Well after a lot of waiting and a lot of speculation GoPro have finally announced a release date for the GoPro Hero Max 2 along with a brand new budget camera. Rather than repeat the same false claims as many of the A.I. generated articles seem eager to do (and by god there’s a LOT of them online now), we’re going to look at the facts and the only verified specs as of right now.
The GoPro Max 2
Release date: 9/23 (Confirmed by GoPro.com)
Specs: Unknown at this time, nothing has been verified by GoPro.com. Many people are claiming 8K with 1″ sensors, however I’d be very weary of this claim. GoPro have already stated in their last investors relations call that they don’t have a low light capable camera and it’s a market they want to get into.
Other details: What we do know is that the camera features user replaceable lenses as demonstrated in a GoPro promotional video.
Things to look forward to?: The GoPro Max 2 was due to release last year but then was delayed without warning by over a year. This is an extra year of hardware and firmware development for what is hopefully a stunning 360 camera. GoPro even pushed the release of the GoPro Hero 14 into 2026 so they could concentrate on this model. If the lenses are truly replaceable (and without calibration required) it’s possible that GoPro may offer additional lens options for this camera like they do the Hero 13. So ND filters aren’t out of the question.
Things to be weary of?: Pushing out the release date by a year may have indicated that the GoPro Max 2 just wasn’t up to scratch compared to the competition, after all the release date was cancelled about 2 weeks after the Insta360 X5 hit the market. Many people think this indicates a severely underpowered GoPro. The giant heatsinks (4 of them) on the camera may also indicate that the camera is running a very overclocked GP2 chip which generates quite a lot of heat as a result. Also avoid the market hype of “auto subject tracking”. Other sites are trying to make this sound like it’s a built in camera feature, but so far, it doesn’t look that way. GoPro currently offer 360 subject tracking and it’s actually part of the app. So footage needs to be imported into the app and in the app you can automatically track your subject, but the footage still needs to be edited first. Also from what I’ve seen, the lenses themselves aren’t really replaceable ( I could be wrong) instead the camera looks like it has built in replaceable lens protectors (which may be glass). So we’ll have to see if the marketing is accurate or just hype.
Final Thoughts?: If GoPro want to stay active in the action camera market, the GoPro Max 2 needs to hit it out of the park. We know that GoPro can’t compete in the desktop or app market compared to the competition, so GoPro will need to offer some SERIOUS hardware specs instead. DJI Osmo 360 has a distinct advantage by integrating their wireless mic system, but without user replaceable lenses, GoPro Max 2 is the clear winner. I would be very weary of believing any website that makes claims as to the specs (look for statements such as “rumored to be..” as this means they have no idea what the specs are and are just going off other peoples claims).
The GoPro Lit Hero
Release date: 9/23 (Confirmed by GoPro.com)
The 2nd GoPro that will be released this year (and GoPro confirmed there would only be 2 cameras releasing this year).
Specs: Unknown, but likely to be the same as the current Hero 4K but with a built in LED flashlight on the front.
Other Details: GoPro haven’t revealed any details about this camera other than the built in light and it being a “bright upgrade”. This may indicate that the built in light is actually the only upgrade this camera has.
Things to look forward to?: The Hero 4K was quite a small budget minded GoPro and this one looks to build upon the success of this model while adding a built in LED light. This may prove useful for people who want to vlog on the go at night or make videos where the camera needs to be placed in a small confined dark area (car engine bay for example). So for budget minded creators, this may indeed be a worthwhile upgrade.
Things to be weary of?: LED’s generate a lot of heat and tend to be a bit power hungry. So that’s a concern. Also with no user adjustable focus, put it inside a small enclosed space and you may just end up with out of focus footage. For those filming at night (especially vlogging) LED lights can be very harsh, it’s why creators tend to use larger (softer) light panels or use smaller lights equipped with a diffuser. There’s no sign of any such accessory for the GoPro Hero Lit. Also the Hero 4K actually uses an even small sensor than the GoPro Hero 13, so attaching an LED light is really just a band aid for the Hero 4K’s low light issues. It’s also unlikely that the camera will support external audio (something the Hero 4K doesn’t do either) so keep that in mind.
Final Thoughts?: I’m not a fan of any camera with a built in battery and if you’re going to drop $200 on a camera, I’d throw in the extra $$$ to buy a full priced flagship Hero 13. However for those who film in mostly bright daylight conditions and don’t need anything more than 4K , the Hero Lit will offer you the ability to make… okish.. videos in low light conditions. If you’re going to buy a camera as a present for someone (and that someone tends to drop things a lot, hit them with hammers or set them on fire) the GoPro Hero Lit may be your best budget option.
No GoPro Hero 14?????
In short, NO! GoPro already confirmed that they were only releasing 2 cameras this year and they have now been confirmed as the GoPro Max 2 and the GoPro Hero Lit. However, this may be a good thing! GoPro have been releasing slight/incremental updates to their camera’s year after year. So don’t expect to see the GoPro Hero 14 until 2026 at the earliest.
However when the GoPro Hero 14 does update, you can expect a serious upgrade. GoPro have already stated that they are looking forward to competing in the low light market segment and this means we can realistically expect the next model to have a 1″ sensor. GoPro have already signed off on their GP3 processor back in February, so that’s something else to look forward to.
Keep in mind, if you were holding out for the Hero 14 and you want to know what to look forward to, then keep an eye on the Max 2 when it releases this week. The features GoPro introduce will be an indicator of where they intend to go with future cameras, so even if 360 cameras aren’t your thing, its still a good idea to pay attention. The embargo should be lifted on 9/23 also, so be ready for the flood of reviews from people who’ve gotten to use the unit! Until then, take any claims about specs or features with a grain of salt.
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