As someone who records vlogging content using smartphones, there is one glaring problem that is difficult to overcome: the selfie camera is the easiest option, because you can properly frame your photo using the screen, but it is usually the worst camera on your phone, while the best camera is on the back.
Quality matters to me, so most of the time I turn the phone over and guess my framing. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – but so far the solutions I’ve tried are far from ideal.
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It connects to your phone wirelessly, which is a nice idea, but that wireless connection introduces latency, and it gets worse the longer you record. It also lacks touchscreen controls, the screen isn’t particularly bright, and the battery life isn’t very impressive either. It’s still useful, but there’s still a lot to do.
Luckily, Insta360 has just entered the picture with its own solution, Snap Selfie Screen, and it looks like it could solve all of these problems. I tested it last week to see how it compares.
Check out the Insta360 Snap Selfie screen
The Insta360 Snap Selfie Display serves the same purpose as other models I’ve tried, but it does some things differently. First of all, it’s a wired solution, powered by the phone, with no internal battery. As a result, it can be much thinner and lighter, making it easier to take with you.
Price
The Insta360 Snap Selfie Screen comes in two versions; the standard version costs $79.99 / £72.99 / AU$139.99 or the version with built-in light costs $89.99 / £82.99 / AU$154.99 at Insta360 or other major retailers – I’ve included live links to the best deals below.
Insta360 products have always impressed me with their thoughtful design touches, and the Snap Selfie screen is designed with the same attention to detail. It comes with a built-in screen cover to prevent scratches during transport, and it flips over to cover your phone’s screen and prevent accidental contact when Snap is in use.
The cable is permanently attached, but it has a built-in magnet that snaps onto the display cover and prevents it from falling into your bag. This isn’t something strictly necessary, but it allows for a more refined experience. Insta360 is good for this.
As for how it works, it couldn’t be simpler. You connect the USB-C cable to your phone, a pop-up appears asking if you want to cast your screen, you choose “Cast” and off you go.
The Snap Selfie display contains MagSafe-compatible magnets, and if you have an iPhone or Android with a compatible case, simply place it on the back of your device. Otherwise, Insta360 includes an adhesive adapter ring in the box.
The Snap Selfie Screen has a touchscreen and if you are using Android it will work instantly. On iPhone, you need to go to Accessibility settings and enable “Zoom” to make it work. This seems like a bit of a tricky workaround, but hey, it works.
What does it feel like to use
The best thing about the Insta360 Snap Selfie Screen is that it is convenient. You can set up your recording in seconds and control everything from the monitor, rather than having to return to the main screen every time you need to change a setting.
On the other hand, with a wireless monitor, you need to set up screen casting, which can be tedious and varies from brand to brand. You’ll also struggle with latency, and with an iPhone the latency is so bad at 4K that it’s virtually unusable.
There are no such issues with Insta360’s latest offering, but there is something you should be aware of. Not all phones support display output via USB-C, so you’ll need to carefully check if it will work with your phone before ordering.
I’m not just talking about budget phones. You’d be surprised how many premium handsets don’t have this feature. Vivo’s X300 FE, despite being a completely new version of the flagship series, is not compatible, for example.
The flap covering the screen is a great addition that aids usability. There’s a special area that blocks touch inputs, and as long as you practice keeping your fingers there, it makes one-handed vlogging much more comfortable.
However, I can’t help but wish that this flap was removable. It’s permanently attached, and while it holds closed magnetically when the screen isn’t in use, it can tilt awkwardly if you don’t hold it the way it’s intended. This also makes using phone clamps a bit tricky. Nothing scissors can’t fix, I suppose.
The Insta360 Snap Selfie Display is by far the brightest selfie monitor I’ve tried, and it makes a huge difference when shooting outdoors. It’s also the only one I’ve seen with the option of a built-in fill light.
If you choose the more expensive of the two models (which is the version I’m testing), you’ll get a diffused LED border that surrounds the screen, as well as two buttons to control the color temperature and brightness level.
I’m not the biggest fan of camera lighting, so I haven’t turned it on very often, but it will almost certainly be more flattering than the LED flash built into your phone. Plus, if you need to vlog in a very dark place, this could save the day.
Should you buy one?
While I haven’t been shy about talking about the flaws of selfie screens like this, the truth is that I use them all the time. The ability to use the larger sensors on the back of your phone makes a huge difference in the quality of your videos. Until more manufacturers start putting screens on the back of phones (or drastically improve the quality of selfie cameras), accessories like these are a necessity for any mobile creator.
The Insta360 Snap Selfie screen, while not perfect, is by far the best implementation I’ve come across. It runs through my previous favorite from SmallRig, and it will stay in my bag for the foreseeable future.
It’s more practical, brighter, easier to use and it’s the most thoughtful design. Plus, it’s not much more expensive than any of its competitors. If you’re looking for a selfie display, the Insta360 Snap is now the obvious choice.
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