The ever-industrious DJI leaker @Quadro_News shared a screenshot provided by @MauroTandoi on X (formerly Twitter) apparently showing the DJI Air 3S rumors on DJI’s Fly app (see below).
I couldn’t find the same product when I browsed the app, so it may have been removed by now. However, if the Air 3S did appear in the app, that would seem to confirm the existence of the rumors of a mid-range consumer drone.
@Quadro_News has also tentatively suggested that the drone, which could replace the Air 2S and Air 3, will hit stores sometime next month, following DJI’s next product, reportedly the Osmo Action 5 Pro. It was officially announced last week in DJI’s ‘A Pro Rises’ video at X, with a launch date of September 19.
👉DJI Air 3S is ready) The boys found another confirmation… October for now https://t.co/dsWflnmhFRSeptember 14, 2024
Other DJI leakers have suggested the rumored Air 3S launch could come even earlier than October, with teaser artwork detailing a September 25 announcement. We can’t verify whether this is legit, and while that date seems unlikely, the Air 3S leaks have been gaining momentum suggesting it may not be long before we get our hands on DJI’s next drone.
Mid-range magic?
Leaks surrounding the DJI Air 3S have been mounting, suggesting that the mid-range drone will pack everything from LiDAR (which would be a first for one of DJI’s consumer drones and could improve flight performance) to a camera upgrade that sees one of the dual cameras supported by a larger 1-inch sensor. This is said to be an improvement over the dual 1/1.3-inch sensors of the excellent Air 3.
If DJI is indeed on the way to announcing an Air 3S, it would be a sign that the drone giant is forging ahead despite the looming US ban. It would follow up the excellent DJI Neo as a compelling all-round drone based on the Air 3 design for those who want a little extra power and camera versatility, but aren’t put off by the extra requirements and limitations that come with a super-250g drone – its likely C1 classification in Europe would require obtaining an A2 Certificate of Proficiency.
We currently rate the DJI Air 3 as the best all-around drone from DJI and really all drone makers. Of course, news of a successor is met with great excitement from drone fans, especially with the rumors of upgrades. However, I’m going to throw some cold water on the rumors and timeline for now, as they seem to be based on speculation and I haven’t seen the level of detail in the leaks that usually suggests its arrival is imminent.