Meet DJI Osmo Mobile 8P - 10 beginner-friendly features we love
Gimbals are great for making smartphone videos look smoother and cinematic, but they can also feel intimidating, especially if you are using one for the first time.
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| Meet DJI Osmo Mobile 8P |
However, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P seems to want to change that perspective. During our time with it, we found several features that made it feel more approachable for beginners, solo creators, vloggers, and casual users who simply want better-looking videos taken from their smartphones.
Here are 10 things we love about the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P
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| For beginners, simply scan the QR code on the gimbal to view tutorials before getting started |
1. Tutorials are available from the get-go - One of the first things we appreciated was how easy it was to access tutorials.
As soon as we opened the box, tutorials were readily available by scanning the QR code found on the device. This is a small but very useful touch, especially for beginners.
Gimbals can be confusing at first. You need to understand how to mount your phone, how the controls work, what the different modes do, and how to move naturally while filming. Having quick access to tutorials removes some of that initial guesswork.
Instead of spending time searching online or randomly pressing buttons, the Osmo Mobile 8P gives users a clear starting point, making the overall experience feel less intimidating.
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| The FrameTap Remote: Easy-to-understand interface |
2. The removable Osmo FrameTap Remote - The biggest highlight for us is the Osmo FrameTap Remote.
The interface is easy to understand and gives access to full gimbal control without making the experience feel overwhelming. With a few reps, you can instinctively move your way around with it.
But the real magic here is that the FrameTap Remote is actually removable.
This makes the Osmo Mobile 8P much more convenient for solo shooting. Instead of constantly walking back to the phone or touching the gimbal to adjust settings, we could detach the remote and control the device from a distance.
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| Detachable FrameTap Remote for convenient control even at a distance |
It becomes even more useful when utilized with screen-casting. With it, we could view and frame our shot even when we're away from the device. This is very helpful because one of the biggest challenges of solo shooting is making sure the framing looks right.
While the FrameTap Remote sounds like a simple feature, it becomes a game-changer in actual use. The Osmo Mobile 8P feels more like having your very own cameraman than a complicated accessory.
It's easily the feature we loved most.
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| The DJI Mimo app |
3. The DJI Mimo Compatibility - The primary app for taking videos and photos with the Osmo Mobile 8P is the DJI Mimo app.
In our use, the app adds a lot to the overall experience. Aside from being the main shooting app, it also includes tutorials and featured videos from other users to give you inspiration.
This is useful because beginners may not always know what shots to try or how to maximize a gimbal. Having tutorials and sample videos inside the app gives users both guidance and inspiration.
The DJI Mimo app helps make the Osmo Mobile 8P feel more beginner-friendly by turning the app into both a control center and a learning space.
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| ActiveTrack 8.0's Gesture Control mode |
4. ActiveTrack 8.0, Gesture Control, and Smart Capture simplify filming - Another feature we appreciated is ActiveTrack 8.0 in the DJI Mimo app.
This allows the gimbal to track a subject automatically. Instead of manually adjusting the gimbal all the time, the Osmo Mobile 8P can help follow the selected subject and keep it in frame.
ActiveTrack offers Gesture Control and Smart Capture
With this, it helps reduce the pressure of controlling every movement yourself, especially when filming people who are walking, moving, or talking in front of the camera.
The ActiveTrack supports two options: Gesture Control and Smart Capture. Gesture control allows users to enable the tracker using specific gestures– an open palm to start and stop tracking, the "Double L" gesture to reframe yourself, and the peace sign to start and stop recording.
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| ActiveTrack 8.0's Smart Capture mode |
Meanwhile, Smart Capture can recognize individuals when filming a group of people, which is helpful when recording group content or moments where multiple people are moving around.
These features make the gimbal feel smarter and more forgiving. You do not need perfect timing or precise hand movements all the time because the system can assist with tracking and framing.
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| For iPhone users: the Osmo Mobile 8P features NFC connectivity for quicker access |
5. The convenience of Apple DockKit support for iPhones - The Osmo Mobile 8P has another convenient feature exclusive to iPhone users: built-in NFC connectivity.
We used an iPhone to test the gimbal, and with a single tap, we were able to pair our device and launch the native Apple DockKit tracking. This allows us to shoot directly from the iPhone's native camera app instead of relying on the DJI Mimo app.
We discovered one limitation, though: Apple DockKit tracking only works with human subjects. However, for vlogging, livestreaming, talking-head videos, or filming yourself, we think this is still a very helpful option.
6. The improved Multifunctional Tracking Module placement - Another practical upgrade is the Version 2 Multifunctional Tracking Module.
Compared to the previous model, we noticed that the updated module now mounts directly to the gimbal arm instead of the clamp. This change matters because it allows users to use the Quick-Release MagSafe Mount at the same time.
We found this extremely helpful because we sometimes prefer doing handheld shots in between gimbal shots. With the Quick-Release MagSafe Mount, switching between shooting styles feels more convenient.
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| The improved tracking module is perfectly designed for the quick-release MagSafe Mount |
This flexibility is important for creators who do not want to be locked into one setup. Sometimes, a smooth gimbal shot is what you need. Other times, it is faster to remove the phone and capture a quick handheld clip.
Because of the improved module placement, the Osmo Mobile 8P feels more practical for real-world shooting where you may need to switch styles quickly.
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| Osmo Mobile 8P features a wider base for better stability |
7. The wider tripod base for more stable solo shooting - The Osmo Mobile 8P also features a wider tripod base compared to the previous model.
