Skyrover X1 vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: Pro-Level Specs at Nearly Half the Price

I’ve flown many of “DJI alternatives” over the years, and they all failed the same test: obstacle avoidance. The moment you needed to fly sideways through trees or track a moving subject, those budget options revealed themselves as expensive toys. The Skyrover X1 is different. It actually matches the DJI Mini 4 Pro’s professional safety systems, and right now it’s available for $470 less than DJI’s comparable bundle.

Here’s what you need to know:

• What: The Skyrover X1 delivers Mini 4 Pro-equivalent specifications including 360° obstacle avoidance, 1/1.3-inch sensor, and 4K/100fps video
• Price: Skyrover X1 Fly More Combo currently $629 on Amazon vs DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo at $1,099+ (when available)
• Why it matters: With DJI inventory scarce at major retailers, the X1 offers immediate access to flagship-level capability through Amazon Prime at a fraction of the cost

After eight weeks of testing, Shawn from Air Photography concluded: “The SkyRover X1 is an excellent choice for beginners or professionals needing a sub-250g drone for restricted areas. Its precise flight control, feature-rich design, and high-quality video make it stand out.”

The Feature That Killed Every Previous Budget Alternative

Every previous “Mini 4 Pro alternative” failed on safety systems. Budget drones offered front-only sensors or none at all. The moment you flew sideways or used tracking modes, you were flying blind.

The Skyrover X1 matches the Mini 4 Pro’s omnidirectional obstacle sensing using fisheye sensors on the front, back, and bottom. This enables confident flight in complex environments, whether you’re tracking a mountain biker through forest trails or capturing real estate footage around buildings.

For pilots who need reliable tracking shots or fly in complex environments, 360° obstacle avoidance isn’t optional. It’s what separates professional equipment from expensive toys. And until the X1, the Mini 4 Pro was the only sub-250g drone that offered it.

Complete Specification Comparison

Feature	Skyrover X1	DJI Mini 4 Pro
Current Price (Fly More)	$629	$1,099+
Weight	Under 249g	Under 249g
Camera Sensor	1/1.32-inch CMOS (48MP)	1/1.3-inch CMOS (48MP)
Max Video	4K/100fps	4K/100fps
Vertical Video	True Vertical (Rotating Gimbal)	True Vertical (Rotating Gimbal)
Obstacle Avoidance	360° Omnidirectional	360° Omnidirectional
Transmission System	Skybridge (15 km / 9.3 miles)	O4 (20 km / 12.4 miles)
Max Flight Time	32 minutes	34 minutes
Controller	Phone required (app-based)	DJI RC 2 option (built-in screen)
Color Profile	Normal, HLG	10-bit D-Log M
Internal Storage	None	2 GB
Availability	Amazon Prime (immediate)	Scarce / gray market

Range Test Surprise: X1 Actually Outperformed Mini 4 Pro

Shawn from Air Photography conducted a head-to-head range test in Canada that produced unexpected results. The Skyrover X1 reached 5 km before battery limitations forced return-to-home, while the Mini 4 Pro maxed out at 4.3 km with more battery depletion.

“The results are surprising,” Shawn noted. “The DJI Mini 4 Pro offered a consistently smoother FPV feed but only reached 4.3 km before triggering RTH due to low battery and signal issues. The Skyrover X1 reached 5 km, with a slightly choppier feed but more battery life (27% upon landing vs. the Mini 4 Pro’s lower capacity).”

That stronger signal performance likely comes from the X1’s exposed antenna design versus the Mini 4 Pro’s internal antenna placement. For pilots flying near interference sources or in areas with heavy Wi-Fi saturation, this delivers more reliable connectivity in challenging RF environments.

Top 5 Reasons the Skyrover X1 Is Worth Considering

1. Save $470+ on Equivalent Capability

The X1 Fly More Combo at $629 delivers roughly 95% of the Mini 4 Pro’s capability for nearly $470 less than the comparable DJI package. DroneXL readers can stack additional savings with code DRONEXL2025 at checkout, bringing the effective price under $600.

2. Matching Professional Safety Systems

360-degree omnidirectional obstacle avoidance enables confident tracking shots and sideways flight. This is the feature that killed every previous budget alternative, and the X1 finally delivers it.

