DJI Osmo Mobile 8 goes global, leaves US creators waiting

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your smartphone gimbal, there’s good news… and then there’s the kind that stings a little. DJI has officially launched Osmo Mobile 8, the latest in its wildly popular line of smartphone stabilizers — everywhere except the US.

The new flagship gimbal is now available across Europe and most other regions starting today, but the company has confirmed it won’t be selling it in the US “through official websites” anytime soon. That’s a trend we’ve started to see lately: DJI rolling out new products first in China and then overseas, while US customers are left to watch from the sidelines. Still, let’s see what you’re (hopefully, temporarily) missing out on, and what you can get instead.

A 360° spin on smartphone filmmaking

The Osmo Mobile 8 (OM 8) takes everything creators love about DJI’s gimbals and dials it up. It’s the first Osmo Mobile that offers unlimited 360-degree horizontal rotation, which means buttery-smooth pans and creative movement shots without that awkward stop-and-start limitation.

And it’s not just movement that’s smarter — tracking is, too. OM 8 comes with three different ways to track a subject, including Apple DockKit, which allows iPhone users to use the phone’s own camera app for subject tracking. That’s right: you’re no longer locked to DJI’s Mimo app.

The gimbal can now also track cats and dogs in addition to people — purr-fect if your “influencer” has four legs. The upgraded ActiveTrack 7.0 ensures your subject stays perfectly in frame, even if the scene gets crowded or your dog has zero respect for staying still.

And yes, there’s a built-in extension rod and tripod, so you don’t need to lug around extra gear.

The OM 8’s new Multifunctional Module snaps on magnetically and is a small powerhouse: it adds an adjustable fill light with eight brightness and color-temperature levels, plus a microphone receiver that works with the new DJI Mic 3, Mic 2, and Mic Mini.

That means creators can have clean, directional sound without extra mounts or tangled cables. Gesture controls are also smarter than ever — flash a “V” sign to take a photo, or show your palm to start recording. (You’ll look like a magician, but your video will look even cooler.) All this fits into a lightweight 370-gram frame that can run for up to 10 hours and even charge your phone while filming.

But… not for US customers

Now for the frustrating part. DJI confirmed that the Osmo Mobile 8 will not be officially available in the US. At the same time, the company tells DroneDJ:

“DJI remains committed to the US market and is optimizing our strategy to best serve our customers amidst evolving local conditions.”

It’s a carefully worded line, but it’s hard to miss the subtext. DJI’s relationship with the US government has been rocky for a while, with the company facing increasing scrutiny and potential restrictions. So, the OM 8’s “international-only” rollout might be part of a broader strategy to stay cautious in this key market.

The result? US creators might not see the Osmo Mobile 8 on the official DJI Store anytime soon.

That said, at least one third-party reseller on Amazon claims it will bring the Osmo Mobile 8 to the US by Christmas. That’s not an official channel — meaning no DJI warranty or support — but if you’re keen to have the latest gimbal for your holiday travel vlogs, that might be your best shot.

If you’d rather play it safe, though, there’s another upside: discounts on the older models.

Osmo Mobile 7P and 7 are cheaper than ever

While DJI OM 8 steals headlines, its predecessors are quietly becoming some of the best bargains in stabilizers right now.

• Osmo Mobile 7P, which also features a Multifunctional Module for intelligent tracking and comes with a built-in light and mic receiver, is down to around $129, compared to its original $145-plus retail price.
• The Osmo Mobile 7 is now selling for about $75, down from $89.

Both offer DJI’s signature 3-axis stabilization, gesture control, ActiveTrack 7.0, and easy switching between front and rear cameras. Unless you really need that 360° spin or pet-tracking support, these two will more than handle your TikToks, Reels, or YouTube shorts.

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