Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Compared with DJI Air 3, what are the main improvements of DJI Air 3S?
A: DJI Air 3S has significant upgrades in its camera system, vision sensing, intelligent features, and video transmission. Key improvements include:

1. An upgraded 1-inch CMOS primary camera with a new image-processing platform, delivering up to 14 stops of dynamic range* and supporting 4K/120fps video recording**. The wide-angle and medium tele cameras also support the new Free Panorama feature for more flexible shooting ranges.
2. New forward-facing LiDAR for nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing*** and next-gen Smart RTH. The drone can identify and avoid obstacles like buildings during flight and return paths, enhancing safety during urban nightscape photography. It can also memorize flight paths in well-lit conditions for quick takeoffs and safe returns, even without satellite signals****.
3. The O4 video transmission system provides more stable signals, stronger anti-interference, and improved image quality.

*14 stops of dynamic range are available for video in Auto mode, excluding vertical or slow-motion video.
**4K/120fps recording is supported only in Slow Motion mode.
***Nightscape obstacle sensing requires discernible textures and lighting of more than 1 lux.
****Flight path memorization requires surfaces with textures and lighting exceeding 10 lux.

Q: What is the certification level of DJI Air 3S in Europe?
A: DJI Air 3S is C1 certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Q: How do I activate DJI Air 3S?
A:

• For DJI RC-N3: Connect your mobile device (with internet access) to the remote controller and then connect to the DJI Air 3S via the DJI Fly app. Follow the instructions in the app to activate your drone.
• For DJI RC 2: Connect DJI RC 2 to the internet via Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot, then follow the instructions in the DJI Fly app to activate the controller. After activation, connect DJI RC 2 to the DJI Air 3S and follow the instructions in the app to activate the drone.

Q: Is DJI Air 3S waterproof?
A: No, DJI Air 3S is not waterproof. Avoid water contact, as it may damage the drone. If it starts raining during flight, return and land the drone as soon as possible. Ensure it is fully dry before using it again.

Q: What app do I need to install before using DJI Air 3S?
A: DJI Air 3S requires the DJI Fly app, which can be downloaded from the official DJI website.
Note: If you are using DJI RC 2, the controller comes with the DJI Fly app pre-installed.

Q: Does DJI Air 3S support vertical shooting?
A: Yes, both the wide-angle and medium tele cameras support vertical shooting (9:16) at a maximum video resolution of 2.7K/60fps.

Q: Compared with DJI Air 3, what are the improvements in the camera module of DJI Air 3S?
A: The DJI Air 3S offers several major improvements over the DJI Air 3’s camera module:

1. It features an upgraded 1-inch CMOS primary camera with a new image-processing platform, providing up to 14 stops of dynamic range*.
2. It supports slow-motion video recording at 1080p/240fps and 4K/120fps**.
3. A new Subject Focusing feature enables fast and intelligent subject recognition with continuous, precise focus.
4. Both the wide-angle and medium tele cameras support the new Free Panorama feature, offering flexible shooting ranges.
5. Next-gen intelligent algorithms greatly improve photo quality.
6. Video ISO limits have been increased: the maximum ISO in normal color mode is now 12,800***, and in D-Log M and HLG color modes, it is 3,200.

*14 stops of dynamic range are available in Auto mode but not for vertical or slow-motion video.
**Slow-motion video is available only in Slow Motion mode.
***The maximum ISO for slow-motion video remains 6,400.

Q: How do I adjust the antennas of the remote controller?
A: For optimal transmission, keep the antennas pointed directly toward the aircraft during flight.

Q: Which remote controllers are compatible with DJI Air 3S?
A: The DJI Air 3S is compatible with two remote controllers: DJI RC-N3 and DJI RC 2.

Q: Does DJI RC 2 support quick charging?
A: Yes, the USB-C port on DJI RC 2 supports quick charging with up to 9V/3A power input when using a 9V/3A charger. It can fully charge the battery in approximately 1.5 hours at the fastest speed.

Q: How do I customize the button functions on DJI RC 2?
A: You can customize the functions of the C1 and C2 buttons on DJI RC 2 through the DJI Fly app, allowing for more convenient control.

