Skyrover S1 Firmware Update Adds 48MP Photos, 120fps Slow Motion To $269 Budget Drone

The Skyrover S1 just received a significant firmware upgrade that transforms this budget drone into an even more compelling alternative to the DJI Mini 4K. Firmware version V01.0000.010 adds three features that push the S1 well beyond its price class: 48-megapixel photos, 1080p slow motion at 120 frames per second, and portrait video mode in both 1080p and 2.7K resolutions.

READ MORE: DroneXL Exclusive: Up To $40 Off Skyrover X1, S1 Drones With Amazon Prime Delivery Through Year’s End

Marcus from Idaho Quadcopter took the updated S1 out to Kleiner Park in Meridian, Idaho for a cold-weather test, putting all three new features through their paces in 38°F (3°C) temperatures. His findings confirm what the spec sheet promises: this $269 drone now offers capabilities that exceed DJI’s budget offering in nearly every category.

What The Firmware Update Adds

Sky Rover continues expanding the S1’s feature set through firmware updates, and this release delivers three significant additions:

• 48-megapixel photos: A substantial jump from the standard 12MP, enabling detailed stills suitable for large prints
• 1080p 120fps slow motion: Ideal for capturing action shots with cinematic slow-motion effects
• Portrait video mode: Vertical video in 1080p or 2.7K for Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms without post-production cropping

“I’m really tickled that Sky Rover keeps adding features,” Marcus noted in his video. The continued firmware development suggests a long-term commitment to the platform rather than a one-and-done product release.

How The S1 Compares To DJI Mini 4K

At $269 on Amazon, the Skyrover S1 now beats the DJI Mini 4K in almost every specification, despite the Mini 4K’s $299-359 price tag.

Portrait Mode And Slow Motion Testing

Marcus started with the vertical video mode, noting that switching to portrait is straightforward: tap the icon next to the record button in the app. The drone doesn’t physically rotate the camera but crops into the sensor to deliver 9:16 vertical format. He shot in 2.7K at 30 frames per second for maximum quality in portrait mode.

“The beautiful thing about this Sky Rover is it’s got really nice buttery smooth controls,” Marcus observed while demonstrating an orbit around Kleiner Park’s fountain, keeping the subject perfectly centered in frame throughout the maneuver.

For slow motion testing, Marcus positioned the drone over a busy intersection he frequently uses for hyperlapse work. The 1080p 120fps mode captured vehicle movement smoothly, delivering the dramatic slow-motion effect that elevates standard footage.

48-Megapixel Photos In Action

The new photo mode offers 48-megapixel capture in 4:3 aspect ratio to utilize the full sensor. Users can choose between JPEG and RAW formats depending on their post-processing preferences. Marcus captured test shots of the Boise foothills with early snow, a top-down view of a roundabout, and challenging backlit scenes to evaluate dynamic range.

“48 megapixels is a lot. You can really blow that up to poster size practically and the resolution is going to be really good,” Marcus explained.

Cold Weather Battery Performance

Perhaps the most impressive finding from Marcus’s test was battery endurance. After testing all three new features, flying around the park, inspecting Christmas decorations at Meridian Village, and completing his traditional In-N-Out drive-thru flyover, the S1 retained 47% battery capacity.

That’s notable performance for 38°F conditions, where cold weather typically degrades lithium battery performance significantly. The S1’s advertised 40-minute flight time appears to hold up even in challenging temperatures. GPS acquisition was immediate, locking 18-19 satellites within moments of power-on.

Return to home functionality performed as expected, bringing the drone within a few feet of the landing pad. The S1 lacks precision landing capabilities found on higher-end drones, but positions close enough for easy manual touchdown.

Pricing And Availability

The Skyrover S1 is currently available on Amazon for $269, with the Fly More Combo (three batteries and carrying case) priced at $389. Both configurations ship via Amazon Prime with standard buyer protections.

“I used to recommend the Mini 4K,” Marcus noted, “but this has got a little bit bigger sensor on the camera, will shoot in 4K 60, and all those features I just mentioned that you can’t do with that other drone for $269. What a value.”

DroneXL’s Take

This firmware update demonstrates something we’ve been tracking since the Skyrover S1 first surfaced on Amazon in October: DJI’s shell company network isn’t just repackaging existing products. They’re actively developing and improving them post-launch.

The S1 occupies a fascinating position in the market. As we noted in our exclusive Skyrover discount coverage, it blends the imaging hardware of the DJI Mini 4K with the extended battery life pilots actually want, creating a mid-tier option at budget pricing. With DJI drones becoming harder to find amid regulatory uncertainty and the December 23 FCC deadline looming, alternatives like the S1 provide American pilots with reliable, Prime-shipping access to capable sub-250g platforms.

The fact that Sky Rover continues pushing firmware updates with genuinely useful features, not just bug fixes, suggests commitment to the platform that budget-conscious pilots need to see before investing. Marcus’s real-world testing at Idaho Quadcopter consistently reveals what spec sheets can’t: how these drones actually perform in the field.

What do you think about the Skyrover S1’s new features? Are 48MP photos and 120fps slow motion enough to make you consider this budget alternative? Share your thoughts in the comments below.