Aqara G3 Camera Hub, more complete impossible

We analyze the new camera Aqara G3 Camera Hub, Compatible with HomeKit Secure Video besides other rigs, and that includes a Zigbee bridge and hard-to-beat specs.

main Features

Aqara’s new bedroom has a impressive spec list, both as a camera, and in the other features it offers us:

• Compatibility with HomeKit Secure Video
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
• 360º field of vision
• Zigbee 3.0 Hub
• Infrared transmitter for device control
• 2K recording (2304 x 1296px) (HomeKit limited to 1080p)
• Night vision
• Recording in microSD (up to 128 GB) (not included)
• Facial recognition
• Gesture recognition
• Alarm system
• Tracking moving objects
• 2.4 / 5Ghz Wi-Fi connectivity
• Powered by USB-C (included)
• Status indicator (standby, streaming, paired, gesture recognition)
• Privacy mode

The first thing that stands out about this camera is its design. Inside the box the camera is delivered covered with a silicone sleeve “with ears” which gives it a fun design. My daughter described it as very “kawaii”, something I had to search the internet for and which I think describes the design of this G3 camera hub well. If that design doesn’t convince you, this silicone case can be removed, leaving a device that very much reminds me of Eve, Wall-E’s white robot friend.

The box of this G3 Hub contains the USB-a to USB-C cable necessary for its operation, as well as the necessary power adapter. We don’t have much else, not even the HomeKit code. We have the camera setup QR in the iOS Home app printed on the camera base, so we will never lose it. No mount is included to be able to place it on the wall or ceiling, but the 1/4 thread on the base allows us to fit any mount or tripod for a camera.

If we look at the different parts of the camera, at the front we will find the main lens, which is oddly off-center, leaving room for the light sensor. Two microphones located on the sides of this facade offer us good audio quality. This faceplate is moved up and down to change the camera’s field of view, and also turns completely in “off” mode leaving room for a microSD slot (up to 128 GB) for those who do not want to use the storage in cloud camera.

In the body, the only thing that can be seen is a ring of light, the color of which changes depending on the state of the camera. It turns off in “Disconnect” mode, is blue when active, and red when recording or someone is watching live. That way, those on the other side of the camera can tell if someone is looking at them. This LED can be deactivated from the settings of the Aqara application.. The body is what allows the camera to move left to right. at the back we have the loudspeaker, with which we can establish a conversation between one side of the camera and the other, or use the alarm system that this camera offers us.

Setting

The camera setup process is very straightforward. This can be done directly from the iOS Home app, but it is recommended to do it from the Aqara app to be able to get the most out of it. Firmware updates, camera movement control, gesture detection … will be done from the Aqara application. Either way, you choose which configuration method you choose, it’s pretty straightforward, you can see it in the video at the start of the review.

If we have decided to use the Aqara app to add the camera to our HomeKit network, once the process is complete, it will already be added to the Home app. We can keep both apps running, although this means that some features will be duplicatedFor example, if you disconnect the camera from Home, it will not be enough to put it in “Disconnection” mode, you have to go to the Aqara application to turn it off and then it will be completely deactivated. Personally, I only use the Home app and only quit the Aqara app for firmware updates, but that will depend on individual taste.

Aqara Home, full control

For full control of each of the functions of this camera, we have to use the Aqara Home app (link) from which we can view the videos at their highest quality, move the camera to vary the field of view, adjust the gestures on detecting, activating the detection of animals, people … All recordings can be stored on the microSD card and we can download them to our reel. Some functions cannot be used at the same time, for example, we cannot activate facial recognition and gesture recognition at the same time, but we can simultaneously activate recognition of faces, people, animals and movements. It also has the recognition of abnormal sounds, something useful for example to detect baby crying.

One cool feature is gesture detection. The camera can detect gestures like the “ok” sign, or the fully open hand, the “V” victory sign … and trigger actions that we have previously configured. This detection can be configured so that it is only activated if the face it detects is identified., or we can even decide if the gestures are with one hand or with both. Too bad those automations you can run always have to come from within the app, you can’t activate a HomeKit environment with a gesture. Other actions that go independently at home are face detection or use as an infrared remote control. If you combine gestures with infrared function, you can control your air conditioning or TV with the camera and your hand.

The alarm system that we can create with the camera also deserves special mention. Of course, it works with HomeKit, we can set 4 different modes (at home, away from home, at night and off), but We can only link Aqara accessories to trigger the alarm (motion sensors, doors, etc.) and everything has to be configured from the Aqara app, although we can control it from HomeKit. This will be a subject that we will address in a video specially dedicated to it.

Home, only the essentials.

One of the hallmarks of HomeKit is that all compatible accessories, regardless of brand, have almost identical functionality. This is generally good, because if you buy a motion detector, regardless of brand, you know how it will work, and the same goes for a camera. But in this case, it is bad for the buyer of this G3 camera hub because we are losing benefits. HomeKit does not envision higher quality than 1080p, neither camera movement, nor gesture recognition … so we have to be satisfied with the HomeKit Secure Video features, which are not uncommon, but are very oriented towards video surveillance without no more extras.

By adding the camera to the Home app, we will actually add 3 accessories: camera, motion sensor and security system. The camera has all the features compatible with HomeKit Secure Video, which means we have Smart notifications depending on our location, different recording states depending on whether we are at home or not, facial recognition, iCloud registration, recognition of people, animals and vehicles, as well as packages delivered to your doorstep, night vision, the ability to watch videos from the cloud up to the previous ten days, PiP and applications for iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac and Apple TV.

All of this is free as long as you’ve taken out iCloud storage. With 50 GB you can add a camera, with 200 GB up to five cameras and if you have 2 TB the number of cameras is unlimited. These are very advanced features that usually come at a significant monthly cost, and with HomeKit Secure Video it’s “free”. It is important to remember that videos that are stored in iCloud do not take space in your account, and after 10 days, they are deleted. You can download them to your reel whenever you want.

Editorial review

The Aqara G3 Camera Hub camera is undoubtedly one of the most complete on the market. With 2K video quality, Hub function for other Aqara devices, alarm system, motorization, gesture recognition, infrared emitter … You will not find another similar camera on the market. Although for this you need to use the Aqara app, given HomeKit’s limitations with this type of device. Its price of 155 $ on Amazon (link) places it in TOP cameras compatible with HomeKit, being far superior to other models from other manufacturers with lower performance.

The inconvenients

• Limited functionality in. HomeKit

Advantages

• 360º vision (motorized)
• Compatible with HomeKit, Alexa and Google Assistant
• SD storage
• Facial and gestural recognition
• Hub for Aqara devices

The inconvenients

• Limited functionality in. HomeKit