TECH

Insta360 Profit Falls as R&D Surge Meets Rising DJI Competition

Published: Apr. 29, 2026 11:13 p.m. GMT+8

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An Insta360 retail store in Shanghai. Photo: VCG

Shenzhen Arashi Vision Co. Ltd., better known as Insta360, reported a 6.6% decline in net profit for 2025 despite a 74.8% surge in revenue, as heavy research spending weighed on the camera maker’s bottom line amid an escalating rivalry with drone giant SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd.

The profit squeeze intensified in the first quarter of 2026, when net profit plunged 52% to 84.6 million yuan ($12.4 million) even as revenue jumped 83.1% to 2.5 billion yuan, according to the company’s first financial report since its June 2025 initial public offering on Shanghai’s STAR Market.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

Insta360's 2025 net profit declined 6.6% despite 74.8% revenue surge; Q1 2026 profit fell 52% to 84.6M yuan with 83.1% revenue jump to 2.5B yuan.
R&D rose 96.95% to 1.5B yuan in 2025 for drones, chips; margins hit by chip prices, stores expanding to 300.
DJI rivalry escalated; Insta360 launched drone, DJI took 37-59% camera market share, eroding Insta360's dominance.

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Who’s Who

Shenzhen Arashi Vision Co. Ltd.: Shenzhen Arashi Vision Co. Ltd. (Insta360) reported a 6.6% net profit decline in 2025 despite 74.8% revenue surge, due to heavy R&D (up 97% to 1.5B yuan). Q1 2026 profit fell 52% to 84.6M yuan, revenue up 83% to 2.5B yuan. Facing DJI rivalry, it's expanding drones and global stores post-2025 IPO.

SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd.: SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. (DJI), a drone giant, faces escalating rivalry with Insta360. It released Osmo 360 and Osmo Nano cameras in late 2025, capturing 37% and 59% market shares, eroding Insta360's dominance. DJI also launched a lower-priced Pocket 4 gimbal camera and exerts pricing pressure on Insta360's nascent drone business. Insta360 alleged DJI pressured suppliers to cut ties.

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