Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera Review Top Features and Performance Insights

The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera delivers stunning 360-degree video with seamless stabilization, making it a top contender for immersive action content. Its rugged, waterproof design and intuitive app integration ensure high-quality performance in extreme conditions, perfect for adventurers and content creators alike.

Key Takeaways

• 360-degree capture: Record immersive videos with dual 180-degree lenses for full spherical views.
• Compact design: Lightweight and portable, ideal for on-the-go adventures and easy mounting.
• Waterproof durability: Built to withstand depths up to 30m without a case.
• Smartphone integration: Edit and share footage instantly via the Gear 360 app.
• 4K video quality: Delivers sharp, detailed footage in high-resolution 4K at 30fps.
• Battery limitations: Carry spares for extended shoots; lasts ~80 minutes per charge.

First Impressions: Unboxing the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera

Imagine this: You’re hiking a rugged mountain trail, the wind whipping through your hair, and the sun setting behind a valley of wildflowers. You want to capture every second of this moment—not just a flat, one-sided video, but a full, immersive 360-degree experience. That’s where the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera comes in. I remember the first time I held it in my hands. It felt compact, solid, and surprisingly lightweight for something that promises to capture the world in all directions. The unboxing experience was simple—no flashy packaging, just a clean, minimalist box with the camera, a charging cable, and a basic mount. No frills, but that’s a good thing. It told me Samsung was focusing on the tech, not the hype.

Right out of the box, the design stood out. The camera is small, almost palm-sized, with two fisheye lenses on either side. It’s not the most stylish action cam, but it’s functional. The rubberized body gives it a grippy feel, which is a relief when you’re fumbling with it on a windy day. The first thing I noticed was how intuitive the setup felt. Pairing it with my phone via the Samsung Gear 360 app took less than a minute. But here’s the real question: Does it live up to the promise of capturing life in 360 degrees? After weeks of testing it in various scenarios—from mountain biking to family barbecues—I’ve got some thoughts to share. Let’s dive in.

Design and Build Quality: Compact, Durable, and Thoughtful

Size and Portability

The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera is all about portability. At just 130 grams, it’s one of the lightest 360-degree cameras I’ve used. It fits easily in a jacket pocket or a small backpack. I took it on a weekend camping trip, and it never felt like a burden. The compact design is a win, especially if you’re someone who hates lugging around bulky gear. But don’t let its small size fool you—it’s packed with features.

Build and Durability

The rubberized exterior isn’t just for grip; it’s also shock-resistant. I accidentally dropped it from waist height onto a rocky trail, and it survived with barely a scratch. The lenses are protected by a slightly recessed design, which helps prevent scratches. However, the camera isn’t fully waterproof on its own. You’ll need a separate waterproof case (sold separately) if you plan to take it underwater or in heavy rain. That’s a bit of a letdown, especially since competitors like the GoPro Max offer built-in water resistance.

Button Layout and Controls

The camera has only three physical buttons: power, mode, and shutter. The layout is simple, but the tactile feedback is excellent. The mode button cycles through photo, video, and time-lapse modes, and the shutter button is responsive. The only minor annoyance is that there’s no built-in screen. You’ll need to rely on the app for framing shots or reviewing footage. This can be a hassle if you’re in a remote area with spotty Wi-Fi or no phone signal.

Mounting Options

Samsung includes a basic tripod mount, which is compatible with most third-party action cam accessories. I used it with a chest mount while mountain biking, and it stayed secure even during bumpy trails. However, the mounting point is a single threaded hole, which means you can’t use it with quick-release systems like GoPro’s. It’s a small limitation, but worth noting if you’re used to faster setups.

Video and Photo Performance: Capturing the Full Picture

360-Degree Video Quality

The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera records in 5.7K resolution (5760 x 2880) at 30fps. In ideal lighting—say, a sunny afternoon at the beach—the footage is sharp, with vibrant colors and minimal distortion. The stitching (the process of merging the two lenses’ footage) is impressive. I didn’t notice any visible seams in most of my tests. That said, in low light (like a dimly lit concert or an indoor event), the video quality drops noticeably. The image gets grainy, and the colors look washed out. If you’re shooting in low light, I’d recommend using a tripod and lowering the resolution to 4K for better stability.

