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DJI Mini 3 Pro Is More Capable In Every Way But Also More Expensive
With the optional Intelligent Flight Battery Plus battery upgrade, you’ll get an impressive flight time of 47 minutes.
DJI has just announced the successor to the Mini 2, and drone enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to because just about everything that could have been improved has been improved.
The new drone, called Mini 3 Pro, features a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor (the Mini 2 has a 1/2.3-inch sensor) that can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The sensor supports HDR, but turning this feature on limits the maximum frame rate to 30 when recording 4K video.
Professional videographers will appreciate the ability to record in a flat color profile for more flexibility during post-processing.
Besides recording videos, the Mini 3 Pro can also capture still pictures, and their maximum resolution is 48 MP. Because the drone’s sensor is paired with an f/1.7 aperture, you can expect great low-light performance both when recording videos and capturing photos.
Of course, even the best image quality isn’t all that useful if your drone can’t stay in the air long enough for you to capture the desired footage. Here, the Mini 3 Pro offers two battery options, and they’re both quite impressive.
With the standard battery, the drone has a flight time of 34 minutes, so you’re already looking at 3 extra minutes compared with the Mini 2. However, you can also get the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus battery upgrade for a flight time of 47 minutes — that’s impressive!
Also Read: Desklab 4K Monitor Review: The Best Portable Monitor
The only downside is that the larger battery makes the total weight of the drone exceed 250 grams, the limit for drone registration set by the FAA and several other transportation agencies around the world.
Without the larger battery, the DJI Mini 3 Pro costs $669, and the kit the battery comes with is priced at $909. You can also pay $340 to add the new DJI RC controller, which supports powerful O3+ video transmission technology.
The Mini 3 Pro can be pre-ordered right now directly from DJI, and it’s expected to ship this summer.
News
UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.