The SMOOTH-X is a sub $60, foldable smartphone Gimbal

Zhiyun just announced a smartphone gimbal that is cheaper than a cup of soup in some restaurants – the smooth X. I am actually kinda surprised by the number of features you can cram into a gadget that costs so little.

The biggest highlight of this gimbal is the fact that it folds down to pocket size. Ideally, that would make it easier to have the gimbal ready whenever you want it. In a world that may soon rid of smartphone gimbals (See Huawei p40), this is a big move in the direction of reducing the overhead of carrying another gadget.

Features

Maybe the last thing I wanna go through is the number of software features that $59 can get you.

• Instant Landscape & Portrait Transition –  the gimbal features a button that moves from landscape to portraits mode (or as the kids call it, TikTok mode).
• Object Tracking – This one seems like its using the same tech as the bigger Zhiyun gimbals, Only instead of moving a big Crane 3 LAB, it is moving a tiny phone.
• Gestures Control – If you own a Samsung (and maybe some other phones), you know that you can start the camera by making a “stop” gesture with your hand. A similar concept is implemented in the Smooth X software allowing you to start the camera by waving or making a “v” gesture.
• The Smooth X also features an extendable handle making it a stabilized 26 centimeters selfie stick.

A new app

Zhiyun earned a… well… .cetrain rep with their apps. They hope to fix those impressions with a new ZY Cami app (Android | iPhone).  According to Zhiyun, in addition to controlling the gimbal, this app also has editing and color grading features, as well as a set of video and movement templates.

Specs

Price and availability

The Smooth X is available for pre-order and should start shipping by the end of the month in gray or white for $59.99. Will you get one?