Yi 4k Action Camera Black with Waterproof Case Review

The Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black delivers stunning 4K video at 60fps, making it a top contender for high-quality action footage. Paired with its included waterproof case, it’s built to capture crisp, vibrant footage up to 40 meters underwater—ideal for divers, adventurers, and vloggers alike. With intuitive controls, long battery life, and excellent image stabilization, this compact powerhouse offers premium performance at a competitive price.

Key Takeaways

• 4K video quality: Captures sharp, vibrant footage in high resolution.
• Waterproof case included: Ready for underwater adventures up to 40m.
• Long battery life: Record up to 120 minutes on a single charge.
• Wide-angle lens: Perfect for immersive action shots and landscapes.
• User-friendly interface: Intuitive controls simplify setup and shooting.
• Stable performance: Built-in stabilization reduces shaky footage effectively.

Why the Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black with Waterproof Case Might Be Your Next Adventure Buddy

Let’s be honest—choosing an action camera is kind of like picking a new best friend. You want someone (or something) reliable, fun, and up for anything. Whether you’re diving into the ocean, shredding down a mountain, or just capturing everyday life in stunning detail, you need a camera that can keep up. That’s where the Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black with Waterproof Case comes in. It’s not just another gadget on the shelf—it’s a tool built for people who want high-quality footage without breaking the bank.

I’ve spent weeks testing this little powerhouse—hiking, biking, snorkeling, and even just filming my dog chasing squirrels in the backyard. What I found surprised me. While it’s not perfect, the Yi 4K+ delivers a lot of bang for your buck. And the included waterproof case? It’s not just a bonus—it’s a game-changer. In this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from image quality to battery life, so you can decide if this camera is the right fit for your adventures. No fluff, no hype—just real talk from someone who’s put it through the wringer.

What’s in the Box and First Impressions

Unboxing Experience and Build Quality

When you first open the box, you’ll find the Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black sitting snugly in protective foam, along with the waterproof housing, a mounting bracket, a USB-C charging cable, a quick-start guide, and a few adhesive mounts. The camera itself is compact—about the size of a matchbox—and has a matte black finish that feels sleek and durable. It’s not as flashy as some GoPro models, but it’s got a minimalist, functional look that I actually appreciate.

The buttons are tactile and easy to press, even with gloves on. The front has a small status LED, and the back is dominated by a 2.2-inch touchscreen. It’s not the largest screen out there, but it’s responsive and bright enough to use in sunlight. The waterproof case is a solid piece of polycarbonate. It locks securely with a twist-and-click mechanism, and the lens port is flat and scratch-resistant. One thing I noticed right away: the case adds bulk, but it’s still small enough to fit in a pocket or backpack.

Design and Ergonomics: Small but Mighty

At just 98 grams (without the case), the Yi 4K+ is lightweight. That’s a big deal when you’re mounting it on a helmet or bike handlebar for hours. The camera has a standard 1/4-inch tripod mount on the bottom, which means it’s compatible with most third-party accessories. I tested it with a chest harness, a suction cup mount for my car, and even a selfie stick—everything worked smoothly.

The touchscreen interface is intuitive. Swipe left for settings, right for media, up for quick mode changes (like photo to video), and down for exposure controls. It took me about five minutes to figure out the basics. One small gripe: the screen can be a bit sluggish in cold weather, but that’s common with most action cameras.

Image and Video Quality: How Does It Stack Up?

4K Video: Sharp, Smooth, and Surprisingly Stable

The Yi 4K+ shoots 4K video at 60fps, which is impressive for its price point. I tested it in a variety of conditions—sunny beach days, overcast mountain trails, and even low-light evening walks. In bright light, the footage is crisp and vibrant. Colors are accurate, not oversaturated like some budget cameras. The dynamic range is decent, though it struggles a bit with high-contrast scenes (like a bright sky with dark trees).

One of my favorite features is the built-in electronic image stabilization (EIS). I filmed a mountain bike ride on a bumpy trail, and the footage was surprisingly smooth. It’s not as good as GoPro’s HyperSmooth, but for casual use, it’s more than enough. The stabilization works best in 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps. If you need 4K at 60fps, you’ll have to turn it off, but the trade-off is smoother motion.

For example, I recorded a sunset surf session at 4K 30fps with EIS on. The waves looked sharp, and the horizon stayed level even when I wiped out. In 1080p 60fps, I captured my friend’s downhill skateboard run—the motion was buttery smooth, perfect for slow-motion edits.

