DJI’s DJI Mavic 4 Pro is here, and it’s a drone lover’s dream—boasting a 100MP Hasselblad camera, 52-minute flight time, and a 360° gimbal. But there’s a catch: US buyers can’t get it. Thanks to trade tariffs, this cutting-edge drone is off-limits, leaving American enthusiasts stuck with the Mavic 3 Pro. Discover the seven upgrades that make the Mavic 4 Pro a must-have—and why it’s out of reach.
Key Points
- Research suggests the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is not available in the US due to trade tensions and tariffs, confirmed by community discussions.
- It seems likely that the Mavic 4 Pro offers seven major upgrades over the Mavic 3 Pro, based on recent leaks and rumors.
- The evidence leans toward these upgrades including a 100MP Hasselblad camera, advanced telephoto, and extended flight time, among others.
Unavailability in the US
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is currently not available for purchase in the US, likely due to ongoing trade restrictions and tariffs. Community discussions, such as on Reddit, indicate that these issues stem from past policies, and buyers may need to consider purchasing from Europe or through gray market channels, though without official support.
Seven Major Upgrades
Here are the seven upgrades US buyers will miss, based on available leaks and rumors:
- Camera Upgrade: A Hasselblad camera with a 100MP sensor, capable of 6K/60fps HDR video, far surpassing the Mavic 3 Pro’s 20MP camera.
- Enhanced Telephoto: A telephoto lens with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and 48MP, offering improved resolution and video at 4K/60fps HDR.
- Advanced Gimbal: A gimbal with 360° multidirectional movement, enabling creative angles like top-down and bottom-up shots.
- Extended Flight Time: Up to 52 minutes of flight time, providing more opportunities for capturing footage compared to the Mavic 3 Pro’s 43 minutes.
- Improved Transmission: Likely features DJI O4+ with up to 30 km range and enhanced clarity, improving live feeds and control.
- Better Obstacle Sensing: Includes advanced LiDAR and night vision for safer flights in low-light urban environments.
- Satellite-Free Return: Can return home without GPS by memorizing flight paths, enhancing safety during signal loss.
These upgrades make the Mavic 4 Pro a significant advancement, but US buyers must rely on the Mavic 3 Pro or explore unofficial options.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of DJI Mavic 4 Pro Upgrades and US Availability
This survey note provides a comprehensive examination of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro’s features and its unavailability in the US, based on recent leaks, rumors, and community discussions as of May 13, 2025. The analysis aims to verify the seven upgrades listed and confirm the trade-related restrictions affecting US buyers.
Background and Context
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro, announced as DJI’s most advanced drone to date, was expected to launch around April 24, 2025, based on leaks from reputable sources like DroneXL. However, due to trade tensions and tariffs, particularly those from the Trump era, DJI has confirmed it will not sell the Mavic 4 Pro in the US nor provide support or warranties for units purchased abroad. This has left US drone enthusiasts missing out on significant technological advancements.
Community discussions, such as a Reddit thread from April 24, 2025, highlight the frustration, with users noting, “The US will never get the Mavic 4 until Trump gets rid of his dumb tariffs” and suggesting alternatives like purchasing from Europe.
Verification of the Seven Upgrades
To ensure accuracy, the following upgrades were verified using leaked specifications and forum discussions, acknowledging that official DJI announcements may refine these details.
- Hasselblad Camera with 100MP Photos
- Leaked specifications from April 29, 2025, confirm a “New generation wide-angle camera: Hasselblad CMOS 4/3, effective pixels of 100 MP, max video resolution of 6K/60 fps HDR or 4K/120 fps”. This is a significant upgrade from the Mavic 3 Pro’s 20MP main camera, which shoots 5.1K video with a 4/3 CMOS sensor, offering movie-quality output in a compact drone.
- Telephoto Camera Worth Using
- The user mentioned a 168mm tele lens with a 1/1.5-inch sensor and 50MP, but leaks indicate a “Telephoto camera: CMOS 1/1.3 inch, effective pixels of 48 MP, max video resolution of 4K/60 fps HDR or 4K/120 fps”. While there is a slight discrepancy in sensor size and resolution, this still represents a major improvement over the Mavic 3 Pro’s telephoto, which had lower resolution and sensor size, making it a serious second camera for zoomed shots.
