Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S: which camera to choose?

After the GO 3S released in 2024, Insta360 returns with a new evolution: the GO Ultra. More recent, it promises to further refine the recipe that has made this mini-camera such a success, always ready to go where others won’t, and to follow all your creative follies. So, in this Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S duel, what new features does the latest generation really bring? Which one is right for you? And if you already own the GO 3S, should you upgrade to the GO Ultra? All the answers in this comparison.

Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S: What you need to know

⏱️ No time to read it all (or just lazy)? Here’s a summary of the key points of the comparison 👇

• ✨ Design: the GO 3S remains the most compact and lightest. The GO Ultra adopts a squarer format and features a larger screen (2.5” vs. 2.2”).
• 🔋 Autonomy: big leap forward with the GO Ultra (70 min on its own, 200 min with Action Pod) versus 38/140 min on the 3S.
• 📸 Image: larger sensor, 4K video up to 60 fps and new PureVideo mode for low light on the GO Ultra. The GO 3S remains limited to 4K30.
• 🎤 Audio & compatibility: the GO Ultra accepts more external microphones (Insta360 Mic Air, DJI Mic…) and offers richer recording.
• 💸 Prices: the GO Ultra starts at €429, the GO 3S at €399 (64 GB version). Designer and theme packs vary for each.

🔎 To sum up, this Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S comparison highlights the Ultra’s greater performance and versatility, against the 3S’s unbeatable compactness.

Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S : Design

	Insta360 GO Ultra	Insta360 GO 3S
Weight	Stand-alone camera: 52.9 g Action Pod: 108.5 g	Stand-alone camera: 39.1 g Action Pod: 96.3 g
Dimensions	Stand-alone camera: 46 x 45.7 x 18.3 mm Action Pod (closed screen): 70.4 x 48.8 x 33.3 mm Action Pod (open screen): 70.4 x 91.2 x 33.6 mm	Stand-alone camera: 25.6 x 54.4 x 24.8 mm Action Pod (closed screen): 63.5 x 47.6 x 29.5 mm Action Pod (open screen): 63.5 x 86.6 x 29.9 mm
Touch screen	2.5 inch	2.2 inches
Waterproofing	Stand-alone camera: 10 meters Action Pod: splash-proof	Stand-alone camera: 10 meters Action Pod: splash-proof
Operating temperature	-20 °C to 40 °C	-20 °C to 40 °C
Storage	microSD card up to 2TB	64 GB or 128 GB internal memory

Format, weight and screen

Visually similar, the two cameras retain the modular principle dear to the GO range: a stand-alone mini-camera and an Action Pod that serves as both recharging unit and control module.

The difference is most noticeable in the proportions. At 52.9 g for the camera alone, the GO Ultra is slightly heavier than the GO 3S (39 g). Its square format (46 × 45.7 × 18.3 mm) contrasts with the more elongated, compact look of the GO 3S(25.6 × 54.4 × 24.8 mm).

The Action Pod follows the same logic: slightly more massive than the GO Ultra, but with a touch screen that increases from 2.2 to 2.5 inches. Brighter and more comfortable, it facilitates navigation and framing.

Storage and strength

The difference is clear when it comes to storage. The GO 3S makes do with internal memory, available in 64 or 128 GB versions. The slightly larger GO Ultra, on the other hand, opens the door to microSD cards of up to 2TB, making it far more flexible for long shooting sessions.

In terms of robustness, there’s no revolution: both cameras can withstand immersion up to 10 meters for the standalone part, while the Action Pod remains splash-proof. Enough to film serenely outdoors, as long as you’re careful with the main module.

Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S : Autonomy

	Insta360 GO Ultra	Insta360 GO 3S
Battery	Stand-alone camera: 500 mAhAction Pod: 1450 mAh	Stand-alone camera: 310 mAhAction Pod: 1270 mAh
Autonomy	Stand-alone camera: 70 minStand-alone camera + Action Pod: 200 min	Stand-alone camera: 38 minStand-alone camera + Action Pod: 140 min
Charging time	Stand-alone camera: 80% in 12 min at 80%, 100% in 20 minAction Pod: 80% in 18 min at 80%, 100% in 4 min	Stand-alone camera: 80% in 23 min, 100% in 35 minAction Pod: 80% in 47 min, 100% in 65 min
Loading method	Stand-alone camera: via Action PodAction Pod: USB-C	Stand-alone camera: via Action PodAction Pod: USB-C

Capabilities and autonomy

On paper, the Insta360 GO Ultra has a clear advantage. Its self-contained camera features a 500 mAh battery, compared with 310 mAh for the GO 3S. This translates into a theoretical autonomy of 70 minutes for the camera alone, compared with 38 minutes for the 3S.

