DJI Mini 3 drone - what we know so far

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Will this become the best drone for beginners?

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mini 3 Pro: will this drone get a non-Pro sibling? (Image credit: DJI)

Update December 5, 2022: More leaks or mistakes have been seen online regarding the new DJI drone that will be named the DJI Mini 3, an eagle-eyed sure on Twitter spotted a DJI Mini 4 Fly More package behind a glass cabinet, where this was spotted and in what retailer is not know, but that was display is the price of the DJI Mini 3 Fly more package priced at $859.99

This does sound a little on the pricey side of things, but as DJI has made no official comment about this new drone we must all take sightings and leaks with a big pinch of salt.

Original story: According to rumors from various drone rumor sites such as DroneDJ and successful leakers like @DealsDrone are suggesting that a new DJI drone is about to head over the horizon. The leaks suggest this new drone will be the DJI Mini 3 with images even showing the sticker on the FCC database and leaks of retail packaging showing a combo package that is believed to be the upcoming Fly More Combo.

What is even more interesting is to see that this drone looks like it will be shipped with the DJI RC Remote, which means this could be the cheapest drone in the DJI lineup to feature the built-in screen remote control, which is now a major selling point for the new series of DJI drones.

On inspecting the leaked images of the DJI Mini 3 it appears that to save costs, and to make it stand out from the recent DJI Mini 3 Pro the front-facing obstacle sensors have been removed. However, apart from this brief design omission, the DJI Mini 3's design seems to be nearly identical to that of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, which is good news and that could mean this new drone could weigh under 250g - which is perfect for beginners wanting to try drones for the first time, and not have to learn all the restrictions that heavier drones have to obey.

DJI Mini 3 FCC sticker

Leaked DJI Mini 3 FCC sticker (Image credit: DJI / FCC)

It is expected that this DJI Mini 3 will come in at a lower price point than the DJI Mini 3 Pro, so we can expect a bit of a downgrade on the spec front. I can see DJI, not including D-Cinelike video format so instead of having room to edit your video after the fact, the video color is more than likely going to be 'baked-in'.

If the images are anything to go by it looks like the DJI Mini 3 will share the same camera module as the DJI Mini 3 Pro - which would be a major upgrade from the DJI Mini 2, along with its larger 1/1.3-inch sensor.

The big question is how much is the Mini 3 might cost? The Mini 3 Pro starts at $669 / £639 / AU$989 (with no controller) but rises to $759 / £709 / AU$1,119 with a standard controller. So the DJI Mini 3 with fewer specs, and with a controller, could be listed for around US$580. 

No official news has come from DJI, so far, so all these specs and pricing its pure speculation at this time, but what is certain is DJI is going to keep rolling on launching pro models and then launching more consumer-grade variants on the market, which is only a good thing for anyone that wants to get started in drone photography and video.

To find out more, you can read our guide to the best camera drones, the best FPV drones, and the best travel drones.

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Sebastian Oakley
Sebastian Oakley
Ecommerce Editor

For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and holds a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since his film days using a Nikon F5. He saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still, to this day, the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, the British Equestrian Writers' Association.

He is familiar with and shows great interest in 35mm, medium, and large-format photography, using products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2, shooting Street/Documentary photography as he sees it, usually in Black and White.