The ultra-wide 5120×1080 format on Instagram is seducing designers and brands alike. Find out why this ultra-wide format is transforming Reels and capturing attention.
The 5120×1080 format on Instagram that has everyone intrigued
In recent weeks, the 5120×1080 on Instagram has become the new obsession of designers and brands. This ultra-wide, cinema-inspired format stands in stark contrast to traditional vertical videos. When it appears in a stream saturated with 9:16 content, it creates a striking visual effect: a horizontal strip that instantly captures attention, like an open window on a film.
The origin of the trend comes from a video shared by Kanye West in the summer of 2025. Since then, hundreds of influential accounts have adopted this atypical ratio. Instagram's algorithm, always attentive to engagement signals, has favored the dissemination of this content. Intrigued, users stop, look longer, and share massively. The result: the 5120×1080 on Instagram has gone viral.
The role of photographers and videographers in the 5120×1080 trend on Instagram
For image makers, the 5120×1080 on Instagram is much more than a simple stylistic effect. It's an invitation to rethink composition and give new breadth to landscapes, horizons or urban scenes. Street photographers find it a novel way of telling a complete story in a single panoramic image.
This format is also reminiscent of cut-out carousels: by splitting an ultra-wide photo into several slices, the user gradually discovers the image by swiping. But the 5120×1080 on Instagram goes one step further: it transforms a simple shot into a visual experience worthy of a movie theater.
5120×1080 on Instagram as a storytelling tool
The power of 5120×1080 on Instagram lies in its ability to sublimate the everyday. A simple street scene or a meal with friends filmed in this ratio suddenly takes on a cinematic dimension. The viewer has the impression of watching a film sequence, even if it was captured with a smartphone.
For videographers, it's a field of experimentation. Adapting to 5120×1080 forces us to think horizontally, to use space differently, and to imagine a narrative that unfolds along a panoramic line. It's a way of standing out in a flow where verticality dominates, and giving a unique identity to your content.
When brands take on 5120×1080 on Instagram
Brands couldn't remain indifferent. Airbus, Oreo, Toblerone, McLaren and Red Bull have already published content in 5120×1080 on Instagram. Their objective is clear: take advantage of the surprise effect and the "cinema" connotation to reinforce their image and generate commitment.
In a world saturated with traditional advertising, an unexpected format like the 5120×1080 on Instagram creates a break. The user stops, curious, and memorizes the message better. It's a marketing strategy to make a lasting impression.
A lasting phenomenon or a passing fad?
Like all visual trends, the 5120×1080 on Instagram raises the question of its durability. If all designers adopt it, the surprise effect may fade. What is seen as innovative today could become commonplace tomorrow.
For professional photographers and videographers, the challenge is to see this format as a creative experiment rather than an obligation. The 5120×1080 on Instagram enriches a practice, but does not replace the singularity of an artistic style. The cleverest will know how to integrate it punctually, adapting it to their universe and their storytelling.
Summary of 5120×1080's advantages on Instagram
| Main asset | Impact on the viewer | Opportunity for designers and brands |
|---|---|---|
| Surprise effect | Captures attention immediately | Differentiate your content in a saturated flow |
| Cinema dimension | Gives a strong narrative aspect | Immersive storytelling |
| Creative adaptation | Forced to rethink framing | Developing a unique visual identity |
| Commitment | Holds audiences longer | Favors the Instagram algorithm |
| Viral marketing | Associate a brand with innovation | Generate shares and memories |
What you need to know
Visit 5120×1080 on Instagram is not just an aesthetic trend: it's a powerful communication weapon. By playing on the cinema effect, it attracts the eye, stimulates curiosity and encourages engagement. It's a new artistic playground for designers, and a clever way for brands to stand out from the crowd.
However, its future will depend on how communities use it. If the format remains rare and creative, it will continue to fascinate. If it becomes a pervasive standard, its impact will be diluted. The key is to maintain artistic consistency and use the format as a lever, not a constraint.
Since 2016, ValueYourNetwork accompanies brands and influencers in these developments. With hundreds of successful campaigns to our credit, we create authentic, high-performance synergies. Do you want to capitalize on the 5120×1080 on Instagram in a strategy of influence? Contact us.
FAQ
Why does 5120×1080 on Instagram appeal so much?
5120×1080 on Instagram attracts attention because it creates a strong visual break. On a feed saturated with vertical videos, this ultra-wide format instantly captures attention and is reminiscent of cinema.
How do I create 5120×1080 content on Instagram?
To publish in 5120×1080 on Instagram, you need to export your video or image with this ultra-wide ratio and then upload it as a Reel or Carousel. The format is displayed as a horizontal band.
What types of content work best in 5120×1080 on Instagram?
Landscapes, urban skylines, street scenes and artistic videos work particularly well in 5120×1080 on Instagram, as the format emphasizes width and depth.
Does 5120×1080 on Instagram improve engagement?
Yes, 5120×1080 on Instagram improves engagement. Intrigued users stop, look longer and share more of this atypical content.
Are brands already using 5120×1080 on Instagram?
Yes, several brands like Airbus, Oreo, McLaren and Red Bull have already exploited 5120×1080 on Instagram for their campaigns to reinforce their innovative image.
Is 5120×1080 on Instagram compatible with all smartphones?
Yes, the 5120×1080 format on Instagram is displayed on all smartphones, but in a horizontal band. This is surprising and eye-catching, even if the image doesn't occupy the whole screen.
Is 5120×1080 on Instagram a sustainable trend?
5120×1080 on Instagram could be sustainable if its use remains punctual and creative. If it becomes too widespread, it risks losing its surprise effect.
How are photographers exploiting 5120×1080 on Instagram?
Photographers use 5120×1080 on Instagram to widen their framing and tell complete scenes in a single shot, offering a unique cinematic dimension.
Can we use 5120×1080 on Instagram for carousels?
Yes, by slicing a 5120×1080 image on Instagram into several segments, you get an immersive carousel that you discover by swiping.
Does 5120×1080 on Instagram help you stand out from the crowd?
Yes, 5120×1080 on Instagram helps to stand out because it breaks with the prevailing verticality and gives a cinema-like impression of premium content.