Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI review: a phone gimbal for real life

A gimbal lives or dies by setup time. If you must unfold it, balance the phone and open a menu before every shot, it stays in a drawer. The Smooth 5S AI is a handheld stabiliser, so it adds bulk next to a bare phone.

Check two things before buying. First, whether your phone fits with its case on. Thick cases often force you to rebalance. Second, whether the controls feel right in one hand. A small joystick and a few buttons are easier to use while walking than a screen full of menus.

Performance, app and camera smarts

Phone cameras already smooth out small shakes. A gimbal goes further. It helps with walking, panning and shots where you move alongside a subject. That matters if you make product videos, travel clips or family films.

The app is part of the package. It can add filming modes and tracking controls. It can also ask for camera and gallery access, so check permissions. The real test is whether tracking holds when you walk and talk, not just when you stand still. Battery life is the other daily test. A built-in rechargeable battery saves you carrying spares, but it becomes one more thing to charge before a shoot.

Price, rivals and the verdict

The obvious rivals are DJI's Osmo Mobile gimbals and Insta360 Flow. Both promise steady phone video and smart tracking. The Smooth 5S AI has to justify its price against those options. Pricing and India availability details are awaited, so don't assume it's a bargain.

Here's the clear view. Buy it if you film moving shots often and want tracking without a second person. Wait if you mostly shoot short, still clips, because your phone's built-in stabilisation may be enough. The review makes the category look interesting, not the purchase automatic.

Key Takeaways

• The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is a motorised phone gimbal with AI subject tracking.
• It can help with walking shots, solo videos and product clips.
• Setup time, app quality and price matter more than the AI label.
• Skip it if your phone already handles the video you shoot.

Frequently Asked Questions