Struggling with shaky footage or fiddly app setups? Then the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra could be the mobile film-making accessory that you’re looking for, able to quickly transform your standard mobile phone into a fully fledged filming rig. Once your phone is mounted onto the V3 Ultra, you will then have professional-level stabilisation, AI features, a detachable touchscreen remote, and a design that feels like it’s been built by creators, for creators. There’s simply no faff, no app dependency, all you need to do is pick it up and get filming, wherever you are.
Pick up a Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra now using one of the following links!
- Hohem web: https://bit.ly/3J5CTTM
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lpoy32
We’re now at a point where mobile gimbals have matured beyond just keeping your shots steady and with the V3 Ultra, Hohem has created something more intelligent, that genuinely supports you as a solo content creator or vlogger, and families who just want their footage to look good without having to mess about with constant app pairing or fine-tuning controls. What you get here with the V3 Ultra is a stabiliser that actually makes filming easier with results that instantly look more professional.
I first tested the iSteady V3 back in 2024, which you can check out here and was instantly impressed with its balance of build quality, stabilisation and value for money.
One of the unique features was that it had a removable remote, which enabled me to control the gimbal and recording functions remotely. But now with the V3 Ultra, Hohem has enhanced everything about the V3 with the Ultra featuring better motors, more intelligent AI tracking, a longer extension pole, and a touchscreen remote that gives you full control, and even features a live feed built in.
Detachable touchscreen remote with live feed and 10m control range
While the enhanced power, design and aesthetics are all a welcome leap forward, it’s the detachable touchscreen remote that really makes a significant difference between this mobile gimbal stabiliser and the competition.
The removable module is a real innovation and by no means a gimmick. It enables you to mount your phone and activate the high-quality rear cameras, then you can present to the camera with the gimbal AI being used to track your movements.The issue is that as those high-quality cameras are mounted on the back of the phone, there’s no screen and usually no way of checking the composition if you’re filming on your own. With the removable 1.22″ touch screen remote, you can swipe right to activate the live stream from the AI module, and you get the live stream from the AI camera. It might not be exactly what the phone’s camera is recording, but it will give you an accurate idea of the composition.
If you are a solo creator, then the benefits of this are huge, and with the record button mounted on the remote as well, there’s no need to run behind the camera to start recording either; simply use the screen to compose and then start recording all on the remote. This cuts out all the guessing about your framing or flipping between front and rear cameras; all you need to do is shoot and present.
The small remote then simply clips neatly back into the gimbal body, docking into the grip so that it can be used like any normal gimbal control panel or popped out easily and used wirelessly from up to 10 metres away.
This will open up loads of creative possibilities, including wide-angle walk-ins, behind-the-scenes shots, or simply setting the gimbal down and filming yourself without running back and forth to tap the screen. The small remote gives you full joystick control, mode switching, and touchscreen access to all major functions. For such a small device, it’s surprisingly intuitive and just works, which isn’t always the case with accessories like this.
Multimodal AI enables gesture, touch, and object recognition.
When I reviewed the Hohem iSteady V3, I was impressed with the stabilisation and AI tracking, but at the core of the V3 Ultra update is a further boost to the AI tracking module. Again, the module sits under the phone mount and can be unclipped and rotated to face in the same direction as the screen or cameras, depending on what you’re filming.
The AI module does a lot of heavy lifting, without needing your phone’s camera or processing power. This means the system works regardless of whether you’re on iOS or Android, and if you need to use someone else’s phone, then there’s no need to download the App; it just works. As the gimbal is doing all this processing, it also means that it isn’t drawing power from the phone’s battery or utilising Bluetooth or other resources, which could cause app glitches.
The AI system is built on multimodal recognition, which is a fancy way of saying it understands gestures, physical touch, and even what objects you want it to track. The new system builds on the usual people and adds pets, cars and more; it doesn’t matter now what you want to track, all you now need to do is tap twice on the subject in the touch screen, and it will lock on target. If you’re wondering at what distance this tracking all works, then that is a valid thought and one that I was wondering about as well. Checking in with the team at Hohem, they’ve confirmed it’s anything between 0.5m and 7m.
Then just show the AI module an ‘OK’ hand sign and it’ll start tracking. Two thumbs up, and it’ll switch orientation. Want to stop tracking? Hold your palm out flat. There’s a whole range of gestures you can use to control recording, framing, and tracking, and they’re surprisingly reliable once you get the hang of them.
It’s this level of on-device intelligence that really sets the V3 Ultra apart from the competition, and while others may now incorporate their own AI features, only Hohem includes the innovative touch screen remote with live view. The one thing that you’ll notice as soon as you start to use the gimbal is that it works with you, so it isn’t you who has to always keep up with the action; that AI tracking will help out, enabling you to create and capture far more professional footage.
360° infinite pan & 205mm extension pole perfect for travel, vlogging, family filming
The new features are core to the new V3 Ultra, but as good as the AI tracking is, it needs to be supported by smooth and stable stabilisation.
The upgraded iSteady 9.0 system offers three-axis stabilisation as standard, but also includes something that’s surprisingly rare, 360° infinite pan. This means the gimbal can spin around continuously without hitting a limit, giving you more creative freedom when tracking movement or capturing cinematic sweeps. You’ll notice it most when filming people walking in circles, capturing dynamic transitions, or just getting that smooth rolling motion across a scene. In use, the different shots that you can get with this new feature really do separate it from the potential of all other gimbals, and it’s something that seems so simple.
Adding to that is the built-in 205mm aluminium extension pole, which gives you more versatility than you’d expect from a compact handheld gimbal. You can easily get above-the-head crowd shots, low-to-the-ground angles, or simply fit the whole family into frame without doing the arm-stretch struggle.
The pole also helps with balance and weight distribution when you’re filming for extended periods. The slightly heavier design actually works in its favour here, giving it a bit more presence and reducing unwanted shake from minor hand movements.
The fold-down and pack-away design measures in at 98mm x 44mm x 160mm, and despite all its functionality, the V3 Ultra is robust enough to travel without worrying about damaging an axis. To be honest, I would be more than happy to chuck it in a side pocket or sling it into a backpack knowing it’ll hold up, which isn’t something I’d say about every stabiliser at this price point.
Beyond all that, there’s the App, Hohem Play, which opens up even more features and is compatible with both iOS and Android. You’ve got time-lapse, panoramic capture, filters, and the excellent “Moment” mode, which adds stylised effects like dolly zooms or slow-motion overlays. The App’s user interface is clean and simple, with decent manual controls if you want to dig deeper. And unlike a lot of third-party gimbal apps, it plays nicely with both Android and iOS devices.On iPhone, I particularly liked how it automatically switches lenses as you zoom, a small detail, but it makes a big difference in final quality.
The other thing that the Hohem Play app enables is integration with social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Telegram, and more.
One of my biggest fears when it comes to these mobile gimbap is battery life. The battery has been well considered, and with balanced use, you’re looking at up to nine hours on a single charge. If you’re using AI tracking and the fill light constantly, expect closer to four or five, but even that’s decent. I managed a full day of mixed filming on a single charge without worrying about topping up, and that includes testing the remote, AI features, and app functions throughout.
So, who’s this for? Honestly, pretty much anyone filming solo. Whether you’re running a YouTube channel, documenting your kids growing up, filming dance routines, or livestreaming a dog walk, this compact gimbal is an ideal solution. It doesn’t overcomplicate things, it gives you plenty of control when you want it, and most importantly, it just helps you make better-looking videos without needing a whole production crew.
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