Drone rumors in 2024: what drones are coming, and the most reliable tips

DJI Rumors

DJI Mavic 4

We've not seen an update to DJI's premium folding drone since the Mavic 3 Pro in April 2023, but there is a lot of evidence that's about to change, some from pretty good sources. The phase 'Mavic 4' has appeared on more than one tweet, or, er, 'X'!

When the first DJI drone bearing the moniker Mavic arrived in 2016 – the Mavic Pro – with its then-revolutionary folding legs it marked the beginning of the end for the iconic Phantom line but, with the Insipre already out, there it wasn't clear this was the shape professional operators would be adopting, despite the 'Pro' in the name!

Over time we've seen lighter options (and weight regulations) bring the Mini, Mini Pro, and Air series drones arrive, while craft roughly the same size as the original Mavic have become ever more capable.

Anyway, the evidence...

Credibility Assessment: High

Jasper Ellens is one of the most reliable DJI rumor tweeters. He shared accurate images of the Mini 4 Pro, Action 5 Pro camera, and the DJI Neo drones ahead of their releases, so it's fair to assume he has accurate information. At the end of September he's also added what he thinks is a Mavic 4 FCC registration.

Here he might just be reposting an image from China, but the 'perfect sphere' which is a new camera mount has been seen in previous rumor images. He could just be a quick researcher though – Igor Bogdanov posted this image a day earlier, as well as this image of what looks to be the same camera module way back in July which suggests the testing cycle has been going on a while now...

Oh, and don't forget that in my own interview with DJI's Head of Global Policy he also happened to say "Mavic 4"...

It looks to me like the word 'Hasselblad' is there on the front, and until now that's only appeared on the high-end Mavic.

Anyway that FCC registration that has him convinced might be the icing on that cake:

DJI Air 3S?

The DJI Air series has become a firm favorite for photographers and content creators because it's a little heavier than the Mini Pro series. DJI used the extra solidity in the, er, air to allow the Air 3 to carry two cameras in hybrid form, a concept familiar from the Mavic 3 line and most phones.

That drone was launched in July 2023 so, understandably, users are looking to DJI for some level of update. DJI aren't really under any pressure to deliver annual change, but we'd expect it before two years are up, so the fact rumors are swirling now isn't a surprise, and perhaps the winter market is important.

The Air 3 is light enough to fit in the EU C1 weight class, which makes it especially appealing.

I've also seen this German drone training provider repeating the rumors about the Air 3S, so clearly some people in the trade are convinced!

Credibility Assessment: High

Igor Bogdanov – or "Quadro News" – is one of the most reliable sources of information of DJI news we've come across, regularly seeming to get hold of images of future DJI products before anyone else. What's most interesting is that, if you go back and look at them, his 'speculations' at the names have high degree of success too ("Is it a Mavic 4?" or "Is it an Air 3S?" come along before packaging images surface). 

DJI Goggles N3

Perhaps the most interesting is another tweeted image appearing to show new "Cheaper" goggles. Youtuber DroneCamps RC posted a tweet by Jasper Ellens (yes, from all the other rumors/leaks!) and suggested that chaper LCD panels instead of OLED might be used in (what he calls) upcoming 'Goggles N3'.

The pic still seems to show pass-through cameras though – that can't be free!

Credibility-wise it's hard to say much about that detail, but it would make sense to get cheaper goggles out before Christmas given the relatively low price of the DJI Neo and the whopping price of the current Goggles.