GoPro teases Max 2, its new 360 action camera

After six years, GoPro is finally looking to be launching a refreshed 360-degree action camera, the Max 2. In images posted to social media, the company teased the rumors that it would be coming in 2025. Here’s what we know so far.

Sadly, we don’t know much; GoPro teased the new camera over the weekend on its social platforms. The camera looks to be in a similar form factor, a rather square box with large cameras; the photos only showed one side. All GoPro shared in the posts were “Dropping… 👀.”

The only cosmetic difference we can see is that the camera locations will seemingly be in the center of the camera’s body, not shifted over to one side like before. There’s also some extra venting for cooling.

The current GoPro Max features 5.3K stitched video at 30 frames per second, up to 18 MP stills, all from two 1/2.3 inch cameras. A Max 2 would obviously see big increases in specs from this 2019 camera, probably something similar to or better than Insta360’s flagship X5.

Insta360’s X5 blows the GoPro out of the water with 8K 360 footage at 30 frames per second and 5.7K at 60, making it a hard sell for anyone to pick up the GoPro over the Insta360 these days.

The only selling point could be the price; the X5 goes for about $549.99 when not on sale, but the Max is as low as $299.99 because of its age. You can expect the Max 2 to have a higher price when released.

DroneDJ’s Take

While action cameras and camera drones have been all the rave since the 2010s, the 2020s seem to be the year of 360 cameras. Giving users the ability to reframe their shots and almost providing drone-like options for budget vloggers, they make great additions to the gear list.

GoPro’s slow second generation of its Max camera probably slowed its brand’s adoption by users as a 360 camera, as Insta360 dominated the market, nearly unchecked, for the last five years. I would bet you’ll see DJI come out with a strong 360 camera this year as well to better compete in this market.

However, both GoPro and DJI have a long road ahead of them to catch up to Insta360.

2025 may just be the year of the 360-camera battles.