Antigravity A1 Review: The World’s First Panoramic Drone Takes Flight
Insta360 and third-party partner Antigravity have officially released their first drone—the Antigravity A1, billed as the world’s first panoramic drone. Let’s take a closer look at this innovative device and see how it performs.
A Beginner-Friendly Drone Packed With Fun Features
I initially assumed Insta360’s first drone would be a mid-range or semi-professional model. Instead, the A1 turned out to be a compact, lightweight, and highly approachable consumer drone—perfect for beginners.
Design-wise, it resembles most mainstream drones, with a straightforward look rather than flashy aesthetics. But the lens module sets it apart. The A1 carries two front-facing obstacle avoidance cameras plus two panoramic fisheye lenses (one on top, one on the bottom). At first, the design seemed awkward, but after testing, I realized it’s likely the most practical solution for panoramic capture today.
Smart Design Details
Underneath, the A1 includes:
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Two lower vision sensors
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Two TOF (time-of-flight) modules
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A built-in fill light
Together, these provide reliable visual obstacle avoidance. Since the drone weighs only 249g, radar-based systems would have reduced available space for the lens, battery, cooling, and motors—so this approach makes sense.
One clever touch is the retractable mini landing gear. It deploys during landing and retracts mid-flight, protecting the bottom sensors from scratches. A small detail, but one I really appreciate.
Immersive Goggles & Motion Control
Unlike typical consumer drones, the A1 comes bundled with:
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A pair of flight goggles with a Micro OLED display (which can double as a VR headset)
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An external battery pack for the headset
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A motion-sensing remote control
The motion-sensing remote is especially intriguing. Instead of relying on a bulky screen, it feels more like an airplane joystick, designed for one-handed use.
At first, the controls can feel unfamiliar—how to bank left, descend, or change perspective takes some getting used to. That’s because the controller doesn’t just use a joystick: it also has a built-in gyroscope that translates your hand gestures into flight movements. Combined, this system creates a truly immersive, airplane-like flying experience.
Flight Goggles: Immersive & Social
The included flight goggles are one of the A1’s standout features. The wearer sees a first-person drone view through the built-in Micro OLED screen, while an external display area lets bystanders watch along in real time.
A Unique Take on Drone Design
Overall, while the Antigravity A1 is Insta360’s first drone, it doesn’t feel like a copy of existing models. From its controls and flight experience to its panoramic shooting style, the A1 delivers something genuinely different from mainstream drones—and that’s what makes it exciting.
The World’s First Flying Panoramic Camera
The Antigravity A1, developed in partnership with Insta360, is being called the world’s first panoramic drone. According to the official description, it uses the same CMOS sensor as the Insta360 X5 panoramic camera. However, due to its drone form factor and shooting style, image quality sits somewhere between the X4 and X5.
8K Video & Post-Production Flexibility
The A1 supports video capture up to 8K resolution, which gives creators plenty of room for reframing and adjustments in post. Unlike mainstream drones that require you to compose before shooting, panoramic drones work the opposite way—capture first, compose later.
If you’ve ever used a 360° camera, the editing workflow will feel familiar. You simply pick your angle during editing, allowing much more flexibility and saving valuable pre-production time.
In bright conditions, the A1 produces sharp, vibrant images with excellent clarity. Its ultra-wide field of view makes capturing dramatic shots easy. Vertical video, often a pain point with drones, is no longer a limitation—you can set the aspect ratio in post without losing image quality.
We also recommend shooting in DNG format instead of JPEG for more editing headroom and accurate color control.
Performance & Trade-Offs
While the A1’s image quality can’t quite match flagship drones (given its smaller size and weight), it’s more than capable for beginners and casual aerial creators. Its greatest strength is flexibility: panoramic recording ensures you won’t miss your shot—even if you lose track of the subject mid-flight, you can reframe it later.
Obstacle Avoidance & Flight Control
Obstacle avoidance is critical for beginner drones, and the A1’s algorithm works differently from mainstream models. It uses two front-mounted sensors while the included goggles allow you to monitor the sides.
When an obstacle is detected:
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A yellow warning appears first.
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If closer, it turns red, triggers an alarm, and slows the drone.
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If you continue pushing the joystick, the drone will hold position to prevent collisions.
This gave us the confidence to fly through bridges, hills, and forests. The system can be a bit conservative, occasionally showing alerts where no obstacles exist, but it’s far safer for new pilots.
Flight Speed & Battery Life
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Max speed: ~16 m/s — good for tracking people, bikes, or scooters, but not fast enough to follow cars or motorcycles.
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Battery options:
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Standard: ~20 minutes (minus 2–3 minutes for return flight)
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Extended: ~30 minutes
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For a lightweight 249g drone, this endurance is solid. Combined with panoramic shooting, one or two flights are usually enough to capture plenty of footage.
Thoughtful Design Details
The A1 includes several clever touches:
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Foldable mini landing pad inside the case, with bright blue/orange sides for easy visibility.
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Goggle battery pack with a built-in neck strap, solving storage issues and even doubling as a glasses holder for nearsighted users.
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Weight detection system: prevents unsafe attachments by grounding the drone if extra weight is detected.
Summary: Panoramic Drones Have Huge Potential
Panoramic drones may be new to the market, but their long-term potential is undeniable. The Antigravity A1 shows just how much this category can grow.
Pros
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A brand-new flight experience that feels like a true game-changer.
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Post-production angle adjustment simplifies shooting and makes the workflow beginner-friendly.
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Somatosensory remote controls make flying more intuitive and immersive.
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Thoughtful design details that solve small but important user pain points.
Cons
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The remote is tailored for right-handed users, making it less comfortable for left-handed pilots.
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The software ecosystem (app and editing tools) is still in development, and the current experience feels average.
Final Thoughts
When we first heard that Insta360 was developing a drone, skepticism was natural. The market is dominated by one major player, and even a technically strong product would struggle against brand loyalty and first-product bias.
But instead of going head-to-head, Insta360 chose a different path: the panoramic drone. With the Antigravity A1, that gamble has paid off. Its image quality, obstacle avoidance, and unique shooting style make it stand out in a crowded market.
This innovation is what users really want—not just endless spec bumps, but new ways to create.
The A1 embodies the philosophy: “master the basics first, then build toward pro-level.” It’s a drone well-suited for beginners, offering a fun and confidence-boosting entry into aerial photography.
Yes, the A1 has its early quirks—some algorithm tweaks and software refinements are still needed. But there’s time to polish, and the foundation is strong.
