The Insta360 Mic Swaps Internal Storage for microSD for an $80 Discount

Insta360 has announced the Mic, which is only very slightly different from the Mic Pro it announced earlier this year. Instead of an onboard SSD, the new Mic retains internal recording via removable microSD, which lets the company drop the price by $80.

The Insta360 Mic is only marginally different from the company’s Mic Pro. It retains the same customizable e-ink display, 32-bit internal recording (with a microSD card inserted), instant connection with Insta360 cameras like the Luna Ultra or the Ace Pro 2, AI noise-canceling, timecode sync, and support for up to four transmitters per single receiver.

Even the charging case and the receiver units look identical, but there is one more difference outside of the removable storage: slightly better battery life. The Mic Pro promised 10 hours of battery per transmitter, 11 hours for the receiver, and 30 total hours if you use the charging case. The new Insta360 Mic ups that slightly to 13 hours per transmitter, retains 11 hours for the receiver, and promises up to 34 total hours when used in conjunction with the charging case.

That’s a minor upgrade, but any battery life increase is welcome. As before, the transmitters support a five-minute fast charge that gives them 1.5 hours of use with just five minutes in the charging case. They also get a full charge in one hour. The Insta360 Mic transmitters and receivers can also be used in tandem with the Mic Pro transmitters and receivers, so users can mix Mic and Mic Pro transmitters on the same receiver, “such as two of each, to record a four-person conversation or podcast without replacing the gear they already own,” Insta360 explains.

Additionally, as before, two transmitters can send synchronized audio to up to four receivers simultaneously in support of multi-camera setups.

With the two options from Insta360 so similar, it might be confusing to understand why the company did this at all. That answer likely comes down to price and where Insta360 wants to be more competitive. The Mic Pro costs $330, which is a lot to ask, especially when the DJI Mic 3 and Rode Wireless Pro cost $260 and the Saramonic Ultra costs $269. By retaining features but putting the onus of storage on the user, Insta360 was able to reduce the cost of the Mic to $250, undercutting all of them.

The Insta360 Mic is available starting today for $250 for two transmitters and one receiver (and the charging case). A single transmitter and receiver option is available for $140, and additional transmitters cost $80.

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Image creditsInsta360