Is the leaked DJI Mini 3 Pro photo for real?

A leaked photo of what supposedly is the DJI Mini 3 Pro was shared on Twitter earlier this week. It is rumored that the photo shows the box in which customers will receive the yet-to-be-released DJI mini drone.

Long time DJ Leaker OsitaLV said on Twitter:

“Before further confirmation. I'll regard this pic as joking.”

However, it seems that not everybody is convinced. Some people in the Drone Industry believe that this photo of a new DJI Mini 3 Pro drone might in fact be real.

Really? This is the new DJI Mini 3 Pro?

They claim that the distortions to the photo were created on purpose in Photoshop.

If this is correct, it seems that's the new DJI mini drone might be offered in different configurations, one of which would be a DJI Mini 3 Pro with a DJI RC Pro controller.

Looking at the mini drone itself, it becomes clear that DJI had to literally flip the design of the aircraft in order to add two forward-facing obstacle avoidance sensors to the front and a larger camera.

If you look closely at the photo you can see that forward legs rotate downward to come to the front, and the rear legs fold out.

This is the reverse mechanism that we have come to know from the DJI Mavic series. But it seems that this might have been necessary to allow for the larger camera and sensor and o/a sensors in the front.

Function over form?

It does not make for a stylish drone, that's for sure. Maybe DJI chose function over form here?

The front of the drone has a cut-out to allow for the camera to point upwards.

The camera itself possibly comes from the DJI Air 2, which would offer a significant step up in terms of photo and video capability.

The DJI Mini 2 offers a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor with 12 MP. The DJI Air 2 is equipped with a larger 1/2-Inch image sensor that shoots 4K/60fps video and 12MP photos and also has an option to shoot 48MP photos for extra detail and resolution in well-lit circumstances.

The photo shows that the DJI Mini 3 Pro would have an f/1.7 max aperture.

No more 3-axis gimbal for the DJI Mini 3 Pro?

Based on the photo it seems that a 3-axis mechanical gimbal may have been sacrificed in order to keep the DJI Mini 3 Pro under the weight limit of 250 grams.

It is conceivable that if DJI wanted to make the best performing drone in terms of video and photo capabilities that would still weigh less than 250 grams, the company would have to completely flip the script and radically change the design from the previous DJI Mini 2 and Mavic Mini.

The leaked photo shows that the DJI Mini 3 Pro would come with a remote controller similar to the DJI RC Pro. It would feature a large and bright display and possibly bring the O3 video transmission system to the mini drone.

It might also indicate that DJI would offer the new mini drone in three different configurations: a Mini 3 Standard, a Mini 3 Fly More Combo, and a Mini 3 Pro with the RC Pro. In line with what DJI does with the DJI Mavic 3.

The DJI Mavic Mini (2019) and DJI Mini 2 (2020) have been hugely popular among hobbyists as well as professional users thanks to their small size, low weight, and impressive capabilities.

A new DJI Mini 3 Pro that would bring improved photo and video capabilities combined with forward-facing obstacle avoidance might just be the company's next success story, eventhough it looks a bit like a Frankenstein drone in this photo.

Furthermore, it would make sense for DJI to step up its game, since its biggest competitor Autel Robotics recently launched the Nano and the Nano+ mini drones with forward-facing obstacle avoidance.

If in fact, this photo shows the new DJI Mini 3 Pro with a new version of the DJI RC Pro remote controller we do expect this package to be significantly more expensive than the outgoing DJI Mini 2.

Word on the street is that the new DJI Mini 3 Pro might hit the market as soon as April so stay tuned.

let us know what you think about this photo in the comments below. We are very curious to hear what you have to say about it.

Before further confirmation, I'll regard this pic as joking. pic.twitter.com/En7LIBv1jf

March 1, 2022

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