Insta360 Ace Pro 2 leak suggests it could extend lead as world’s best 8K action cam

The Insta360 Ace Pro, released in November 2023, has held the crown as the most powerful action camera we’ve tested. But that might not last much longer—some leaked marketing materials are hinting at the arrival of an upgraded version, the Insta360 Ace Pro 2.

As usual, these leaks come from a reliable source, @Quadro_News on X (formerly Twitter). The leaked slides give us a sneak peek at what to expect from Insta360’s next flagship, which aims to compete directly with GoPro.

Earlier leaks had already mentioned that the Ace Pro 2 would come with a 1/1.3-inch main sensor, but this time, it’s rumored to have a 50MP resolution, up from 48MP. The new model is also expected to pair its 5nm AI chip with a new “Pro Imaging Chip.” While we don’t know exactly what this new chip does, it seems like it will improve software features like PureVideo, which focuses on enhancing performance in low-light situations.

According to the leaked specs, the Ace Pro 2 will now support Active HDR video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (up from the previous 4K/30p limit), and PureVideo will work for both 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.

Another interesting feature shown in the leaks is Insta360’s ‘Memories Album,’ which will use AI to organize and potentially even edit your clips, similar to GoPro’s Quik app. The marketing materials also boast that the Ace Pro 2 offers image quality in conditions that other action cameras can’t handle—clearly aiming at GoPro as their main competitor.

There’s no official release date yet, but if you’re thinking about buying a GoPro Hero 13 Black or DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, you might want to wait a bit—these leaks suggest the Ace Pro 2 could drop in the next couple of weeks.

What Needs Improvement?

The Ace Pro 2 appears to be more of an incremental upgrade over the Ace Pro. There’s still no word on whether it will support 10-bit color depth, a feature that could appeal to professionals who want more control when editing footage or shooting in a flat, log profile. Insta360 has said that the current model can’t handle 10-bit video due to hardware limitations, but if the Ace Pro 2 offers this feature, it could be a game-changer for pro users.

That said, the Ace Pro already earned rave reviews, with some calling it a “monster” even without 10-bit video. So, while this feature would be nice, it may not be a deal-breaker for most users.

Currently, the Ace Pro ranks third on our list of the best action cameras, but its steep price—$449.99 / £429 / AU$729—holds it back from beating GoPro and DJI. If Insta360 can add features like log recording and continue to refine its AI-powered tools beyond just low-light performance, the Ace Pro 2 could easily claim the top spot when it’s released, which could be very soon based on these leaks.