We’ve all had that moment—you’re capturing something amazing with your phone, but the footage comes out shaky, jittery, and flat. Whether you’re vlogging, filming your next Reel, or just trying to keep up with a moving subject, a smartphone gimbal can be the difference between content that pops and content that flops. And when it comes to gimbals, DJI knows what it’s doing.
But choosing between the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 and the Osmo Mobile SE? That’s trickier. At first glance, they look almost identical. Same shape, same magnetic clamp, same basic features. But spend a few days shooting with both—and we have—and you start to notice the differences in how they feel, how they move, and how they let you create.
Spoiler: they’re not built for the same kind of creator. And that changes everything.
Form factor twins? Almost, but not quite
Fold them up, and you’ll probably do a double take. Both the Osmo Mobile 6 and the Osmo Mobile SE share DJI’s familiar folding-arm design, making them super easy to toss in a bag, or even a jacket pocket. But once they’re in your hands, things shift.
The Osmo Mobile 6 weighs just 305 grams, noticeably lighter than the 352 grams of the SE. That doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re holding a gimbal out in front of you for ten minutes straight, those 47 grams feel like a lot more.
Plus, the Osmo Mobile 6 folds slightly slimmer and stands taller when open, which actually gives it a more streamlined, elegant feel. It’s subtle, but it adds to the sense that this gimbal was built for movement.
And there’s the zoom wheel on the side of the Osmo Mobile 6—a feature the SE just doesn’t have. It lets you control zoom with your thumb without touching your screen. Once you’ve used it, it’s hard to go back.
Built-in extension? Only one of them goes the extra mile
This is one of the clearest splits: the Osmo Mobile 6 comes with an integrated extension arm. The SE does not.
If you’re vlogging, filming yourself from different angles, or trying to get a top-down shot without a tripod, that 215 mm extension makes a world of difference. It’s like having a selfie stick built into your stabilizer, and it means you can get more creative with framing—without bringing extra gear.
The SE, by contrast, keeps things tight. No extendable arm, no reach tricks. It’s fine for more static shots or when you’re keeping the camera close to your body. But if you’re trying to grab wider scenes, you’re going to wish you had that arm.
Compatibility? Identical—and generous
No drama here. Both gimbals support smartphones between 170 and 290 grams and widths from 67 to 84 mm. That includes the big ones with cases—iPhones, Galaxies, Pixels, no problem.
They both use the same magnetic clamp system, which is one of DJI’s best ideas. You snap your phone on and off in seconds, and it holds firm through intense movement. Whether you’re switching from portrait to landscape or handing the gimbal off to a friend, it’s just easy.
Battery life: longer doesn’t always mean better
Here’s the twist. The Osmo Mobile SE has a bigger battery—2600 mAh to the Mobile 6’s 1000 mAh—and yes, it lasts longer. Around 8 hours vs. 6.5 hours of continuous use.
But here’s what they don’t always tell you: the SE also charges slower. It takes over two hours to fully juice up, while the Osmo Mobile 6 gets back to 100% in just under 90 minutes.
So if you’re out shooting all day, that SE might keep running longer, but you’ll be waiting around more when it’s dead. And given how portable power banks are now, faster charging starts to feel more valuable than slightly longer runtime.
Tilt range: the SE swings higher (literally)
Now this was unexpected. While most of their stabilization specs are similar, the Osmo Mobile SE has a significantly wider tilt range—up to 235.5°, compared to just 78.55° on the Osmo Mobile 6.
If you’re filming high-to-low transitions, or trying to follow movement from the ground to the sky, that added tilt flexibility can be a game-changer. Especially for vertical content—it lets you get more dramatic angles without pushing the gimbal to its limits.
It won’t matter much for straight-ahead filming. But once you start playing with dynamic movement, the SE wins this round.
Software and smart modes? Dead even—and that’s a good thing
This is where DJI levels the playing field. Both gimbals run on the DJI Mimo app and get access to the same intelligent features. That means you get:
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Follow mode
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Tilt Lock
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FPV
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SpinShot
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Timelapse and Hyperlapse
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Dynamic Zoom
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Panorama and Story Mode
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ActiveTrack 6.0 for rock-solid subject tracking
It’s a deep toolbox, and honestly, you can create impressive cinematic shots with either gimbal thanks to these modes. If you’re just starting out, these presets help a ton. And if you’re already experienced, they’re great shortcuts when you need results fast.
That side dial makes a bigger difference than you’d think
We said it earlier, but it’s worth repeating: the Osmo Mobile 6’s zoom wheel is a tiny feature that changes the game. You can zoom smoothly during a shot, without touching the screen or stopping the motion. And yes, you can also use the wheel to manually focus in some situations.
If you’re doing product shots, face tracking, or just want that dramatic cinematic zoom-in? You’ll miss that dial the second you use the SE. It’s the kind of hardware shortcut that becomes second nature quickly—and speeds up your shooting flow more than any menu could.
Startup time: Mobile 6 wins, again
It’s a small thing. But small things matter when you’re shooting. The Osmo Mobile 6 powers on as soon as you unfold it. No button press, no waiting. Just open and shoot.
The SE makes you press and hold a power button, then wait. Not a huge delay, but if you’re chasing spontaneous moments, it adds friction.
This auto-start feature on the Mobile 6 might seem minor—until it saves your shot. And then, yeah, it’s suddenly essential.
Day-to-day use: lighter, quicker, more intuitive
If you’re always shooting on the move—travel, vlogging, fast-changing environments—the Osmo Mobile 6 is built to keep up. It’s lighter, faster to set up, easier to zoom with, and gives you more flexibility without carrying extra gear.
The SE is a bit bulkier, a bit slower, and a bit more limited in physical interaction. It’s great for longer sessions thanks to that bigger battery, and it has that superior tilt range. But it feels like it’s designed more for set-it-and-shoot scenarios than run-and-gun creativity.
Which one should you actually buy?
If you want maximum control, speed, and flexibility, the DJI Osmo Mobile 6 is absolutely the better tool.
It’s lighter. It’s faster to set up. It has zoom control. It extends. It charges quicker. These are the details that make a huge difference when you’re shooting under pressure or trying to stay creative on the go.
The Osmo Mobile SE is no slouch. That extra battery life and wider tilt angle give it an edge in specific situations—static shots, long sessions, dramatic vertical moves. But for the majority of users, those perks don’t outweigh the added convenience and usability the Mobile 6 brings to the table.
If you’re serious about creating smooth, stylish mobile content with minimal hassle and maximum impact, the Osmo Mobile 6 just feels right. And once you’ve used that zoom wheel and extension arm, good luck going back.