DJI Mini 3 leak points to imminent take-off for compact drone

A new DJI Mini 3 leak has come in the wake of last week's reveal video of the compact drone, with an internal timeline pointing to a release later this month.

A DJI product training schedule, shared by @DealsDrone on Twitter, appears to show that staff will be briefed on a new product (likely the DJI Mini 3) beginning April 20, ahead of a possible April 28 launch.

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Image credit: DJI

This isn't a precise launch date, as the post states that the "launch date is supposed to be April 28", but it does give us a likely window for the arrival of one of the most exciting drone launches of the year.

What is not yet clear is how many DJI Mini 3 models they will give us. All leaks so far, including retail product packaging and leaked video, point towards a DJI Mini 3 Pro.

This would be the first 'Pro' model that DJI releases for its Mini series, which has traditionally been an entry-level range for beginners. That means a standard DJI Mini 3 could also be on the cards, given that the Mini 3 Pro would likely be more expensive, especially if it comes with the rumored DJI RC controller.

But, so far, we've yet to see any leaks of a more traditional successor to the DJI Mini 2, which we still rate as one of the best drones you can buy. Rumors of the Mini 3 Pro so far point to obstacle avoidance sensors, a larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, and a new battery, but doubts remain. Fortunately, it doesn't look like we'll have to wait long to see them answered.

Analysis: DJI Mini 3 mysteries remain

A previously leaked Mini 3 Pro video shows what appear to be front-facing obstacle avoidance sensors and a new gimbal design that could support vertical video. (Image credit: @DealsDrone)

Recent DJI releases have seen major leaks and rumors start to build around 4-6 weeks before an official announcement, so this new leak only increases the likelihood of a release in the next few weeks.

If so, we can expect more leaks to emerge throughout April as retailers begin to receive stock. If the Mini 3 follows the same disastrous release pattern as the DJI Mini 2, we might even see someone buying one at Best Buy before the full announcement.

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While recent leaks have revealed a lot about what we can expect from the sub-250g drone, many questions remain. For example, will the DJI Mini 3 Pro be joined by a standard Mini 3? If not, what will happen to the current DJI Mini 3? And will the Mini 3 Pro be available without this leaky RC controller?

The latter is particularly important because one of the main attractions of the DJI Mini 2 (apart from its compact size) is its price. At $449 / £419 / AU$749, this is effectively the affordable compact camera in DJI's range, so it seems unlikely that DJI will drop that price entirely with a more expensive 'Pro' model.

Whether that means the arrival of a standard DJI Mini 3 or just different bundles for the DJI Mini 3 Pro, it's something we'll have to wait until later this month to know for sure.

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