GoPro Skips Hero Black in 2025 but Says Line Isn’t Dead

GoPro is breaking from its flagship playbook for the first time in nearly a decade. The company confirmed it will not launch a new Hero Black camera in 2025, which ended a streak of yearly releases that dates back to 2016. 

The announcement stirred questions about whether the Hero Black line, which has been synonymous with the GoPro brand itself, was being wound down. But GoPro insists that isn’t the case. 

Speaking to TechRadar, Rick Loughery, senior vice president of global marketing and communications, said the Hero Black isn’t dead and remains central to the company’s long-term plans. But, apparently, the new GoPro Hero Black just won’t be here in 2025.

The current Hero 13 Black, instead, will remain in place as its top model for another year. Loughery said the company still believes that “it remains one of the most advanced and capable cameras on the market.”

That message underscores GoPro’s balancing act, which is holding onto its most recognizable product while pivoting toward new formats that may better capture today’s creator-driven market.

No GoPro Hero Black in 2025. But There Are New Products

Instead of unveiling a Hero Black 14, GoPro is launching three devices aimed at broadening its ecosystem and addressing different types of users.

The MAX2 360 Camera is GoPro’s most ambitious 360-degree device yet. It can capture “true 8K” video without upscaling, supports 10-bit color, and offers GP-Log encoding for improved dynamic range. The device also comes with six microphones for immersive spatial audio. 

The Lit Hero, meanwhile, is a compact lifestyle camera that weighs only 93 grams, making it easy to carry anywhere. It records 4K60 video and features a built-in LED light beside the lens, removing the need for separate rigs in low-light conditions. 

Finally, the Fluid Pro AI Gimbal marks GoPro’s first branded gimbal accessory. It works with action cameras, smartphones, and compact cameras weighing up to 400 grams, and comes with AI-driven subject tracking, gesture controls, and full 360-degree panning.

According to Loughery, the three new products address what creators need. 

“We are focused on prioritizing the camera that our GoPro community is most eager to add to their content toolkit, and this year it’s Max 2,” he said. “And if 360 isn’t what you’re after, Lit Hero also satisfies the need for a more traditional action camera in this year’s lineup.”

A Strategic Pause

The decision to shift to other products that cater to creators’ needs reflects a changing landscape for action cameras. 

GoPro’s audience now spans vloggers, streamers, and casual creators who value flexibility as much as durability, outside of the defined category of surfers, skiers, and mountain bikers. Competitors like DJI and Insta360 have also ramped up innovation in video and computational imaging. 

For longtime fans, the absence of a Hero Black 14 may disappoint, but GoPro’s leadership is clear that the line remains a pillar of its strategy. The real test, however, will be whether MAX2 and its companions can expand GoPro’s reach beyond adrenaline sports and into everyday storytelling, which is a space where the company believes its next growth wave lies.

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