Hohem iSteady M7 Review: My New Go-To Mobile Filmmaking Tool

Hohem iSteady M7 is a powerful smartphone gimbal with AI tracking, a detachable remote, and 360° stabilization for pro-level shots.

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If you’re looking for a smartphone stabilizer that can handle larger and heavier devices, the Hohem iSteady M7 is an excellent option. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but it offers solid stabilization and a great set of features. I’ve been using it for a while now, and here’s my take on it.

Hohem iSteady M7 Specifications

Feature	Details 📌
📏 Size (Folded)	335.7 x 57 x 159 mm (Compact for storage)
🔄 Size (Unfolded)	327 x 122.3 x 118.3 mm (Ready for use)
⚖ Weight	629g (Gimbal) + 118.5g (Tripod)
🏋️‍♂️ Max Payload	Supports phones up to 500g (Heavier than most gimbals)
📱 Phone Size Compatibility	Width: 58 – 90mm Thickness: 6.9 – 12.5mm
🔋 Battery Life	8 hours (With AI tracking) / 12 hours (Standard use)
⚡ Charging	USB-C port (Supports charging while in use)
📡 Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.1 (For app control and remote use)
🎥 AI Tracking	Built-in 2MP AI camera (Tracks subjects in any app)
💡 Fill Light	Adjustable LED light (Warm 2700K – Cool 6500K)
🎮 Remote Control	1.4-inch detachable touchscreen (10m range)
📏 Extension Rod	20cm built-in extension rod (For creative angles)
💰 Price (India)	₹27,990 (Amazon India, discounted from ₹38,000)
💵 Price (Global)	$269 (Discounted from $299)

Unboxing and First Impressions

When I first got my hands on the Hohem iSteady M7, I was impressed by the packaging. Inside the hard-shell carry case, you get the gimbal, a detachable mini tripod, a USB-C charging cable, and an AI tracking module with a built-in fill light. The gimbal itself folds neatly, with three locks keeping everything secure during transport.

Holding the stabilizer, it felt sturdy and well-built. Unlike some cheaper options I’ve tried before, this one didn’t feel flimsy. The grip is solid and the controls are well-placed making it easy to operate with one hand.

Setup and Balancing

Setting up the iSteady M7 took a few minutes. The phone mounts into a strong spring-loaded grip, which can rotate between landscape and portrait modes. Since I use a heavy smartphone with a thick case, I appreciated the gimbal’s ability to handle devices up to 500g and 12.5mm in thickness. Many other stabilizers struggle with that kind of weight, but this one handled it with ease.

One thing to note is that balancing the phone manually is necessary before turning the gimbal on. It’s not difficult, but it does take a little getting used to.

Performance and Features

Once balanced, the iSteady M7 worked flawlessly. The stabilization is excellent, keeping my shots smooth even when I was walking or moving quickly. It has multiple shooting modes, including Pan Follow, Pan Tilt Follow, and a full custom mode where I could tweak movement speeds to my liking.

The built-in 20cm extension rod was a great addition. It helped me get shots from angles that would otherwise be impossible especially for vlogs or creative cinematic shots.

One of my favorite features is the detachable 1.4-inch touchscreen module. It’s not just for adjusting settings—it also doubles as a remote control. I could set the gimbal on a tripod and control movements from up to 10m away. That was incredibly useful for group shots or capturing motion without needing a second person.

AI Tracking and App Experience

The Hohem iSteady M7 includes an AI tracking module that can follow subjects no matter which camera app you’re using. Unlike many other stabilizers that force you to use their proprietary app, this one worked with any app, including the native camera, TikTok and Blackmagic Cam.

The AI tracking module also has a fill light with adjustable brightness and color. This was useful while shooting in low light or inside. The Hohem Joy app did seem a little sloppy, though. The UI wasn’t the greatest, and translations were occasionally problematic. I was lucky that I didn’t need it too often.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is solid. With AI tracking on, I got about 8 hours of use and with tracking off, it lasted around 12 hours. That’s enough for a full day of shooting. Plus, gimbal has a USB-C port on the arm, allowing me to charge my phone while recording.

Only downside is that there’s no quick-release phone mount. If you’re someone who frequently removes and reattaches your phone, this could be a minor annoyance.

Price and Value

At around $299 (or ₹27,990 in India), the iSteady M7 is one of the pricier smartphone stabilizers. However, considering its weight capacity, AI tracking, remote control and build quality, I think it’s worth it—especially if you use a heavy or large smartphone. If you’re on a budget, though, there are cheaper options available with fewer features.

Hohem iSteady M7: Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
📷 Works with any camera app	📱 Touchscreen can be tricky
🎮 Detachable remote control	📲 Hohem Joy app needs improvement
🏋️‍♂️ Supports heavy smartphones (up to 500g)	🔄 No quick-release phone mount
📏 20cm built-in extension rod	🔋 Battery life could be better (8 hours with AI tracking)
🔄 360° rotation & custom controls	🎒 Not very portable
🔋 Can charge your phone while filming	💰 Expensive (₹27,990 / $269)

Conclusion

I’m really happy with Hohem iSteady M7. It’s a powerful and versatile gimbal that handles heavier phones with ease. The remote control touchscreen, AI tracking, and extension rod make it stand out from the competition. While the app could be better and the lack of a quick-release mount is a minor inconvenience, these are small trade-offs for what you get.

Would I recommend it? If you need a stabilizer for a big or heavy phone and want app-independent AI tracking, this is one of the best options out there. If you’re looking for something ultra-compact or budget-friendly, you might want to consider other models. But for serious smartphone videographers, the iSteady M7 is a solid investment.