3. Pro-Level Camera with True Vertical Video

The rotating gimbal captures full-screen portrait video without cropping, making it ideal for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The 1/1.32-inch sensor and f/1.7 aperture deliver excellent low-light performance, and 4K/100fps enables smooth slow-motion footage.

4. Immediate Availability on Amazon Prime

With DJI drones scarce at major retailers, the X1 ships within days via Amazon Prime with full U.S. warranty coverage. No customs uncertainty. No third-party marketplace risk. No cross-border trips hoping to find stock.

5. Sub-250g Regulatory Flexibility

At exactly 249 grams, the X1 maintains sub-250g regulatory status for U.S. recreational pilots, eliminating FAA registration and Remote ID requirements. For commercial operators, this means easier access to controlled airspace where larger drones face restrictions.

What You’re Giving Up: The Honest Trade-offs

The $470 savings come with real compromises. Here’s what the Mini 4 Pro does better.

Controller Experience: The DJI RC 2 with its built-in screen eliminates the hassle of connecting your phone, managing phone battery life, and dealing with screen visibility in bright conditions. The X1 forces you to use your phone for every flight. If fast setup times matter for your workflow, this is the biggest difference you’ll feel daily.

Professional Color Grading: The Mini 4 Pro’s 10-bit D-Log M color profile provides greater flexibility for post-production compared to the X1’s Normal and HLG options. For pilots matching footage across multiple DJI devices or doing serious color work, this matters.

Ecosystem and Support: DJI’s mature software, frequent firmware updates, and widely available customer support remain industry-leading. Care Refresh extended warranty coverage provides peace of mind that Skyrover cannot yet match.

Internal Storage: The Mini 4 Pro’s 2 GB internal storage provides backup recording capability if your SD card fails mid-flight. The X1 has no safety net.

Slightly Better Flight Time: The Mini 4 Pro’s 34-minute rating edges the X1’s 32 minutes, and DJI offers optional Plus batteries extending flight to 45 minutes. Skyrover has no extended battery option.

Parts Compatibility Discovery

Russ from 51 Drones made an interesting discovery during his comprehensive review. After crashing his Mini 4 Pro into a power line and damaging three propellers, he tested X1 propellers as replacements.

“I used X1 propellers as replacements, and they worked perfectly,” he reported. While no components between the two drones are officially compatible, this propeller interchangeability suggests the hardware similarities run deeper than the spec sheet indicates.

Who Should Buy Which Drone?

Choose the Skyrover X1 if:

• Budget matters and $470+ savings is significant for you
• You’re comfortable using your phone as the flight display
• You need a drone now and can’t wait for DJI inventory to stabilize
• You primarily shoot in Auto or HLG rather than flat color profiles
• You want Amazon Prime delivery with straightforward returns

Choose the DJI Mini 4 Pro if:

• The RC 2 screen controller is essential to your workflow
• You need 10-bit D-Log M for professional color grading
• You want Care Refresh warranty protection
• You’re already invested in DJI’s ecosystem and want seamless integration
• You can find it in stock at a reasonable price

DroneXL’s Take

I’ve been flying DJI drones since the Phantom era, and the Mini 4 Pro remains an exceptional aircraft. But the math has changed. At $629 for the Fly More Combo (under $600 with our discount code), the Skyrover X1 delivers the features that actually matter for most pilots: 360° obstacle avoidance, a large sensor, true vertical video, and reliable tracking modes.

Here’s what I expect: Most pilots who buy the X1 will never miss the features they’re giving up. The controller situation is the real sacrifice. If connecting your phone feels like a step backward from DJI’s screen controllers, that daily friction will add up. But if you’re coming from any other sub-$800 drone, the X1 will feel like a massive upgrade.

The range test results surprised me. I expected DJI’s O4 system to dominate, but the X1 held its own and actually flew farther on a single battery. For pilots who prioritize flight time and signal reliability over FPV feed smoothness, that’s meaningful data.

We’ve added exclusive discount codes for DroneXL readers. Use DRONEXL2025 at Amazon checkout for an additional 5% off the Fly More Combo. The codes remain active through December 31, 2025.

Are you considering the Skyrover X1 or sticking with DJI? Let us know your decision in the comments below.