Smartphone gimbal with selfie stick and AI camera module – Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra review
Cool modules.
Compact gimbal, selfie stick, key light, gesture control, AI tracking camera, and a detachable touchscreen remote — all packed into one device. That’s what the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra offers for around $150. We took it for a spin to see what it’s capable of.Christian Hintze (translated by Christian Hintze) Published 🇩🇪
Verdict – stands out from the gimbal crowd
There are plenty of smartphone gimbals out there, but the modular design of the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra — featuring a key light/camera module and a detachable touchscreen remote — is truly unique. It helps this model stand out from the competition.
The extra camera allows AI subject tracking to work impressively well, which is a huge plus if you want to be in front of the camera instead of behind it.
A few minor downsides: vertical locking isn’t perfect, and the companion app could use some work. But those are small issues — the gimbal performs great in most scenarios, even without the app.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
In Germany, the price is just €151,20 on Amazon.de. On Amazon.com you'll have to pay $169.
Let’s be honest — smartphone gimbals are awesome in theory, but in practice they’re often too bulky and heavy for most casual users to take on trips. A selfie stick? Sure, that might make it into your bag. But a gimbal? Usually not.
Enter the foldable Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra, which combines a selfie stick and a gimbal in one compact device. And that’s not even its best selling point — the Hohem still has a few more tricks up its sleeve!
Specifications
| Model | Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra |
| Payload | 400 g |
| Selfie stick lenght | Länge: 205 mm |
| Battery | 1550 mAh; charging time ~2.5 hours |
| Runtime | ~9 hours (balanced and stationary ~4 hours (AI tracking and key light in use) |
| Weight | 428 g |
| Light & AI camera | 2 MP; 14 g; 110 Lux @ 0.5 m 6500 K (cool), 5000 K (neutral), 2700 K (warm) |
| Touchscreen remote | 16 g; 1.22″ full color; 140 mAh battery; gesture/object tracking up to 10 m |
| Price | $169,00 on Amazon.com |
The most interesting feature is the two magnetically attached, removable modules: the key light with AI tracking camera (which can face forward or backward), and the touchscreen remote. Together, they enable gesture control as well as face and object tracking without needing the phone’s camera or app.
Many selfie sticks have removable shutter remotes (gimbals not so much), but this one takes it a step further. With the touchscreen remote, you can select a subject — or yourself — and let the camera track it automatically, even when the gimbal is standing on its own.
Ergonomics and operation – AI tracking via camera module
At the bottom, you’ll find three slim, fold-out metal legs and a tripod mount.
When folded, the gimbal is pleasantly compact — though at just over 400 g, not exactly light. The plastic housing feels sturdy and solid, partly thanks to that weight.
The grip feels comfortable, though users with very large hands might find their fingers bumping into the remote. The rear trigger (for tracking and alignment) is easy to reach with your index finger, and the dial on the left (for adjusting light) sits conveniently under the thumb. When the remote is docked into the gimbal, it’s slightly less comfortable to use — a second hand helps. For true one-handed use, the controls sit a bit too low and too far away from the position of the fingers.
Otherwise, button placement is intuitive, and gesture control is supported as well.
Hohem Joy app – poor reviews, thankfully optional
On the Google Play Store, the Hohem Joy app has a worrying 2.5-star rating. Users complain about choppy videos, exposure flicker, crashes, missing instructions, and connection issues. The general consensus: great gimbal, terrible app.
Thankfully, most settings can be adjusted directly through the touchscreen remote, which offers plenty of functions — meaning the app is completely optional. In our tests, it didn’t crash, at least.
Real-world test – smooth operation with minor quirks
Time for some test shots. Using the remote, you can choose between different axis modes, allowing horizontal pans but restricting vertical tilt, or lock the gimbal onto a fixed subject so it stays centered even as you move the handle. A small LED on the camera/light module indicates tracking status (green = active, red = inactive).
Horizontal axis locking works great, but vertical movement is more limited. Tilt too far up or down, and the gimbal — and thus the image — tilts with it, even in All Lock Mode. You’ll get the best results by keeping the gimbal upright; it doesn’t like being pushed too far forward.
There are also some tracking hiccups during vertical camera movements (up/down). The AI tracking can lose sight of the subject — especially if movements are fast, of course.
Because the AI camera isn’t in the exact same position as your phone’s camera, slight framing differences can occur. This means your subject might not be perfectly centered in the phone’s preview. The joystick can fix this, but you may have to readjust if tracking temporarily loses the subject. It also makes initial setup tricky when filming yourself with the rear camera, since you can’t see the phone screen.
All that said, these are minor issues. The tracking system is surprisingly effective and pans smoothly rather than abruptly. There’s even a Sport Mode that increases tracking speed. Here are some minor impressions:
Summary
The Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra is a compact selfie stick gimbal with impressive AI tracking and a touchscreen remote. It’s a clever, well-designed hybrid that manages to feel both innovative and practical — and it’s a great choice for creators who like to be on camera themselves.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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