As a drone enthusiast, I've been eagerly awaiting the release of DJI's next flagship model, the Mavic 4 Pro. Although there's no official launch date yet, various leaks have given us a glimpse into its exciting features. Here's what we know so far and what I'm hoping to see when it finally hits the market.
Image via Quadro_News on Twitter
A MAJOR BATTERY UPGRADE
Additionally, the drone is expected to feature an improved body design that could enhance aerodynamics, further boosting flight efficiency. This design approach follows the footsteps of the Mini 4 Pro, which saw notable improvements in both flight time and obstacle avoidance performance.
One of the most promising upgrades for the Mavic 4 Pro is its battery capacity. Early leaks suggest a significant jump from the Mavic 3's 77Wh to a larger 95.3Wh battery. This would not only extend flight times beyond the current 43-minute maximum but also keep it under the 100Wh threshold for easy travel on aircraft.
MORE INTERNAL STORAGE
Storage limitations have long been a challenge for drone operators, but DJI has been making strides in this area. The Air 3S set a new standard by increasing internal storage from 8GB to 43GB, allowing pilots to store more footage without relying on microSD cards. The Mavic 4 Pro is rumored to take this further, with expectations of at least 64GB of onboard storage.
For those opting for the Cine edition, we could see internal storage going up to 2TB to accommodate high-quality Apple ProRes footage. If true, this would be a game-changer for professionals who often find themselves swapping microSD cards mid-shoot or dealing with storage constraints in the field.
PRACTICAL ZOOM LENSES
The Mavic 3 Pro introduced a multi-camera system featuring a main Micro Four Thirds (M4/3) Hasselblad sensor, a 3x zoom (70mm equivalent), and a 7x zoom (177mm equivalent). While this was an impressive step forward, the 7x zoom proved somewhat impractical for many real-world applications. The 3x zoom, though more useful, still felt like it could be refined.
Leaked specifications indicate that the Mavic 4 Pro may come with two new focal lengths: a 2.5x zoom (50mm equivalent) and a 6x zoom (145mm equivalent). These adjustments would make the zoom lenses significantly more useful, especially for filmmakers and photographers looking to capture cinematic aerial footage. The 50mm focal length, in particular, is a classic choice for portraits and storytelling, making it an exciting addition to a drone camera setup.
Image via Jasper Ellens at dronexl.co
BUILT-IN ND FILTERS
One of the more surprising leaks suggests that DJI may be introducing internal ND filters for the Mavic 4 Pro. This would be a significant innovation for drone operators who frequently adjust ND filters to control exposure in varying lighting conditions. Currently, ND filters have to be manually swapped out, which is not always convenient when time is limited or conditions change quickly.
If this leak turns out to be true, it could eliminate the need for third-party ND filters altogether. While it’s unclear how many levels of ND filtration would be available, having even a few built-in options would streamline aerial videography workflows and reduce the need for extra accessories.
IMPROVED LOWLIGHT PERFORMANCE
Low-light performance has always been a key area for improvement in drone cameras. The Mavic 4 Pro is rumored to feature an f/2.0 aperture across all its cameras, allowing for better light capture in twilight and nighttime conditions. Additionally, if the drone’s cameras come with variable aperture functionality (as seen in the Mavic 3’s main camera), pilots will have even greater control over exposure in different lighting environments.
This upgrade could be a major advantage for photographers and videographers who shoot in challenging lighting conditions, such as cityscapes at night or sunrise/sunset scenes. Improved low-light performance would also be beneficial for commercial applications like search and rescue, surveillance, and inspection work, where visibility is often a challenge.
AN AGGRESSIVE NEW DESIGN
Leaked images of the Mavic 4 Pro show a redesigned body that appears more angular and aggressive, similar to the Mini 4 Pro. This new design is expected to enhance obstacle avoidance and aerodynamics, contributing to both flight stability and extended battery life. With sensors placed in optimized positions the drone could achieve even better object detection and avoidance, making flights safer and more intuitive.
EXPECTED LAUNCH TIMELINE
Despite all these exciting leaks, there’s still no official word on when the Mavic 4 Pro will hit the market. The drone was added to the FCC database back in December, which typically signals an imminent release. However, DJI has not followed its usual pattern of spring or fall releases this time around.
Some speculation suggests that the delay could be due to DJI ensuring that the Mavic 4 Pro launches with a complete set of features, avoiding the criticisms that followed the Mavic 3’s launch. If that’s the case, it may be worth the wait to get a fully refined product.
Image via Jasper Ellens of dronexl.co
Given that production models have reportedly been spotted undergoing quality control testing, I anticipate that the Mavic 4 Pro will be officially unveiled soon—potentially in early spring. This would align with DJI’s strategy of getting new drones into the hands of professionals and enthusiasts in time for peak flying season.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Mavic 4 Pro is shaping up to be a major leap forward in DJI’s lineup, with significant improvements in battery life, storage, camera technology, and usability. While we’re still waiting for official confirmation of these details, the leaks so far paint a compelling picture of what could be the most advanced consumer drone yet.
As we continue to watch for new developments, one thing is clear: when the Mavic 4 Pro finally arrives, it’s going to set a new benchmark for what’s possible in aerial photography and videography. I'm eager to get my hands on it and put it to the test in real-world scenarios.
Dr Drone
Author
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.