With the Action Pod, the gap widens even further: 200 minutes claimed for the GO Ultra, compared with 140 minutes for the GO 3S. In practical terms, this represents more than an extra hour in the field.

In practice, real-world figures are often slightly lower, but the overall trend remains the same: according to published tests and available user feedback, the GO Ultra lasts around 45 minutes on its own and a little over 2 hours with the Action Pod, when recording in Full HD at 30 fps. Conditions vary according to use (Wi-Fi enabled, screen on, 4K…), but in any case, the GO Ultra remains considerably more enduring than the GO 3S.

Faster charging

Another notable improvement is the recharging process. The GO Ultra reaches 80% in just 12 minutes for the stand-alone camera (20 minutes for 100%), and 18 minutes for 80% on the Pod.

By comparison, the GO 3S required 23 minutes forthe camera and 47 minutes for the Pod to reach 80%. This saves a lot of time, allowing you to get back to filming without having to wait too long.

Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S : Features

	Insta360 GO Ultra	Insta360 GO 3S
Photo modes	Photo, HDR Photo, Live Photo, Interval Photo, Starlapse, Burst	Photo, HDR Photo, Interval, Starlapse
Video modes	Video, PureVideo, FreeFrame Video, Titan Child, TimeShift, Timelapse, Slow Motion, Loop Recording, Pre-recording, Interval Video, Timer Recording	Video, FreeFrame video, Timelapse, TimeShift, Slow motion, Pre-recording, Loop recording, Interval video
Audio modes	Automatic wind noise reduction (two levels), Voice enhancement, Stereo	Wind reduction, Stereo, Directional enhancement

Photo and video modes: GO Ultra passes a milestone

Both cameras are built on the solid foundations of the GO range, with classic photo modes (standard, HDR, interval, Starlapse…) and video modes (classic, FreeFrame, timelapse, TimeShift, slow motion, pre-recording, loop recording, etc.).

The GO Ultra, however, enriches the formula with some striking additions:

• Photo Live and Rafale expand photo options.
• New video modes are introduced, including Child Titan and, above all, PureVideo mode, inherited from Ace Pro 2, which significantly improves low-light capture.
• Last but not least, the programmed recording mode facilitates automated filming.

These additions clearly bring the GO Ultra closer to higher-end models, while retaining the ultra-compact spirit of the range.

Audio: a real leap forward in quality and compatibility

The GO Ultra switches to 48 kHz / 32-bit AAC recording, compared with 48 kHz / 24-bit on the GO 3S. Sound rendition is richer, more precise, and better suited to a variety of environments.

The GO Ultra is compatible not only with Insta360’s Mic Air, but also with the DJI Mic / Mic 2 / Mic Mini. Enough to appeal to creators looking for a more professional audio solution, or those already equipped in the DJI ecosystem.

What hasn’t changed: control and apps

In this respect, there’s no revolution: both models retain remote control, by voice or simple gestures (for example, waving your hand to trigger recording). An ideal solution when the camera is mounted on a helmet, bicycle or at a distance.

On the software side, the Insta360 applications (mobile and desktop) remain the central ally. They still enable you to control the camera, transfer and edit your videos, while benefiting from regular evolutions such as AI-assisted editing and its creative presets.

Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S : Image

	Insta360 GO Ultra	Insta360 GO 3S
Sensor	1/1.28 inch	1/2.3 inch
Objective	Aperture f/2.85 Equivalent to 14.27 mm FOV 156° (in mm)	Aperture f/2.8 16 mm equivalent
Photo resolution	Up to 50 MP	Up to 12 MP
Video resolution	4K up to 60 fps 2.7K up to 120 fps 1080p up to 240 fps	4K up to 30 fps 2.7K up to 30 fps 1080p up to 50 fps
Photo format	JPG DNG	JPG DNG
Video format	MP4	MP4
ISO range	100 à 6400	100 à 3200
Color profiles	Standard, Glow, Selfie, Vivid, Film, Vintage, Urban, Night	Standard, Vivid, Flat, Portrait
Max video rate	180 Mbps	120 Mbps

A game-changing sensor

The GO Ultra switches to a 1/1.28-inch sensor, more than double the surface area of the GO 3S (1/2.3 inch). This translates into better light management, especially in dark environments, and more detailed rendering overall. The arrival of a new AI chip engraved in 5 nm (compared with 14 nm on the 3S) also supports processing, notably in exposure optimization and noise reduction.

