Design
This isn't the first Mini model launched by the brand, with the Hero 4 Session being the first experiment for this form factor. But, while the original concept only features the lens enclosure with everything packed within, this new model gets a more refined design and solid build quality to justify its name. The shape of the body is definitely more square-ish, with the front featuring only the lens and a physical pairing button. There is an indicator LED also located on the front, along with a recording button and mini-display on top, which is the extent of all the controls you get with this model.
They have gotten rid of both the front and the back displays and also removed the option to swap out the battery in order to make this new design possible, which is supposed to be 13% smaller than the full-size Hero 11 Black. You do get another mounting point on the back, just like the one at the bottom, so that you can connect it to a variety of accessories in a variety of positions. While this does limit the interactivity options with this device, it also makes it easier to fit in cramped spaces and use in all sorts of inhospitable conditions.
Internals
On the inside, you get the same 8:7 sensor that is present in the flagship Hero 11 Black, featuring the same proprietary video technologies that make the brand so popular. You can take advantage of 10-bit colour depth capture through a HyperView wide-angle lens, with the footage stabilized through a variety of software modes such as HyperSmooth 5.0, horizon lock, time-lapse and others. Everything you capture is automatically uploaded to the cloud with the help of WIFI connectivity. There is also a MicroSD/SDHC slot, although we would have preferred to get SDXC support as well. Everything is run off of a smaller 1500mAh battery, which can be charged via a single USB-C port that can also be used for data transfers.
Price & Availability
As expected, the Hero 11 Black Mini is cheaper than the flagship Hero 11 Black, with a starting price of $299, when purchased through a one-year GoPro subscription that costs an additional $49 per year. If you don't want the subscription benefits, you can get the body alone for $449.
