Leaks on Twitter indicate that the next-generation DJI Mini 3 is coming soon, and insiders say it could be the most affordable drone yet for a first-time UAV pilot.
The Mini 3 is rumored to be based on the Mini 3 Pro chassis, with a sub-250-gram weight, but with the absence of obstacle avoidance image sensors, but cooling vents designed to keep the UAV cool during flight.
DJI Mini 3 coming soon pic.twitter.com/M5Q3OBrAmF
— 航拍世家 打手 (@DealsDrone) December 1, 2022
The speculation comes from Drone watchers Deals Drone and DronesDJ, both on Twitter. The tweets indicate that the Mini 3 will shoot 4K HDR video with a bitrate of around 100 Mbps, much like the current Mini 2, and will likely not support D-Cinelike Raw that can be color graded in post for maximum dynamic range.
Moreover, images also suggest that it will have the same 48MP 1/1.3 inch image sensor and F1.7 aperture lens as the Mini 3 Pro, leading many to believe that the camera differences are largely software driven.
Other features of the Mini 3 include support for Vertical Video and Photography, level 5 Wind resistance flight characteristics to withstand gusts up to 23.6 MPH (38 km/h), a charging hub for batteries and the DJI RC remote control, and other “intelligent features.”
A scaled-down version of the Mini 3 Pro design is indeed in keeping with DJI’s current strategy of releasing “lite” versions of higher-end drones like the Mavic 3 Classic, and Mini SE, which was a step down from the Mini 2.
That would make the Mini 2 fill the void of the recently discontinued Mini SE, but perhaps with a feature upgrade, while the Mavic 3 will inherit the mid-level mantel under the Mini 3 Pro.
DroneDJ has also found screen captures of advanced PreOrder webpages with the Mini 3 listed with pricing and Fly More Combo details. Though it’s reasonable to assume those pages are also placeholders until the official announcement with details is confirmed.
The leak shows the DJI RC Remote Controller available in the Fly More Combo, along with up to three intelligent flight batteries, extra sets of propellers, and a shoulder bag. The stand-alone Mini 3 will also work with a smartphone and the DJI Go 4 app and could include the DJI-N1 controller interface.
— 航拍世家 打手 (@DealsDrone) December 1, 2022
According to this leak, the rumored price will fit between the Mini 2, which had an MSRP of $449, and the Mini 3 Pro, which costs $669.
So we may be looking at a sub $600 drone, with a Fly More Combo that includes the RC Remote Control for a price of around $1000.
Meanwhile, other drone watchers have heard of a retail price of under $900 for the Fly More Combo and between $600-750 for the drone itself.
All speculation at this point, but there’s talk that we won’t have to wait too long to find out, as a date of a December 9th announcement has been bandied about. Seems to close without an official invite, though. Don’t you just love the rumor mill?
[source: DroneDJ]
Order Links:
DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC Remote (B&H)
DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC Remote & Fly More Kit Plus (B&H)
DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo (B&H)
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