The first DJI Mini 3 leak surfaced on social media, and it suggests that the compact drone could get a major design overhaul, along with a new controller.
Reliable DJI leaker @OsitaLV posted the image below on Twitter, which divided opinion a bit. At first glance, there are signs that this is false, with the image featuring a new version of DJI's RC Pro controller (usually reserved for its high-end drones) and a new design that isn't exactly stylish.
Before further confirmation, I will consider this photo as a joke. pic.twitter.com/En7LIBv1jfMarch 1, 2022
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In fact, @OsitaLV even commented that they "considered this photo as a joke". But there are also signs that DJI could be planning a DJI Mini 3 Pro, which would be a high-end successor to its popular DJI Mini 2.
Firstly, DJI has recently shown a tendency to recycle existing components into new models, with the DJI Air 2S actually being a mini version of the now-discontinued DJI Mavic 2 Pro. If true, this leak would suggest a similar strategy with the Mini 3 Pro, which appears to be inspired by the design of the now-retired DJI Mavic Air 2.
As DJI reviewer Jasper Ellens pointed out, the leaked image shows new forward-facing sensors that resemble the Mavic Air 2. This would be a great upgrade for the DJI Mini series, which traditionally lacked external obstacle avoidance sensors to help you avoid obstacles. crash into trees.
The Mini 3 Pro leak also suggests that the drone's arms are hinged to opposite ends of the Mini 2, which could leave room for larger accessories to help keep it stable during breezes. And while a new controller would be an unexpected addition to the Mini 3, DJI has clearly named its latest controller DJI RC Pro, leaving room for a standard DJI RC, shown on the leaked packaging.
While this would certainly inflate the price of the mini drone, hence the name "Pro", DJI should still keep the Mini 3 Pro's weight under 250g. In many territories, including the United States and Canada, this would allow you to avoid the hassle and cost of registering the drone, which is required for drones that weigh more than 250g.
Analysis: A strange leak that makes more and more sense
Our first impression of the DJI Mini 3 Pro leak was that it must be wrong - after all, the Mini series has long been DJI's entry-level offering, so why make a 'Pro' version with a controller?
But the package contains more complex elements than your average Photoshop job, and the concept would fit into the drone king's recent strategy. Amid a global chip shortage and corporate troubles in the US, DJI has tended to recycle elements from its existing drones into new models, so a mini version of the DJI Mavic Air 2 would suffice.
Adding forward-facing sensors, as the leak shows, would also solve one of the biggest problems with the DJI Mini 2. This drone doesn't have any kind of obstacle avoidance sensors, and yet an affordable, entry-level model is exactly the right one. sort of flying machine that needs it. After all, even experienced pilots will rely on it when flying near awkward things like trees.
A DJI RC controller would also make sense for flight safety, giving pilots a bright 1000-nit display in a scaled-down version of the DJI RC Pro pad, which is designed for DJI Mavic 3, DJI Mavic 3 Cine, and DJI Air. .
The only big doubt we have is the camera shown in the leak: its text doesn't follow traditional DJI style and an f/1.7 lens would be extremely bright for such a small drone. By comparison, DJI Mavic Air 2 and Mini 2 have f/2.8 lenses.
Still, the leak falls within the previously announced timeline of a full DJI Mini 3 launch in April, so expect to see some more conclusive rumors soon.
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