Q: Does DJI RC 2 support installing third-party apps?
A: No, DJI RC 2 does not support the installation of third-party apps.

Q: Does DJI RC 2 support the DJI Cellular Dongle 2?
A: DJI RC 2 does not directly support the DJI Cellular Dongle 2. However, you can connect DJI RC 2 to a smartphone Wi-Fi hotspot to access a cellular network. When combined with the DJI Cellular Dongle 2 installed on the aircraft, this setup enables Enhanced Transmission.

Q: Does the max transmission distance of the O4 video transmission system vary according to the interference level of the environment?
A: Yes, the maximum transmission distance varies depending on the interference level in different environments.

• Unobstructed:

  • Strong Interference (Urban areas): Approx. 1.5-4 km
  • Medium Interference (Suburban areas): Approx. 4-10 km
  • Low Interference (Suburb/Seaside): Approx. 10-20 km

• Obstructed:

  • Low Interference, Obstructed by Buildings: Approx. 0-0.5 km
  • Low Interference, Obstructed by Trees: Approx. 0.5-3 km

Measured under FCC standards in typical environments with varying levels of interference. Actual transmission distance may differ.

Q: What are the network speed requirements for DJI Air 3S using Enhanced Transmission?
A: Ensure your network speed is at least 5 Mbps for Enhanced Transmission.

Q: Is it possible to manually switch between Enhanced Transmission and the aircraft's original video transmission?
A: You cannot switch between the original video transmission and Enhanced Transmission when the original transmission signal is unavailable. However, if both the original transmission and 4G signals are available, you can manually enable or disable Enhanced Transmission.

Q: How much data does DJI Air 3S consume when using Enhanced Transmission?
A: When the DJI O4 video transmission signal is strong, the drone will not activate the 4G transmission link. If the transmission fully switches to 4G, a 30-minute flight will consume around 1 GB of data. This is an approximate figure; actual data usage may vary.

Q: Why does the live view sometimes experience increased latency when using Enhanced Transmission?
A: Enhanced Transmission uses 4G technology to connect both the aircraft and remote controller to a server, which relays the video feed and control commands. Latency may occur due to the following reasons:

1. 4G signal strength depends on the signal quality at both the aircraft and remote controller ends. Signal strength may weaken at higher altitudes since 4G base stations primarily aim their signals toward the ground. In urban areas, taller buildings can also cause network congestion.
2. The aircraft may encounter signal interference or weaker 4G coverage during flight, causing interruptions in the connection.
3. The drone may need to switch between different base stations during flight, especially in urban environments, which can affect data transmission smoothness.

Q: Equipped with the DJI Cellular Dongle 2, does DJI Air 3S support remote takeoff/landing or remote control from a different location if the O4 video transmission is disconnected?
A: No, remote takeoff or remote control from a different location is not allowed if the O4 video transmission is disconnected.

Q: Does the DJI Cellular Dongle 2 support SIM cards from mobile virtual network operators?
A: It is not recommended to use a SIM card from a mobile virtual network operator, as it may cause connectivity issues.

Q: What type of SIM cards does the DJI Cellular Dongle 2 support? What should I be aware of?
A:

1. The DJI Cellular Dongle 2 supports nano-SIM cards and eSIM (note that eSIM is not supported outside of mainland China). Ensure that the SIM card is compliant with local regulations.
2. It is recommended to use a SIM card from an official mobile network operator that supports 4G networks.
3. Avoid using IoT cards, as they can severely affect video transmission quality.
4. Do not use SIM cards from mobile virtual network operators, as they may cause network connection issues.
5. Do not manually cut SIM cards, as this can damage the card or make it difficult to insert or remove.
6. If the SIM card has a PIN code, disable the code before using it with the DJI Cellular Dongle 2 to prevent network issues.
7. Do not insert or remove the SIM card after powering on the DJI Cellular Dongle 2.

Q: Does the DJI Cellular Dongle 2 support 5G networks?
A: No, it does not support 5G networks.

Q: Which countries or regions do not support Enhanced Transmission?
A: Enhanced Transmission is not supported in countries such as Thailand, the United States, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and others.

Q: What should I be aware of regarding Enhanced Transmission when traveling between mainland China and other countries or regions?
A: Due to privacy regulations, you must purchase the correct version of Enhanced Transmission for your location. There are two versions: one for mainland China and one for other countries and regions.

