The Short Answer
An iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 g and a Galaxy S25 Ultra 218 g bare. With a case, mic or light, aim for 400 g of payload or more: the iSteady M7 carries 500 g, the V3 Ultra and M6 400 g.
The box says "supports phones up to 300 g." Your Pro Max weighs 233 g. Easy, right? Then you add the rugged case your tita gave you, a MagSafe ring, and a clip-on light, and the gimbal starts to droop, buzz and shut itself off mid-shot. The spec was honest. The math was not done.
Heavy phones are the most common reason a gimbal "doesn't work." This guide does the math with real phone weights and every heavy-duty option we stock, led by the Hohem iSteady M7, the highest-payload phone gimbal in our catalog.
Do the Payload Math
| Item | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (published spec) | 233 g | 218 g |
| Width / thickness | 78 mm / 8.8 mm | 77.6 mm / 8.2 mm |
| Typical case (estimate) | +30 to 60 g | +30 to 60 g |
| Total, phone + case | about 263 to 293 g | about 248 to 278 g |
Phone figures from published spec sheets via Smartprix. Case weight is our estimate; weigh your own.
A good rule: keep the total under about 80% of the gimbal's rated payload. That leaves headroom for motors to correct movement without straining. By that rule, a cased Pro Max wants a gimbal rated around 350 to 400 g or higher.
Width and Thickness Catch People Too
Payload is not the only limit. Clamps have width and thickness ranges, and cases add millimeters:
- Hohem V3 Ultra and V3: phones 58 to 98 mm wide, up to 12.5 mm thick.
- Hohem M7: 58 to 90 mm wide, 6.9 to 12.5 mm thick.
- Hohem V2S: 55 to 90 mm wide, up to 11 mm thick.
- DJI Osmo Mobile 8: 67 to 84 mm wide, 6.9 to 10 mm thick, 170 to 300 g (per Adorama's listing). A thick case can rule it out.
Heavy-Phone Options Compared
| Gimbal | Max payload | Gimbal weight | Price | Fits a cased Pro Max? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hohem iSteady M7 | 500 g | 629 g | ₱11,699 | Yes, with room for a mic and light |
| Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra | 400 g | 428 g | ₱9,711 | Yes, light accessories only |
| Hohem iSteady M6 | 400 g | 551 g | ₱6,929 | Yes, light accessories only |
| Insta360 Flow 2 Pro | about 330 g | 357 g | US$159 (US list) | Tight with a heavy case |
| DJI Osmo Mobile 8 | 300 g | 370 g | US$149 (US list) | Tight; check thickness |
Hohem prices from vmidirectph.com, October 2026. DJI and Insta360 figures from Adorama's listing and GimbalReview; we do not sell those models.
Signs Your Phone Is Too Heavy
- The arm droops or the phone tilts forward when powered off and balanced.
- The gimbal beeps or shuts down during fast moves. Hohem gimbals have motor protection that powers off on overload.
- A buzz or vibration that stops when you remove the case.
Our vibrating and beeping fixes post covers what each warning means.
Balancing a Heavy Phone
Heavy phones need more careful balance because small offsets become big forces at the motor. A few habits help:
- Center the phone in the clamp so the camera bump does not tip it forward.
- Balance with the power off. Slide the arm until the phone stays level on its own, then switch on.
- Add accessories before balancing, not after. A mic on a cold shoe changes the balance point.
- Re-balance when you switch to vertical. The weight shifts.
Our balance and calibration guide walks through it step by step.
When a Heavy Phone Is Still Worth It
There is a reason people put Pro Max and Ultra phones on gimbals: the bigger sensors and longer zoom lenses on these phones make the best footage. A gimbal rated for the weight lets you use that camera while walking, panning and tracking. Just budget for the right payload class from the start, rather than buying a lighter gimbal and fighting it every shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gimbal for iPhone 17 Pro Max?
For a cased phone with accessories, the Hohem iSteady M7 (500 g payload). Without accessories, the V3 Ultra (400 g) is lighter to carry.
Will a Galaxy S25 Ultra fit a 300 g gimbal?
Bare, yes at 218 g. With a thick case and accessories, you may hit the limit. Weigh it first.
Can I use a counterweight instead?
Counterweights help balance, not motor strength. If the total is over the rated payload, choose a stronger gimbal.
More in this series: which Hohem gimbal to buy and M7 vs Osmo Mobile 8.
Questions? Send us your phone model and case and we will check the fit. VMI Direct is an authorized Hohem distributor in the Philippines.
Written by Johannes Yu, VMI Direct. Phone specs via Smartprix; gimbal specs from Hohem, Adorama and GimbalReview.