Photo Quality and Low-Light Performance

The Yi 4K+ has a 12MP sensor, which is standard for action cameras. Daylight photos are sharp with good detail. I took a few landscape shots during a hike, and the textures in the rocks and trees were well-preserved. But in low light, things get a bit noisy. The camera doesn’t have a dedicated night mode, so indoor or twilight photos can look grainy.

That said, it’s not meant to be a low-light specialist. It’s an action camera, after all. For most users, the photo quality is more than adequate for social media, blogs, or quick snapshots. I did notice that the camera’s auto-exposure can be a bit slow to adjust. For example, when I moved from a shadowy trail into direct sunlight, it took a few seconds to balance the exposure. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.

Audio: Good Enough for Most Situations

The built-in microphone is decent. It picks up clear audio in quiet environments, like a campfire chat or a bike ride with friends. But in windy conditions, it struggles. The mic is on the top of the camera, so if you’re using the waterproof case (which you should for outdoor activities), wind noise is reduced. Still, for vlogging or interviews, I’d recommend an external mic.

Pro tip: If you’re recording in a noisy area (like a busy trail), use the camera’s wind noise reduction setting. It’s in the audio settings menu. It helps, but it also slightly muffles voices. Best for ambient sound, not voiceovers.

Waterproof Case: Is It Worth the Hype?

Depth Rating and Real-World Water Testing

The included waterproof case is rated for 40 meters (about 130 feet), which is more than enough for snorkeling, swimming, and even recreational scuba diving. I tested it in a few different water environments:

• Ocean snorkeling (10 feet): The case stayed dry, and the touchscreen worked through the housing. I captured some great coral reef footage.
• Freshwater kayaking (splashes and waves): No leaks, even when the kayak flipped (oops). The case held up perfectly.
• Hot tub (3 feet, warm water): The case fogged up slightly after 10 minutes, but it cleared up when I opened it. This is common with any waterproof housing in temperature-changing environments.

One thing to note: the case has a flat lens port, which can cause slight distortion at the edges of the frame. It’s not a big issue for action shots, but if you’re filming wide landscapes underwater, keep it in mind. Also, the case adds about 1.5 inches in height, so it won’t fit in some tight mounts.

Durability and Everyday Use

The case is made of polycarbonate, which is tough but not indestructible. I dropped it from waist height onto concrete, and it survived with just a small scratch. The locking mechanism is secure—I never had it accidentally open. The only weak point is the lens port. If it gets scratched, it’ll affect image quality, so keep it clean and avoid sandy environments if possible.

For everyday use, the case is a must. Even if you’re not underwater, it protects the camera from dust, rain, and impacts. I’ve used it in dusty desert hikes and rainy bike rides, and the camera stayed pristine.

Battery Life and Storage: What You Need to Know

Battery Performance and Charging

The Yi 4K+ comes with a 1400mAh battery. Yi claims up to 120 minutes of 1080p 60fps recording. In my testing, I got about 100 minutes in real-world conditions (mixed usage, EIS on, screen brightness at 70%). At 4K 30fps, it lasted around 75 minutes. That’s not terrible, but it’s not class-leading. For comparison, a GoPro Hero 10 can last 90 minutes at 4K 60fps.

The battery is removable, which is a plus. I carry a spare and swap it out when needed. Charging is via USB-C, and it takes about 2 hours to fully charge from 0%. The camera can’t be used while charging, which is a bummer if you’re trying to film a long event.

Tip: To extend battery life, turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use. Also, lower the screen brightness or use the quick settings to dim it automatically.

Storage: MicroSD and File Management

The Yi 4K+ supports microSD cards up to 256GB (UHS-I, Class 10 or higher). I used a 128GB SanDisk Extreme card, and it worked flawlessly. At 4K 30fps, one hour of footage takes up about 48GB. So, a 128GB card gives you roughly 2.5 hours of 4K video—plenty for a day of filming.

Files are saved in MP4 format, which is compatible with most editing software. The camera creates folders by date, making it easy to organize your clips. One thing I like: the camera auto-renames files with the date and time, so you don’t have to remember when you shot what.

Connectivity and App Experience

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the Yi Action App

The Yi 4K+ connects to your phone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The pairing process is simple—turn on the camera’s Wi-Fi, connect to it on your phone, and open the Yi Action App (available for iOS and Android). Once connected, you can use your phone as a remote viewfinder and controller.

The app works well for the most part. It lets you change settings, start/stop recording, and preview footage. I used it to frame shots from a chest mount and to adjust exposure on the fly. But it’s not perfect. The connection can drop if you move more than 30 feet away, and the live preview has a slight lag (about 0.5 seconds). Also, the app occasionally crashes on older phones.

For example, I tried to film a drone-style selfie by placing the camera on a rock and walking away. The app disconnected after 20 feet, so I had to go back to check if it recorded. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of.

