industry dynamics. According to IDC, global gimbal camera shipments grew by more than 100% year-on-year in 2025. That growth has attracted competitors including Insta360 and GoPro. Smartphone makers such as Oppo have also reportedly begun exploring the category, according to 36Kr.
DJI appears to be leveraging its supply chain scale to compress industry margins and raise barriers to entry. With the Pocket 4, competition is shifting beyond specifications toward a mix of pricing pressure and incremental moves toward professional-grade features.
KrASIA features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.
Note: RMB figures are converted to USD at rates of RMB 6.83 = USD 1 based on estimates as of April 20, 2026, unless otherwise stated. USD conversions are presented for ease of reference and may not fully match prevailing exchange rates.