The idea of a standalone display that lets you use your phone’s superior rear cameras for selfies and vlogging isn’t new. What the Insta360 Snap brings, though, is a level of polish and credibility often missing from a category crowded with cheap, no-name imports, promising a more refined take on a surprisingly useful accessory.
True to its name, Snap snaps on magnetically to an iPhone, Pixel 10 or any Android with the included magnetic ring or a magnetic case, and since it eschews wireless connectivity and batteries for a more stable, lower latency connection, you should check that your phone supports reverse charging and DisplayPort over USB-C before picking Snap up. The screen has a reversible cover which protects it when not in use and includes a power button and a 'mirror' button, allowing you to flip the image to whichever way is most comfortable for you.
Once connected, you get a 3.5-inch, 800x480 screen – a mirror of your phone display, with real-time preview - that is bright enough at 500 nits for you to frame your shots without squinting. If you’re planning on using this indoors or in dimly lit environments, Insta360 has a variant (₹11,999) that incorporates a rectangular ring light around the display screen, with 3 colors and 5 brightness levels for that perfect light setup. And since Snap has a touchscreen, you can change camera settings when you’re using it and navigate phone apps. That said, since it is a 3.5-inch screen, it’s best suited to camera apps and not for playing games, reading emails and the like. Come to think of it – the first iPhone had a similar sized, lower resolution screen – how times have changed!
Of course, it does use up the USB-C port while shooting, which restricts the use of a charger or external wired accessories, although you could, in theory, use a portable USB-C hub to work past this. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a solid quality upgrade for folks who shoot a lot of selfies or solo vlogs without spending a ton of money.
Rating: 9/10
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