- According to FCC documents, a DJI Avata 2 drone could be launched soon
- Probably a new beginner-friendly FPV drone with a new camera
- Other accessories, including DJI Goggles 3, were also revealed in leaks
The original DJI Avata was a fun gateway drug for flying FPV (first-person view) drones when it landed in 2022, and a new wave of leaks suggests it will soon get a more powerful successor.
The DJI Avata 2 has now appeared in the FCC database filing, which is a clear sign that things will start soon. This was supported by further FCC evidence including battery labels for the drone and mentions of new accessories including the DJI Goggles 3 headset, a DJI RC Motion 3 controller and a DJI Remote Controller 3.
This all follows some leaked images, one of which was shared by a regular DJI leaker Quadro_News and unveiled the design of the new FPV drone (below). Another post shared by Jasper Ellens hints at some possible specs, suggesting the Avata 2’s upgrades will include imaging improvements like a larger sensor and improved safety features.
According to the leaks, the Avata 2 could get a 48MP 1/1.3in CMOS sensor, which could be the same as the one in the DJI Mini 3 Pro. That would be a pretty big upgrade over the 1/1.7in sensor in the current Avata. It could also be capable of recording 4K/120p slow-mo video and supporting D-Log M format for color correction of your videos.
Brother Avata 2, resting by the sea….I’ll see you soon.#dji #djiavata2 pic.twitter.com/ftUS6z3L9iMarch 10, 2024
The image and spec leaks suggest the Avata 2 will also be slightly larger than the current model, weighing 458 grams (up from 410 grams), although the FCC filing strangely points to a 2150mAh battery with a lower capacity, which would be a drop from 2420 mAh one in the original drone.
What we don’t know yet is how DJI has improved the experience of flying the drone. The DJI Goggles 3 could certainly make a big difference, with leaked photos suggesting the headset could even have front-facing cameras and augmented reality (AR) features.
Still, all this, and the Avata 2’s potential new safety features, should become apparent soon final informed guesswork pointing to a possible launch in mid-April.
What do we want from an Avata 2?
While we enjoyed the original DJI Avata as a smooth, easy-to-use introduction to the world of FPV drone flying, there was also room for improvement – and the Avata 2 sounds like a promising, if equally niche, flying camera.
The biggest change to the experience might actually be the DJI Goggles 3 headset, especially if it does indeed have a passthrough option to give you the option of a mixed-reality display. While this seems unlikely given that you still technically need a ‘spotter’ to maintain visual line of sight with the drone in most regions, the leaked images appear to show cameras on the front of the headset.
Other drawbacks we noted in our DJI Avata review include the poor placement of the microSD slot, the absence of a manual mode with the standard controller (which made buying the DJI Remote Controller 2 a necessity), and the risk of motion sickness while flying. (at least for some people). Hopefully its successor will address these issues somewhat without raising the £499 / $629 / AU$799 base price tag too much.
Even if you’re not interested in FPV flying, it sounds like DJI could have some goodies on the way for land-based video recording, with FCC registrations too referring to the impending arrival of the DJI RS4 and RS4 Pro gimbals. DJI’s quiet 2024 so far is about to take off, it seems.