One of my favorite features is the ability to reframe shots in post-production. With the Gear 360 app or Samsung’s Action Director software, you can “remix” your 360-degree footage into traditional flat videos. For example, I recorded a 360-degree video of a hiking group, then edited it to focus on a single person’s perspective. It’s a game-changer for storytelling.

Photo Capabilities

The camera takes 30MP stills (6720 x 3360), which is great for high-resolution panoramas. The dynamic range is decent, but not as good as some DSLRs. I noticed that in high-contrast scenes (like a sunset), the camera sometimes struggled to balance the bright sky and dark foreground. But for casual use—like snapping a 360-degree photo of a family gathering—it works perfectly. The app lets you extract flat images from your 360 photos, which is handy if you want to share a specific angle on social media.

Stabilization and Audio

The camera has basic electronic stabilization, which works well for walking or slow-moving shots. But if you’re running or biking, the footage can get shaky. I used it on a mountain bike trail, and while the 360-degree view was immersive, the jitters made it a little hard to watch. For smoother footage, you’ll need a gimbal or a stabilizer mount.

Audio is another weak spot. The built-in mic picks up wind noise easily, and the sound quality is tinny. If you’re recording a concert or a speech, I’d recommend using an external mic or recording audio separately and syncing it in post.

Software and App Experience: The Good, the Bad, and the Glitchy

Gear 360 App Functionality

The Gear 360 app is where the magic happens. It’s available for both Android and iOS, and it’s the primary way to control the camera, review footage, and edit 360-degree content. The interface is clean and intuitive. You can live-preview your shots, adjust settings like resolution and frame rate, and even use your phone as a remote viewfinder.

One standout feature is the “Smart Mode,” which automatically adjusts exposure and white balance based on the scene. I used it during a sunset hike, and it did a great job of balancing the bright sky and dark shadows. The app also lets you tag and organize your clips, which is helpful if you’re shooting a lot of footage.

Editing Tools and Export Options

Editing 360-degree videos can be daunting, but the app makes it surprisingly easy. You can trim clips, add music, and apply basic filters. The “Remix” tool is my favorite—it lets you create flat videos from your 360 footage with just a few taps. For example, I turned a 360-degree video of a kayaking trip into a traditional 1080p clip focusing on the river ahead.

However, the app isn’t perfect. It’s a bit slow when processing high-resolution files, and I experienced a few crashes when exporting long videos. The lack of advanced editing tools (like color grading or keyframing) means you’ll need to use third-party software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro for professional-grade edits.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The camera connects to your phone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The connection is stable, but it can drop if you move too far from the camera (about 10 meters max). Battery life is decent—about 80 minutes of continuous recording at 5.7K. If you’re planning a full-day shoot, I’d recommend carrying spare batteries. The camera charges via USB-C, which is fast and convenient.

Real-World Use Cases: Where the Camera Shines (and Where It Doesn’t)

Adventure Sports

The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera is a great choice for adventure sports, as long as you’re not pushing it to the extremes. I used it while mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking, and the 360-degree perspective added a new layer of immersion. For example, while biking, I could see the trail behind me and the sky above—something a traditional action cam can’t capture. The compact size made it easy to mount on my helmet or chest, and the rubberized body held up well to vibrations and impacts.

However, if you’re into high-speed activities like downhill skiing or motocross, the lack of advanced stabilization might be a dealbreaker. The footage tends to get shaky, and the audio quality suffers due to wind noise. For these scenarios, I’d recommend a GoPro Max or Insta360 One X2, which have better stabilization and wind noise reduction.

Social Media and Content Creation

If you’re a content creator, this camera is a solid option for 360-degree social media posts. The ability to extract flat videos from 360 footage is perfect for Instagram Stories or YouTube Shorts. I used it to create a “day in the life” video, showing my morning coffee ritual from multiple angles. The Gear 360 app made it easy to edit and export the clips in the right format.

That said, if you’re targeting platforms like TikTok or Reels, you might find the 360-degree format a bit niche. Most viewers still prefer traditional flat videos. But if you’re looking to stand out, the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera is a great tool for creative storytelling.

Family and Travel

For capturing family moments or travel experiences, the camera excels. I took it on a trip to the Grand Canyon, and the 360-degree photos and videos let me relive the experience in a whole new way. The app’s auto-stitching feature made it easy to share the footage with my family, who could explore the full 360 view on their phones.

The only downside is that it’s not ideal for fast-moving kids or pets. The 30fps limit means action shots can look a bit choppy. For this use case, a higher-frame-rate camera might be better.

Comparisons and Alternatives: How It Stacks Up

The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera is in a crowded market, with competitors like the GoPro Max, Insta360 One X2, and Ricoh Theta Z1. Here’s how it compares:

Feature	Samsung 360 Gear	GoPro Max	Insta360 One X2
Video Resolution	5.7K @ 30fps	5.6K @ 30fps	5.7K @ 30fps
Photo Resolution	30MP	16.6MP	18MP
Waterproof	No (needs case)	Yes (up to 10m)	Yes (up to 10m)
Stabilization	Basic EIS	HyperSmooth 3.0	FlowState
Battery Life	80 mins	105 mins	80 mins
App Quality	Good (but glitchy)	Excellent	Excellent

The Samsung 360 Gear holds its own in resolution and photo quality, but it falls short in waterproofing, stabilization, and app polish. The GoPro Max is the better all-rounder, while the Insta360 One X2 offers better stabilization and a more robust app. However, if you’re already invested in the Samsung ecosystem (like using a Galaxy phone), the Gear 360 might be the more seamless choice.

Final Verdict: Is the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera Worth It?

After weeks of testing, here’s my take: The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera is a solid option for casual users, travelers, and content creators who want to experiment with 360-degree footage. It’s compact, easy to use, and delivers impressive video and photo quality in ideal lighting. The ability to reframe shots in post is a standout feature, and the integration with the Samsung ecosystem is a big plus for Galaxy phone users.

But it’s not without flaws. The lack of built-in waterproofing, mediocre stabilization, and glitchy app hold it back from being a top-tier choice. If you’re serious about adventure sports or professional content creation, you might want to look at alternatives like the GoPro Max or Insta360 One X2.

Ultimately, the Samsung 360 Gear is best suited for people who want to dip their toes into 360-degree content without breaking the bank. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun, accessible way to capture life from every angle. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera stand out from other action cams?

The Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera distinguishes itself with true 360-degree video capture, dual fisheye lenses, and seamless VR compatibility, making it ideal for immersive content creators. Its compact design and intuitive interface further enhance its appeal for adventure enthusiasts.

Can the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera shoot in 4K resolution?

Yes, the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera records 4K UHD video at 30fps, delivering crisp, high-resolution footage. It also supports 2K and Full HD modes for more flexible shooting options.

How durable is the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera for outdoor use?

The camera is built to withstand rugged conditions with a splash-resistant design and shockproof housing, though it’s not fully waterproof without an additional case. It’s well-suited for hiking, cycling, and other action-packed activities.

Does the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera have image stabilization?

Yes, it features advanced electronic image stabilization (EIS) to reduce shakiness during fast-paced movement. This ensures smoother footage even when mounted on helmets or bikes.

What accessories are compatible with the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera?

The camera supports standard action cam mounts, including tripods, chest harnesses, and handlebars, thanks to its universal 1/4-inch thread. Samsung also offers proprietary accessories like a 360-degree selfie stick and VR viewer for enhanced functionality.

How is the battery life on the Samsung 360 Gear Action Camera?

The removable 1,160mAh battery lasts approximately 130 minutes of continuous 360-degree recording. For extended use, carrying spare batteries or using a power bank is recommended during long shoots.