This may sound like a minor design improvement, but it becomes important when you start using the gimbal for solo shooting.
Since the FrameTap Remote and screen-casting encourage users to step away from the device, the gimbal needs to feel stable when placed on a flat surface. The wider tripod base helps give extra confidence when setting it down for vlogs, group shots, tracking shots, or creative movements.
This is especially helpful when there is no one else behind the camera. If we are going to control the gimbal remotely, we want to feel comfortable leaving it standing on its own.
And with that added stability, it makes the remote shooting experience feel more secure.
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| The fill light is a lifesaver for creators with minimal lighting |
8. Vlogging essentials: Fill light and extension pole - The Osmo Mobile 8P also has features that make it more useful for vlogging.
Useful fill light
First, we really liked the fill light. It is helpful for indoor clips, low-light scenes, and quick talking-head videos where available lighting may not be enough.
What makes it better is that the brightness and color temperature can be adjusted through the FrameTap Remote. This means we could tweak the light without constantly touching the phone or gimbal.
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| You can change light intensity and temperature at a distance with the FrameTap remote |
We also appreciated the integrated extension pole. It gives more flexibility for vlogging angles, wider-looking selfie shots, and more creative framing, allowing users to experiment with different perspectives and angles.
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| Unlock multiple angles with the integrated extension pole |
Overall, these two features help make the Osmo Mobile 8P feel like a more complete vlogging tool.
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| Osmo Mobile 8P can charge your phone while filming when you have insufficient battery to finish your shots |
9. The long battery life and powerbank function - Battery life is important for a device like this, especially if you plan to use it for travel, events, outdoor shoots, or multiple clips in one day.
Up to 10 hours of battery
The Osmo Mobile 8P is rated for up to 10 hours of battery life, which should be enough for many casual shooting sessions. Actual battery life may still vary depending on how you use the gimbal, especially if you frequently use tracking, the fill light, and other connected features. Based on our experience, we were able to cover an entire day's worth of clips on a single charge, which proves to be helpful.
What we really liked is that the Osmo Mobile 8P can also act as a power bank. Simply attach the phone charging cable, which is included in the box, to the Multifunctional Tracking Module to start using the gimbal as a power bank.
This is practical because filming can drain a phone quickly. If your phone battery gets low and you still need to record more clips, the gimbal can serve as a backup power source.
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| You can fully maximize the Osmo Mobile 8P with the Creative Capture modes |
10. Creative Capture modes make shots look more dynamic - The Osmo Mobile 8P also comes with Creative Capture options such as SpinShot, Surround Shot, and A/B Path waypoints.
These features are helpful when you want to make your clips look more polished without manually figuring out every camera movement.
SpinShot can help create rotating camera effects, Surround Shot can add movement around a subject, and A/B Path waypoints can help create planned movement between two points.
For beginners, these modes are useful because they make creative shots feel more guided. You can set the gimbal down, choose a mode, and capture more interesting establishing shots or transitions with less guesswork.
These are not necessarily everyday features for everyone, but they are nice to have when you want to add variety to your videos.
A few things to improve
A weak point we noticed is that it may take a while to adjust for users who prefer physical controls, since more controls are now handled through the touchscreen of the FrameTap Remote.
An example scenario is when the auto-tracking fixates on other people instead of your actual subject. Your instinct would tell you to use the gimbal’s joystick to move to the subject, or angle the actual gimbal to favor the subject. A simple tap to the screen to focus on the subject is actually the solution.
Another weak point is for users with heavier Android phones or large camera modules. They may need to be more mindful of balance, especially during longer shoots.
Tips for beginners
While the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P feels beginner-friendly, it is still worth spending some time learning how to use it properly. Here are a few tips that helped us get more comfortable with it.
- Start with the tutorials before exploring the modes - Before trying all the shooting features, we recommend scanning the QR code on the device and going through the tutorials first. This helps explain the basic setup, controls, and modes without needing to guess your way through the experience.
- Use FrameTap with screen-casting for solo shooting - For vlogs, talking-head videos, product clips, group shots, and livestream-style setups, the FrameTap Remote works best when paired with screen-casting. This lets you check your framing and control the gimbal from a distance, which is especially helpful when filming alone.
- Practice tracking and creative modes before important shoots - ActiveTrack 8.0, Smart Capture, and Creative Capture modes like SpinShot, Surround Shot, and A/B Path waypoints are useful, but they are better after a bit of practice. Try them first in casual settings so you understand how the gimbal moves and reacts before using them for important shoots.
Verdict
The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P feels like a beginner-friendly smartphone gimbal made for both aspiring and established creators.
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| DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: a reliable smartphone gimbal for both aspiring and established creators |
Its biggest highlight is the Osmo FrameTap Remote, especially when paired with screen-casting.
Being able to control the gimbal and to check framing from a distance makes solo shooting much easier and more convenient. Add in the tracking features, Creative Capture modes, vlogging essentials, and useful physical components—you get a handy content creation companion.
It would still take some practice to maximize everything, but for beginners, the learning curve feels friendly enough. Therefore, we recommend the Osmo Mobile 8P if you want to create smoother vlogs, reels, livestreams, travel clips, or casual videos using your smartphone.
In the Philippines, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P starts at PHP 7,499.
- DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Standard - PHP 7,499
- DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Advanced Tracking Combo - PHP 9,199
- DJI Osmo Mobile 8P Creator Combo - PHP 11,099
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