Q: What steps are needed when using Enhanced Transmission with different remote controllers?
A:

• For DJI RC-N3: Ensure that your smartphone has a stable network connection.
• For DJI RC 2: Connect the remote controller to a Wi-Fi network.

Q: What should I be aware of when using Enhanced Transmission?
A:

1. If the aircraft is connected exclusively via 4G during landing, it can only take off again within three minutes. After that, it will need to reconnect to the O4 transmission system to take off again. Be mindful of this when flying beyond the O4 range.
2. Always operate in areas with strong 4G signals on your remote controller or smartphone for optimal Enhanced Transmission performance.
3. Enhanced Transmission relies on 4G networks, which may introduce some lag if the O4 signal disconnects.
4. When the O4 signal is weak or lost, maintain an appropriate altitude, ideally below 120 meters in open areas, for better 4G coverage.
5. In urban areas with tall buildings, set an RTH altitude higher than the tallest building to avoid obstacles.
6. In urban GEO zones, enable APAS for safer flight.
7. Avoid flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), especially at night.
8. Be cautious if the DJI Fly app alerts you about a weak 4G signal.

Q: What should I be aware of when using Enhanced Transmission with DJI RC 2 via a smartphone hotspot?
A: Set your smartphone hotspot to operate on the 2.4GHz frequency band or enable the "Maximize Compatibility" option.

Q: Will an incoming phone call interrupt Enhanced Transmission when using DJI RC-N3 paired with a smartphone or DJI RC 2 connected to a smartphone Wi-Fi hotspot?
A: It is not recommended to answer phone calls while flying the drone.

• For DJI RC-N3 users: Enhanced Transmission uses your smartphone’s 4G network. Receiving a call or using other smartphone functions may restrict the DJI Fly app’s access to the 4G network, disrupting Enhanced Transmission.
• For DJI RC 2 users: If the smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot and receives a call, the network may switch to 2G/3G, disrupting Enhanced Transmission.
  If both Enhanced Transmission and O4 transmission are unavailable, it may lead to a loss of control, triggering Failsafe RTH.

Q: How do I update the firmware of DJI Air 3S?
A: When the aircraft is connected to the remote controller and a new firmware version is available, the DJI Fly app will display a firmware update prompt. Follow the instructions to update the firmware for the aircraft, remote controller, battery, and other devices.
You can also update using the DJI Assistant 2 (Consumer Drones Series) software on a computer. The latest version can be downloaded from the DJI Air 3S Downloads page on the official DJI website.

Q: What factors can lead to an update failure?
A:

1. The battery level of the aircraft or remote controller is below 20%.
2. The aircraft or remote controller is powered off during the update. If this happens, restart both devices and try again.
3. The network is disconnected during the firmware download.
4. Your smartphone interface switches to other apps during the firmware download.

Note: The aircraft may restart multiple times during an update and will automatically power off once the update is complete.

Q: Can I use other USB-C chargers to charge the battery?
A: Yes, but for optimal charging efficiency, it is recommended to use the DJI 65W Portable Charger, DJI 100W USB-C Power Adapter, or other chargers that support the PD protocol with a power output of 60 watts or more.

Q: How do I install the DJI Cellular Dongle 2?
A: Start by lifting the tail end of the cellular dongle compartment cover to remove it. Inside the compartment, scan the QR code to access a tutorial video on disassembly and installation. Follow the instructions in the video to properly install the DJI Cellular Dongle 2. After installation, reattach the compartment cover, power on the aircraft, and connect to the remote controller. Finally, verify the 4G function works correctly in the DJI Fly app’s camera view before use.

Q: Which DJI Air 3 accessories are compatible with DJI Air 3S?
A: DJI Air 3S is compatible with the DJI Air 3 Low-Noise Propellers, DJI Air 3 Battery Charging Hub, and DJI Air 3 Intelligent Flight Battery*.
For further details, check the product compatibility list for the corresponding accessories at the official DJI Store.

Note: When using the DJI Air 3 Intelligent Flight Battery, DJI Air 3S does not support the Off-State QuickTransfer feature.