But now, following many leaks, it has officially announced the Mavic Mini.
At a glance:
What: DJI Mavic MiniWhen: 30 OctoberHow much: £369 / $349 / €3993-Axis Gimbal 2. 7K Camera30-min Max. Flight Time249g weight4 km HD Video TransmissionVision Sensor + GPS Precise Hover
(Update: it looks likely a Mavic Mini 2 will be announced in November 2020.)
Mavic Mini price
The drone comes in two versions, standard and Fly More Combo. Here are their prices:
Even the standard model comes with a remote control, so unlike the Spark, you don’t have to fly it solely from a smartphone. In fact, you can’t: it must be flown using the controller.
Go for the Fly More Combo and you get a carry case, two extra batteries, a charger for all three batteries, propeller guards and extra pairs of propellers.
Mavic Mini release date
You can buy the Mavic Mini immediately from DJI’s website. However, delivery times are currently showing as 12-19 working days, so the first Minis should arrive from around 15 November.
Mavic Mini specs
The Mavic Mini tips the scales at 249g, so should make a lot of people happy.
In the UK drone registration comes into force in a matter of weeks, and again requires drones above 250g to be registered.
Here are the key specifications:
Flight time: Up to 30 minutesRange: 4km (2. 4 miles) with controller, but limited by local regulationsCamera specs: 2. 7K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, 12Mp photos in JPGMax speed: 29mphStable flight in winds up to 17. 7mphObstacle avoidance: NoWeight: 249g
In terms of features, the Mini uses a new app called DJI Fly, which has a simpler interface that’s easier for beginners to use.
It offers four QuickShot modes: Dronie, Helix, Rocket and Circle which let novices capture complex footage by just tapping a button.
There’s no ActiveTrack, though, so it cannot follow a person or object. The other main missing feature is obstacle avoidance, which is likely due to the low price.
For more, read our full DJI Mavic Mini review.
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
