DJI Mavic 4 Pro Review: Setting a New Benchmark for Consumer Drones

Mavic 4 Pro Drone Launch Overview

DJI has officially launched its highly anticipated Mavic 4 Pro drone. However, U.S. consumers are facing disappointment as the drone is currently unavailable for sale in the United States due to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration and other market uncertainties, including the looming possibility of a ban on DJI products. Unfortunately, there is no indication of when the drone will be available in the U.S. or at what price point. This news is particularly disappointing for American buyers, given that the Mavic 4 Pro is touted as the most technologically advanced consumer drone on the market.

Technological Advancements

The Mavic 4 Pro is equipped with a revolutionary triple-camera system housed in a uniquely designed round gimbal. This setup allows the drone to capture video at an impressive 6K resolution at 60 frames per second, boasting 16 stops of dynamic range. This specification surpasses not just competing drones, but also many traditional cameras. DJI has also made significant enhancements in top speed, battery life, and operational range, in addition to improving obstacle avoidance in low-light conditions through an innovative new LiDAR system. Complementing these features is the introduction of the RC Pro 2 controller, which offers a foldable design that enhances usability.

Hands-On Experience

After using the Mavic 4 Pro for a couple of weeks, it became clear that its performance exceeds its impressive specifications. Although the drone comes with a relatively high price tag, its exceptional build quality and capabilities make it stand out in the consumer drone market.

Design Features

One of the most striking features of the Mavic 4 Pro is its large round “Infinity Gimbal” that houses the triple-camera system, enabling the gimbal to rotate freely for improved stabilization and diverse camera angles. This mechanism increases the tilt-up angle from 60 to 70 degrees, allowing for unique “Dutch” angles in footage. The gimbal can also rotate 90 degrees to capture full-resolution vertical videos, perfect for social media content.

The Mavic 4 Pro weighs 2.3 pounds, making it slightly heavier than its predecessor, the Mavic 3 Pro. Its updated propeller arms can now fold and unfold in any sequence, providing ease of use. Additionally, the drone’s aerodynamic design enhances efficiency and speed.

Located in the left propeller arm is a forward-facing LiDAR sensor, which substantially aids obstacle detection during nighttime operations. The Mavic 4 Pro is also fortified with six omnidirectional fisheye sensors, enabling operation even during low-light conditions, as low as 0.1 lux.

Unlike the Mavic 3 Pro, which featured only 8GB of internal memory, the standard Mavic 4 Pro provides 64GB of storage (with 42GB usable), while the Creator Combo version boasts a generous 512GB high-speed storage capacity (460GB usable). Both models come equipped with a microSD card slot for additional storage options.

New Controller

The Mavic 4 Pro comes bundled with the RC2 screen controller initially introduced with the Air 3. However, DJI has also launched the RC2 Pro, a controller with several innovative features. The bright 7-inch HDR display folds up and tilts 90 degrees, allowing for multi-angle views and automatically adjusting the drone’s camera simultaneously for vertical video capture.

The joysticks can now automatically collapse into the body of the controller when the screen is folded back, though they can still be stowed manually if desired. The RC2 Pro is equipped with comprehensive controls for drone flight and camera functions, including a button that facilitates 90-degree camera flips. Additionally, it features HDMI and USB-C ports, along with Wi-Fi 6 support for rapid data transfers.

The newly designed 95Wh batteries are rated for up to 51 minutes of flight time, with typical use delivering around 40 to 45 minutes. This marks a significant improvement over the 30-35 minutes of flight time provided by the Mavic 3 Pro. Furthermore, the charging times have been reduced to just 51 minutes for a single battery via USB-C, or 90 minutes to charge three batteries with the Fly More kit charger.

Performance and Features

In sport mode, the Mavic 4 Pro can achieve speeds of up to 56 mph (90 km/h) without obstacle detection, a considerable increase from the previous 47 mph maximum. In normal mode with tracking and obstacle avoidance activated, the drone can reach a top speed of 40 mph. However, its larger size prevents it from rivaling the agility seen in DJI’s smaller Mini 4 Pro. Furthermore, without prop guards, agility may be hampered in crowded settings, making it less advisable for close-quarters operation.

The noise level of the Mavic 4 Pro remains similar to its predecessor, at 83 dB; however, the frequency is lower, making it less intrusive, especially when flying in close proximity to people.

The new O4+ transmission system enables the Mavic 4 Pro to achieve an impressive video transmission range of up to 18.6 miles (30 km), effectively doubling the range of the Mavic 3 Pro. While most drone operators may not fly that far, real-world use indicated that the Mavic 4 Pro is less prone to interference and dropouts compared to earlier models. Also notable is its capability to support high-quality 10-bit HDR 1080p live video transmission, which enhances backup capture quality and visibility in bright sunlight.

Enhanced Tracking and Low-Light Performance

The ActiveTrack 360 feature allows users to manually adjust camera angles while tracking subjects, ensuring focus remains fixed even if the subject is partially blocked from view. Testing this feature with various subjects, such as a car and mountain biker, demonstrated its efficacy in maintaining a lock on targets moving at relatively high speeds.

During nighttime testing, the Mavic 4 Pro’s LiDAR and low-light sensors made it capable of detecting and avoiding obstacles. This functionality is invaluable when navigating complex environments, especially at night. Additionally, the return-to-home feature now operates without GPS in adequate lighting by memorizing flight paths, enhancing navigational safety.

Video Quality Excellence

The Mavic 4 Pro is equipped with an advanced camera system, providing unparalleled video quality in the consumer drone market. The primary Hasselblad 28mm wide camera features a 100-megapixel 4/3 dual ISO sensor that allows for video capture at 6K 60 fps or 4K 120 fps, along with DJI’s professional D-Log and D-LogM modes for maximizing dynamic range. Additionally, it can capture images up to 100MP, enhancing the detail in photos significantly.

This camera system also allows for variable aperture settings ranging from f/2.0 to f/11, ensuring versatility in varied lighting conditions. The Infinity Gimbal integrates a 70mm medium telephoto lens, capable of shooting in 4K at 60fps while maintaining excellent detail and dynamic range.

The Mavic 4 Pro excels in low-light situations, allowing for nighttime footage without excessive grain, aided by the dual ISO capabilities. For photographers, the camera’s RAW DNG capture makes post-processing efficient, especially under contrasting lighting conditions.

Conclusion

The Mavic 4 Pro clearly illustrates DJI’s continual innovation and commitment to superior product development. It outperforms its predecessor, the Mavic 3 Pro, in nearly every aspect and faces little competition in the consumer drone landscape. The primary rival, Autel’s Evo II Pro 6K, lacks the diverse camera systems found in the Mavic 4 Pro and falls short in endurance and operational range.

However, the unavailability in the U.S. market raises significant concerns among drone enthusiasts and points to potential future restrictions on DJI products. DJI has assured users that their drones do not pose national security risks and that they are open to scrutiny.

The Mavic 4 Pro is available in most regions outside the U.S., starting at approximately $2,360 with the RC2 controller. For those interested in the Fly More kit, which includes additional accessories, the cost is significantly higher. Overall, the Mavic 4 Pro stands as a remarkable drone that offers unmatched capabilities and is a must-consider choice for serious drone enthusiasts.