Xiaomi YI 4K Plus Review | 96 Data compared

The YI 4K+ action camera stands out for its ability to record 4K video at 60fps and features a responsive 2.2-inch touch LCD, USB-C support, and a high-quality, wide-angle lens. It offers versatile shooting modes and solid battery life, providing roughly 73 minutes of 4K/60fps recording. Conversely, the camera lacks native waterproofing, requiring an external case to submerge, and it does not support cinematic 24p recording. Additionally, it lacks image stabilization at top resolutions and can become hot during extended use.

summary of the review: The YI 4K+ is an impressive action camera rated 4.0/Excellent by PCMag, highlighted by its standout ability to record high-resolution 4K video at 60fps. It features a compact and lightweight design (3.4 ounces), an ultra-wide fixed-focus lens, a highly viewable 2.2-inch rear touchscreen, and a standard tripod socket that allows easy mounting without proprietary adapters. Operating the device is simple via its single physical button or the full-featured YI Action companion app, which handles remote adjustments and wireless file transfers. Its video quality is exceptionally strong, backed by features like slow-motion options, a flat color profile for professional grading, time-lapse capture, and solid built-in audio alongside external microphone support via USB-C. However, several shortfalls prevent the camera from overtaking the GoPro Hero5 Black as the top choice. On the downside, the YI 4K+ lacks video stabilization when shooting at 4K, and its digital stabilization at 2.7K introduces an unnatural shimmering artifact. It is not inherently waterproof or rugged, meaning users must use the included plastic case for underwater activities up to 132 feet. Additionally, the camera...

The Yi 4K+ action camera stands out as an innovative, pocketable device that initially disrupted the market by delivering 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (4K60). Built with a matte-black plastic casing featuring a carbon fiber look, the camera resolves previous brittle-shell quality control issues but introduces a minor flaw with a loose USB Type-C port cover that frequently flaps open. The camera includes a highly durable 2.2-inch touchscreen, dual microphones for improved audio placement, and built-in Wi-Fi for mobile app controls, though users must manually disable mobile data on Android phones to secure a connection. It supports Flat and Yi Colour profiles for video, alongside 12 MP photo shooting in JPEG or slow-to-process RAW (DNG) formats. A major advantage of the Yi 4K+ is its affordability while offering high-end 4K60 video recording. However, its primary downside is the reliance on Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) instead of Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), meaning the image gets cropped to smooth footage and stabilisation is completely unavailable when shooting at the maximum 4K60 setting. Additionally, the camera is not natively waterproof and...

The Yi 4K+ Action Camera stands out as an exceptional value alternative to top-tier competitors like the GoPro Hero6 Black, delivering sharp 4K video recording at 60fps and high-quality 12MP photos in both JPEG and raw (.DNG) formats. Equipped with a powerful Ambarella H2 processor and a Sony IMX377 sensor, the camera features an incredibly fast, highly responsive, and user-friendly 2.19-inch touchscreen interface. It is exceptionally lightweight at 93 grams, boasts seamless smartphone app connectivity via dual-band Wi-Fi, and includes a standard tripod thread alongside basic voice control functions. However, the camera cuts several corners to achieve its budget-friendly price point, most notably lacking native waterproofing, which requires users to purchase a separate external housing for underwater use. Additionally, it completely lacks built-in GPS, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope, meaning videos cannot be tagged with geographic or speed telemetry data. Other prominent drawbacks include a very short battery life that maxes out at around one hour when shooting in 4K/60fps, a 10-second processing delay between raw photo captures, no included mounts in the box, and the limitation that its electronic...

The YI Technology 4K+ Action Cam is reviewed as a highly capable, budget-friendly alternative to the GoPro Hero 6, making it an excellent travel companion for solo creators. The reviewer praises its lightweight, pocket-sized design and fast-reacting touch screen, which ensure simple and convenient handling on the go. On the performance side, the camera delivers great image and video quality, boasting 4K shooting capabilities, a classic wide-angle view, a specialized time-lapse setting for sunsets, and RAW photo support for seamless editing in Lightroom. Additionally, it comes packed with versatile equipment, such as a waterproof diving case and mounts for helmets, providing great value right out of the box. However, the reviewer notes a major technical drawback regarding large file sizes: shooting in maximum 4K quality produces massive files that lower-end laptops, like a MacBook Air, struggle to process without conversion. To resolve this, the author recommends dropping down to the "1080 Ultra" resolution setting for a better balance of high quality and manageable file sizes. Another consideration is that users will need to buy a separate gimbal or selfie stick...

The Yi 4K+ is a highly capable action camera designed as a budget-friendly competitor to the GoPro line, offering industry-leading 4K recording capabilities at 60 fps powered by a robust quad-core ARM processor. It stands out visually with an elegant, minimal design featuring a sleek carbon-fiber-like weave pattern and a responsive, high-resolution 2.2-inch Retina touch screen that makes navigating the intuitive menu system effortless. The device also includes convenient modern hardware like a USB Type-C port, a built-in tripod mount, and integration with an iOS/Android smartphone app for remote control. Additionally, its voice control functionality provides a dependable hands-free experience, working up to 90% of the time in quiet environments to trigger video recording, slow-motion capture, and time-lapse photography. However, the lower price tag comes with specific trade-offs regarding durability, software, and audio performance. In terms of pros, the camera excels by delivering smooth 4K/60-fps video, efficient electronic image stabilization (EIS) up to 4K/30 fps, and excellent color accuracy for daytime photography. On the downside, the cons include the fact that the camera is not natively waterproof and does not...

The YI 4K+ action camera is a compact, lightweight (96g) device that serves as a highly capable, budget-friendly alternative to the GoPro Hero 6 and 7. Designed for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts, it features a standard 1/4-inch tripod thread and a USB-C port, while maintaining full compatibility with widely available GoPro accessories. Key advantages of the camera include its impressive 4K video recording at 60 FPS, built-in Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) at 4K/30 FPS, and convenient hands-free voice activation. Additionally, it features a seamless smartphone companion app that connects via Wi-Fi to provide live framing and easy social media photo transfers. However, the reviewer notes several downsides, starting with the fact that the camera is not natively waterproof and requires an external protective housing, unlike its GoPro rivals. To access all of its high-resolution shooting functions without clips buffering and stopping, users must purchase a premium, high-speed UHS Class 3 (U3) micro SD card. The electronic image stabilization is also limited to 30 FPS when shooting in 4K, meaning you lose stabilization at the maximum 60 FPS setting. Finally, the...

The Trusted Reviews evaluation of the Yi 4K+ Action Camera highlights its groundbreaking capability as the first to offer 4K video at 60fps. The camera is praised for producing exceptionally smooth, sharp video with a higher bitrate, alongside a responsive touchscreen, vibrant 12MP images, and effective electronic image stabilisation (EIS). Key design advantages include a compact, high-quality build that is compatible with existing Yi 4K mounts. Conversely, the review notes significant limitations, most notably the lack of built-in waterproofing, which necessitates purchasing an external housing that muffles audio. Additionally, battery life is reduced to approximately 60 minutes when shooting in high-performance 4K 60fps mode.