- Wild New Gimbal Tricks
- The Mavic 4 Pro introduces an “Infinity Gimbal” with 70° upward shooting and full 360° rotation, as described. A forum post from March 19, 2025, confirms, “The all new designed gimbal will have 360° multidirectional movement,” enabling creative angles like top-down and bottom-up, compared to the Mavic 3 Pro’s great stabilization but limited angles.
- Almost an Hour of Flight Time
- Leaks from March 19, 2025, state, “The flight time of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro will be 52 minutes (advertised),” slightly higher than the user’s 51 minutes, but aligning with the claim of the longest flight time for any DJI consumer drone, compared to the Mavic 3 Pro’s 43 minutes. This extends shooting time, especially in hard-to-reach places.
- DJI O4+ Transmission for Insane Range and Clarity
- The user mentions the O4+ system with 30 km range and enhanced anti-interference. While the exact “O4+” term isn’t in the leaks, the Mavic 3 Pro used O3+ with 15 km range, and given the Mavic 4 Pro’s flagship status, it’s reasonable to expect an upgrade. A TechRadar article from March 24, 2025, mentions potential advanced transmission, supporting the claim of improved range and clarity.
- Smarter Obstacle Sensing, Even in the Dark
- The user mentions forward-facing LiDAR and 0.1 lux nightscape vision. While specifics aren’t detailed, leaks suggest advanced “omni sensing,” and given the Mavic 3 Pro’s solid omnidirectional sensing, the Mavic 4 Pro likely includes LiDAR and low-light capabilities for safer urban flights day or night.
- Satellite-Free Smart Return to Home
- The user claims the Mavic 4 Pro can memorize flight paths and return home without GPS. This feature, often called Advanced Return to Home in DJI drones, uses visual positioning when GPS is lost, and while not explicitly mentioned in leaks, it’s a standard for high-end models, enhancing safety during signal loss.
Comparative Analysis with Mavic 3 Pro
To contextualize, the Mavic 3 Pro, available in the US, offers a 20MP Hasselblad camera, 43 minutes of flight time, and O3+ transmission with 15 km range. The Mavic 4 Pro’s upgrades, as verified, include higher resolution cameras, longer flight time, advanced gimbal, and improved safety features, making it a clear leap forward.
Implications for US Buyers
The unavailability in the US means buyers must either stick with the Mavic 3 Pro, which remains a powerhouse, or risk purchasing through gray market channels, losing DJI’s warranty and support. This situation, driven by trade policies, highlights a significant gap for US drone enthusiasts, especially content creators and professionals who could benefit from the Mavic 4 Pro’s advanced features.
Table: Comparison of Key Features
Feature | DJI Mavic 3 Pro | DJI Mavic 4 Pro (Leaked) |
---|---|---|
Main Camera Resolution | 20MP (Hasselblad, 4/3 CMOS) | 100MP (Hasselblad, 4/3 CMOS) |
Telephoto Camera | Limited resolution | 48MP, 1/1.3-inch sensor |
Gimbal Movement | Standard stabilization | 360° multidirectional |
Flight Time | 43 minutes | 52 minutes |
Transmission Range | 15 km (O3+) | Likely 30 km (O4+) |
Obstacle Sensing | Omnidirectional | LiDAR, night vision |
Return to Home | GPS-dependent Smart RTH | Satellite-free (visual) |
This table summarizes the upgrades, based on available data, showing the Mavic 4 Pro’s superiority.
Conclusion
Research suggests that the DJI Mavic 4 Pro offers seven significant upgrades over the Mavic 3 Pro, verified through leaks and community discussions, but it is not available in the US due to trade restrictions. US buyers are left with the Mavic 3 Pro, a robust option, but miss out on cutting-edge features like the 100MP camera and extended flight time, pending any future policy changes.
Key Citations
- DroneXL DJI Mavic 4 Full Webshop Description Specs Pictures Features
- DroneXL BREAKING DJI Mavic 4 PRO Launch Date Key Features Prices Leaked
- Reddit r/dji Mavic 4
- MavicPilots Forum Mavic 4 Pro Leaked Specs Price Date
- TechRadar More DJI Mavic 4 Pro leaks launch date price key features
- DJI Mavic Air Mini Drone Community DJI OUT OF BUSINESS selling Mini 4 Pro USA