When GoPro unveiled its new Max 2 360 camera and the budget-friendly Hero Lite, not to mention a new handheld gimbal, many fans noticed one big omission: there was no sign of the long-awaited Hero 14 Black.
A month after the company’s 2025 Fall announcement, questions remain – where is GoPro’s next flagship action camera?
Image Credit – GoPro
For nearly a decade, GoPro has released a new Hero model every year, following a rhythm similar to Apple’s iPhone updates.
This year, however, the company broke tradition. There will be no Hero 14 Black in 2025 – a move that has fueled speculation about whether GoPro is rethinking its product roadmap.
It’s not the first time the company has paused between releases.
The Hero 4 launched in 2014, but the Hero 5 didn’t arrive until two years later.
That gap likely allowed GoPro to develop the GP1 image sensor, which debuted in the Hero 6 and became central to the company’s later innovations.
This year’s hiatus appears to serve a similar purpose: buying time for the next major leap forward.
When asked about the delay, GoPro executives defended the decision, emphasizing that the current lineup remains competitive:
“The HERO13 Black and HERO13 Black Creator Edition remain at the forefront of capability and versatility for creators, vloggers, filmmakers, and everyday enthusiasts – especially with the addition of the HB-Series Lens Collection.
The speed of our tech innovation has been incredible over the last few years, and we believe the HERO13 Black remains one of the most advanced and capable cameras on the market.
Therefore, in 2025, GoPro will continue to position the HERO13 Black as our lead flagship camera.”
Image Credit – GoPro
The statement suggests GoPro is holding its ground while preparing for its next phase – possibly the leap to 8K.
While competitors like Insta 360 have already introduced Ace Pro 2 8K camera, and DJI’s rumored Action 6 is expected to include a similar sensor with wireless control, GoPro appears to be taking a more deliberate approach.
CEO Nick Woodman has also hinted at new directions beyond the traditional action camera market. In a recent interview, he said:
“Another important area in an adjacent product category that makes sense for GoPro to explore, but that we do not currently participate in, is the higher-end low-light camera category for vloggers, prosumers, and professionals.
That’s an exciting opportunity for us to pursue starting next year.”
Image Credit – GoPro
That comment points toward a shift – GoPro expanding its lineup to serve vloggers and content creators, a segment it has only lightly touched until now.
The new Lit Hero, with its built-in video light and accessible price, and the Max 2, which pushes cinematic creativity in 360, both suggest how the company is broadening its scope as it readies a true flagship successor.
In short, the Hero line isn’t dead. GoPro appears to be prioritizing innovation and financial stability over annual release cycles as it recovers from earlier struggles.
Whether the next-generation Hero arrives in time to challenge its 8K rivals remains to be seen, but GoPro insists that the camera that defined the action market still has plenty of life left, while the new kids on the block with the Max2 and Lit Hero are equally as exciting.
[source: DCW]
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