DJI Mini 3 Pro is a highlights reel of DJI’s best drones

The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone on a blue background
(Image credit: DJI)

The DJI Mini 3 Pro might be one of the most leaked products in recent years, but the drone's official take-off means we can now answer the big remaining questions – including how good it is, thanks to our in-depth DJI Mini 3 Pro review.

The Mini 3 Pro is the first premium drone in DJI's Mini series, which started in 2019 with the DJI Mavic Mini and has traditionally been an affordable range for beginners. The Mini 3 Pro is different, packing high-end features like obstacle avoidance sensors and 4K/60p video recording into a sub-250g drone. And this means it comes with a much higher price tag than its predecessors, too.

So what's new? The Mini 3 Pro brings five main upgrades on the DJI Mini 2, which will remain on sale. Firstly, it has tri-directional obstacle avoidance sensors, which face forwards, backwards and below the drone. Our review calls this a "huge leap" for DJI's Mini series, because it allows the introduction of some important software features.

These include a range of focus-tracking modes, which let you choose a subject to keep in the center of your frame and have the drone automatically follow or fly around them. The absence of FocusTrack on the DJI Mini 2 was one of our biggest bugbears with that drone, so that's a big improvement on the Mini 3 Pro.

Another step up on the Mini 3 Pro is image quality. It has a larger, 1/1.3in CMOS sensor than the Mini 2, and our review concludes that "image quality is incredibly good for such a small and lightweight drone". This is helped by the lens' bright f/1.7 aperture, which is much brighter than the Mini 2's f/2.8 lens, along with the inclusion of dual native ISO.

The latter lets the drone switch between two native ISO sensitivities (rather than the usual one), which means we found the Mini 3 Pro to be a "low-light powerhouse". Couple this with a new maximum 150Mbps video bit-rate (up from 100Mbps on the Mini 2) and the ability to shoot in 4K/60p, and you have video quality that our review deemed "excellent" overall. Filmmakers also get the option of shooting in the flat D-Cinelike profile, which provides extra flexibility for color grading afterwards.

The last two improvements over the DJI Mini 2 are battery life and controller options. The drone's standard battery promises a maximum flight time of 34 minutes, which is an improvement of a few minutes. But in some regions outside the EU, DJI is also offering a new Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which promises to deliver up to 47 minutes of flight on a charge. The downside of this battery is that it takes the drone over the 250g weight limit that, in some regions, determines whether or not it needs to be registered with local aviation authorities.

For drone fans who are prepared to spend a bit more, DJI has also made a new DJI RC controller. While you can buy the Mini 3 Pro with the standard RC-N1 controller we've seen before, that pad kidnaps your smartphone to act as the drone's viewfinder. Instead, the DJI RC has a built-in, 5.5in touchscreen, which lets you use the DJI Fly app without running down your phone's battery life.

The DJI RC controller in front of the Mini 3 Pro drone on a blue background

(Image credit: DJI)

If all of that's convinced you that the DJI Mini 3 Pro is your next drone, you can pre-order one today ahead of shipping on May 17. The most basic bundle is buying the Mini Pro 3 without a controller, which costs $669 / £639 / AU$989. This is only really an option if you already have a controller. 

If not, you can buy the standard kit ($759 / £709 / AU$1,119) which comes with the DJI RC-N1 controller that your phone slots into. Fancy that new DJI RC controller instead? That bundle will set you back $909 / £859 / €829, which is around the same price as the DJI Air 2S.


Analysis: A powerful but pricey upgrade

The DJI Mini 3 Pro drone next to its controller and accessories

The most expensive DJI Mini 3 Pro bundle (above) includes the new DJI RC controller. (Image credit: DJI)

Compact drones tend to lack the features and image quality of their larger cousins, but the DJI Mini 3 Pro changes that – for a considerable price.

If you buy the Mini 3 Pro with DJI's new RC controller, it costs around the same as the DJI Air 2S, which is a larger drone with a bigger 1-inch sensor and superior wind resistance. 

Still, there's no doubt that the Mini 3 Pro is a highly tempting proposition, given its incredibly compact size and barely-noticeable weight. The benefits of that sub-250g weight will vary depending on your region, but these can range from not having to register the drone (in the US, for example) to being able to fly closer to people (if you live in the EU).

The size also brings practical benefits, like being able to slip into a camera bag alongside other kit, while the new DJI RC controller is a real step up from the standard RC-N1. DJI told us that the RC controller is "currently only compatible with the Mini 3 Pro", but that it's "going to evaluate customer reaction and market demand as we decide how to expand its availability". For now, though, you can only get it with the Mini 3 Pro.

We still rate the DJI Air 2S as the best drone for photographers and videographers, due to its larger sensor, but the DJI Mini 3 Pro slots in closely behind it. Its main rival is likely to be the Autel Evo Nano, which we're in the process of reviewing – so look out for a full comparison between that drone and DJI's new compact king soon.

TOPICS
Mark Wilson
Senior news editor

Mark is TechRadar's Senior news editor. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. He was previously Cameras Editor at both TechRadar and Trusted Reviews, Acting editor on Stuff.tv, as well as Features editor and Reviews editor on Stuff magazine. As a freelancer, he's contributed to titles including The Sunday Times, FourFourTwo and Arena. And in a former life, he also won The Daily Telegraph's Young Sportswriter of the Year. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile. 

Read more
DJI Flip in flight against a blue sky
DJI Flip review: a new breed of beginner drone
DJI Mini 4 Pro
The best drone 2025: top flying cameras for all budgets
DJI Mini 4 Pro drone lead image
Best DJI drone 2025: the finest flying cameras from its impressive range
A DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro action camera sitting on a step, next to a DJI Neo drone flying above a palm and DJI Mic setup.
DJI in 2024: the drone-maker's highs and lows, plus what to expect in 2025
DJI Flip drone in the hand, propellors folded away
The new DJI Flip has a first-of-its-kind design that could be the future for beginner drones – but I'm not sure it hits the mark
DJI RS 4 Mini outdoors on a table
I tested DJI’s new RS 4 Mini camera gimbal, and its Intelligent Tracking Module is a game-changer for content creators
Latest in Drones
DJI Mavic 3 Pro
More DJI Mavic 4 Pro leaks seemingly reveal launch date, price and key features of the triple camera drone – here's what to expect
The DJI Mavic 3 Pro in flight over some mountains
Upcoming DJI Mavic 4 Pro premium drone could deliver new camera skills and LiDAR – here’s what the latest leaks tell us
V-Copter Falcon Mini drone in flight over the ocean alongside cliff
Zero Zero Robotics unveils world’s first sub-250g bi-copter drone with 'lightning fast acceleration' and 'unmatched agility'
Potensic Atom 2 drone on a car bonnet, with user in background holding controller ready for takeoff
The new Potensic Atom 2 is a DJI Mini 4K-rivaling beginner drone with impressive flight features
DJI Flip alongside DJI Neo drone with split purple / cyan background
DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: which of these new type of multi-use drones is best for beginners?
DJI Flip drone in flight, snowy mountain backdrop, person piloting using the RC2 controller in foreground
DJI is trusting users to fly their drones safely, and it's as bad an idea as it sounds
Latest in News
Zendesk Relate 2025
Zendesk Relate 2025 - everything you need to know as the event unfolds
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Google Gemini AI
Gemini can now see your screen and judge your tabs
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Philips Hue
Philips Hue might be working on a video doorbell, and according to a new report, we just got our first look at it
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand