DJI Avata 2 drone likely to get launch date with official ‘ready to roll’ teaser
- DJI has released a teaser for an April 11 launch event
- The teaser shows an FPV drone that looks a lot like the leaker DJI Avata 2
- The Avata 2 is expected to launch alongside a new DJI Goggles 3 headset
Just a week after a flurry of leaks revealed hands-on videos and retail packaging for a new DJI Avata 2 drone, the drone giant has all but confirmed that the FPV (first-person view) flying machine will launch on April 11.
A new ‘Ready to Roll’ teaser (below) posted to DJI’s social media and website shows that it will launch a new drone on April 11 at 9am EDT / 2pm BST (or midnight AEST on 12 April).
While DJI isn’t calling the incoming drone the Avata 2, the teaser image does show one that looks identical to the Avata 2 leaks we’ve seen in recent days. So barring a truly strange turn of events, we’ll see the sequel to the DJI Avata in just under ten days.
Ready to rollApril 11, 2024 | 9am (EDT)Learn more 👉 https://t.co/lCfoVrRSQC pic.twitter.com/ceR8TvoqTLApril 2, 2024
FPV drones differ from traditional drones like the DJI Mini 4 Pro (which currently tops our guide to the best drones) in that they connect to a headset, giving the pilot a live view of the drone itself. This means you get an incredible flying experience and also much finer control over your drone’s movements, which helps create impressive videos like this Red Bull’s FPV drone versus a Formula 1 car video.
No one expects the DJI Avata 2 to be as fast as the 350 km/h drone in that video (the original Avata reached a top speed of 97 km/h in manual mode), but it should be a better option for beginners those looking for a taste of FPV flying than its predecessor, which landed in August 2022.
The image in DJI’s teasers suggests a more streamlined design, while the latest rumors point to better image quality thanks to a larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor. One detail we probably won’t get until after the full announcement is the price of the DJI Avata 2, but hopefully it won’t differ too much from the original model, which costs £499 / $629 / AU$799 (without accessories) or $1,388 / cost £1,229. with the DJI glasses 2.
DJI Avata 2: what to expect
DJI’s Avata series isn’t pro-level FPV drones like the fast drones used in the Red Bull video above, but the original was a solid introduction to the genre – and the sequel should take some of the rough edges have to complete it.
Our DJI Avata review praised the drone’s image quality, rugged design and Goggles headset, but criticized annoyances such as the placement of the microSD card slot (in one of the blade rings) and the relatively steep learning curve.
While it still looks like DJI will only bundle the Avata 2 with its Motion Controller – meaning you’ll have to buy the incoming FPV Controller 3 separately to fly in ‘acro’ mode – the drone should be easier to fly, thanks to some sensors on the back that can be seen in leaks from among others Quadro_News.
Other leaks suggest that image quality should get a boost from the new 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, which will apparently record 4K video and 48MP photos, and that your footage will also apparently benefit from new stabilization technology like RockSteady 3.0+ and HorizonSteady.
Leaked further leaked images The retail packaging of the Fly More Combo shows that the Avata 2 will also be quieter in flight than its noisy predecessor. And we’re especially interested to see what DJI does with its new Goggles 3 headset, which appears to have two cameras on the front.
Could this mean augmented reality powers for the Avata 2? We don’t know for sure yet, but we will know for sure on April 11.