Other Connectivity Options

The camera has a micro-HDMI port for direct playback on a TV or monitor. I used it to show my surf videos on a big screen, and the quality was excellent. It also has a USB-C port for data transfer and charging. You can connect it to a computer and access files like a regular storage device—no special drivers needed.

One missing feature: live streaming. The Yi 4K+ doesn’t support live video to YouTube or Facebook. If you need that, you’ll have to use a third-party encoder or a different camera.

Pros, Cons, and Who Should Buy It

The Good Stuff: What I Loved

• 4K 60fps video at a budget-friendly price
• Solid image stabilization for smooth footage
• Waterproof case included—no extra cost
• Removable battery for easy swaps
• Compact and lightweight for all-day wear
• Intuitive touchscreen interface

Where It Falls Short: The Trade-Offs

• Battery life is average, not great
• Low-light performance is mediocre
• No live streaming or advanced audio options
• App connectivity can be spotty
• Case adds bulk and can fog up in heat

Who Is This Camera For?

The Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black with Waterproof Case is ideal for:

• Beginners and casual users who want 4K quality without spending $400+
• Outdoor enthusiasts (hikers, bikers, surfers) who need a rugged, waterproof camera
• Content creators on a budget who don’t need pro-level features
• Travelers who want a compact, all-in-one solution

It’s not the best choice if you need top-tier stabilization, long battery life, or advanced audio. But for most people, it’s a fantastic value.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Yi 4K+?

After weeks of testing, I can confidently say the Yi 4K+ is a solid action camera—especially for the price. It delivers 4K video, decent stabilization, and a waterproof case all in one package. It’s not perfect, but it’s reliable, easy to use, and built for real-world adventures.

If you’re comparing it to a GoPro, the Yi 4K+ won’t match the Hero series in stabilization or low-light performance. But it’s less than half the price, and for many users, that’s a fair trade. The included waterproof case is a huge plus—most competitors make you buy it separately. And the fact that it’s compact, lightweight, and has a user-friendly interface makes it a great choice for first-time action camera users.

Is it the best camera on the market? No. But is it the best value in its class? Absolutely. Whether you’re capturing your next surf session, hiking a remote trail, or just documenting daily life, the Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black with Waterproof Case is a trustworthy companion. Just remember to pack extra batteries, keep the lens clean, and use the case for any outdoor activity.

At the end of the day, an action camera should make you want to get out there and film. The Yi 4K+ does exactly that—without emptying your wallet.

Feature	Yi 4K+ Action Camera	Typical Competitor (e.g., GoPro Hero 10)
Max Video Resolution	4K 60fps	5.3K 60fps
Image Stabilization	Electronic (EIS)	HyperSmooth 4.0
Waterproof Depth	40m (with case)	10m (naked), 60m (with case)
Battery Life (4K 30fps)	75 minutes	90 minutes
Included Waterproof Case	Yes	No (sold separately)
Price (MSRP)	$150–$180	$350–$400

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black stand out from other action cameras?

The Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black delivers high-quality 4K video at 60fps, a 2.2-inch touchscreen, and excellent image stabilization—all at a competitive price. Its included waterproof case allows for underwater adventures up to 40 meters, making it ideal for divers and water sports enthusiasts.

Is the Yi 4K+ Action Camera with waterproof case suitable for extreme sports?

Absolutely. The rugged design and included waterproof case protect the Yi 4K+ Action Camera during high-impact activities like mountain biking, skiing, and snorkeling. With advanced stabilization and durable housing, it captures smooth footage in challenging environments.

How long does the battery last on the Yi 4K Action Camera Black?

The Yi 4K Action Camera Black offers up to 120 minutes of continuous 4K/30fps recording on a single charge. Battery life may vary depending on resolution, frame rate, and use of Wi-Fi or LCD screen.

Can I use the Yi 4K+ without the waterproof case in wet conditions?

While the camera itself is splash-resistant, it’s not fully waterproof without the included case. For rain, splashes, or brief water exposure, it can handle light moisture—but always use the waterproof case for swimming, diving, or heavy rain.

Does the Yi 4K+ Action Camera support external microphones?

Yes, the Yi 4K+ Action Camera features a built-in USB-C port that supports external microphones for enhanced audio quality. This is especially useful for vloggers or users capturing sound in noisy environments.

What accessories come with the Yi 4K+ Action Camera Black package?

The package includes the Yi 4K+ camera, a waterproof case, rechargeable battery, USB-C cable, mounting frame, and basic adhesive mounts. Additional accessories like extra batteries or mounts are available separately.