Definition-wise, the difference is obvious: the GO Ultra goes up to 50 MP for photos (vs. 12 MP on the 3S) and shoots in 4K 60 fps, whereas the 3S stopped at 30 fps. In video, it also boasts higher bitrates (180 Mbps vs. 120 Mbps) and more slow-motion options (up to 1080p 240 fps, vs. 1080p 50 fps on the 3S).

Enhanced image quality

In practice and based on available comparisons, the GO Ultra delivers finer images, with a better balance between shadows and highlights. The difference is particularly noticeable in low light, where its new PureVideo mode and larger sensor deliver cleaner, less noisy footage. We also note the arrival of H.265 encoding , more efficient than the H.264 used by the GO 3S, which optimizes compression without sacrificing quality.

For both photography and video, the GO Ultra is more versatile, but the GO 3S still delivers satisfactory results for conventional use. It’s still more than adequate if you’re shooting mainly in daylight or in well-lit conditions.

Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S: Packs and prices

Pack	Insta360 GO Ultra	Insta360 GO 3S
Standard package	429 € See on Amazon	399,99 € See on Amazon
Designer’s pack	479 € See on Amazon	516 €
Other theme packs	From €494 to €527	From €422 to €571

It’s mainly through their standard and designer packs that we can compare the two cameras, as these are the only two they really have in common. The other theme packages (running, cycling, family…) differ from model to model, making the comparison less relevant.

The standard GO Ultra package is priced at €429 and includes camera, lens cap, lanyard, magnetic pendant and Easy Clip. Opposite, the GO 3S starts at €399.99 for the 64 GB version (or €429.99 for 128 GB), with a fairly similar content: camera, lens cap, Action Pod, magnetic pendant, swivel mount and Easy Clip. It’s worth noting that the price difference narrows as soon as you move up to the 128 GB version, since the price is almost the same as that of the GO Ultra.

In terms of designer packs, the GO Ultra is priced at €479, with the addition of a quick-release stand, a 2-in-1 mini tripod and a swivel stand. The GO 3S designer pack, on the other hand, goes up to €516. It’s more expensive, but also more extensive, as it includes additional accessories such as the Quick Reader and a flexible pocket stand.

Finally, the two cameras are also available in different theme packs (cycling, running, family…) with prices ranging from €494 to €527 for the GO Ultra, and €422 to €571 for the GO 3S. In all cases, each model is available in white or black. Note that the GO 3S requires a choice of internal memory capacity (64 or 128 GB), while the GO Ultra works only with a microSD card, eliminating this choice at the time of purchase.

Conclusion Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S: Should you go for it?

The GO Ultra is the logical successor to the GO 3S, and it does so brilliantly. It brings a larger sensor, new video resolutions up to 4K 60 fps and 1080p 240 fps, battery life extended to over 3 hours with the Action Pod, a larger, more comfortable touch screen , and above all the arrival of PureVideo mode, designed to enhance low-light shots. In short, an update that makes the camera more versatile and efficient on all fronts.

Against it, the GO 3S still has a major advantage: its ultra-compact, lightweight format, unbeatable for those who want a miniature camera that can be carried everywhere without ever feeling it. But this record-breaking size also means compromises: a much shorter battery life, fewer available modes and a more limited sensor.

To sum up this Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S comparison, the GO Ultra has the edge in almost every respect(endurance, features, image), while the GO 3S remains the queen of compactness. It’s up to you to choose according to your priorities: performance or minimalism.

I already have the Insta360 GO 3S, should I upgrade to the GO Ultra?

It all depends on your use. If the extreme compactness of the GO 3S is enough for you, and you’re happy with its battery life and 4K at 30 fps, you can carry on with it. On the other hand, if you’re looking for greater endurance, a larger sensor or the new PureVideo mode for low-light filming, the GO Ultra represents a real leap forward. In this case, the upgrade becomes worthwhile.

🔗 To find out more, check out our two full tests of the cameras in this Insta360 GO Ultra vs GO 3S comparison:
➡️ Detailed test of the Insta360 GO Ultra
➡️ Full test of the Insta360 GO 3S