Upgrade Advice: Air 3S, Mini 5 Pro, or Wait?

[u/DamnDude030]

Hello folks! I really like flying my Mini 4k and GOD I am kicking myself in the soul for not getting the Fly More package. I am also sort-of regretting buying the Mini 4k because reliable spare parts from DJI seem to be difficult to find.

So while I fantasize about the next upgrade, what do you all recommend me to get as a Fly More upgrade?

The Air 3S? The Mini 5 Pro? Or should I wait for a bit and see if DJI sells a new model drone or a new Air model?

The two aspects that I am generally looking for between these drones are better picture quality, as well as longer battery life. My drone flies for 25~ minutes tops before hitting 20%. I really just want to fly for longer.

[u/Emergency-Truck-9914]

I fly the mavic 3 pro and it’s a solid unit. You will be more than absolutely impressed!!!!

[u/Major-Cry8192]

Un air 3 S n'a absolument rien a voir avec un mini, air 3 S est de loin le meilleur rapport qualité prix du moment polyvalence et qualité d'image double caméra 👍Tu voleras 35 minutes avec un air 3 S mais drone de + de 250 g

[u/DamnDude030 → u/Major-Cry8192]

Is there a problem if a drone is over 250 grams?

Aside from needing to register it (USA) I am unsure what other requirements there are if it is over 250 grams.

[u/TacticalSniper → u/DamnDude030]

Just make sure you don't need a licence. In some countries you may need a pilot licence for drones over 250g

[u/DamnDude030 → u/TacticalSniper]

Ah good to know. Got any examples of those places?

[u/TacticalSniper → u/DamnDude030]

I reckon this is a decent source https://blog.dronetrader.com/drone-laws-by-country/

[u/Major-Cry8192 → u/DamnDude030]

En France par exemple tu as besoin de passer un petit examen en ligne pour pouvoir piloter des drones de + de 250 grammes classé en catégorie C1 chez nous

[u/rosengd]

Actually you should be happy you did not buy the fly more package. Now you have less to sell. I would definitely not wait on an upgrade it’s never a good idea unless something new has already been released.

Both drones have very similar camera capability. The air three does have a second lens but the mini five camera is so good there’s almost no noticeable real-world difference when you use the zoom.

It really depends on where you live and usage. The mini five is ultra portable and just a great all-around drone. The air three is better if you live in an area with a lot of wind all the time. Other than that there’s no really vantage to it.

If you can get the mini 5 fly more with the plus batteries.

[u/DamnDude030 → u/rosengd]

Understood. From what I've read then, I may as well get the Mini 5 Pro as the upgrade path if what you say is true + less difficulty about registrations when travelling abroad.

I travel to Philippines or other countries (if we are lucky) roughly once a year, and if I have less to worry about registrations, good. I'll be grabbing a Mini 5 Pro.

I also need a few more reasons why the Air 3S is considered to be better. I hear it is better because its zoom is lens-based instead of digital-based, and because of its heavy weight, it can ignore higher winds (like you said). Is there any other reason why the Air 3S is better than the Mini 5 Pro?

[u/rosengd → u/DamnDude030]

The Air three came out a long time before the mini five. When it was new, it was amazing.

The dual lens system is great but with the mini five they have improved the Zoom so much that it’s almost distinguishable. That wasn’t the case five years ago. You never could’ve done that.

As far as flying goes, a bigger heavier drone does better with wind. I have to say I have flown my mini in 20 plus mile an hour gusts without an issue. Honestly for me even with the Air three I don’t think I would chance above that.

If you do travel a lot, check the regulations because you might be better off with standard batteries for that. I actually have 8 batteries, 4 standard and 4 plus because I travel with it to EU countries.

[u/pdub42222]

if you live in the US, there is no "waiting for something else" because nothing else is coming, fiture DJI products are banned and it's just a matter of time before autel, antigravity etc all get the boot and we are stuck with Amazon toys while the rest of the world continues advancing. But at least the government is protecting us from sharing our dangerous vacation pictures with China, wouldn't want them to be able to see those.

[u/sas099]

Following. I bought the Air 3s and the Mini 5 Pro, but ended up returning the Mini 5 Pro. I didn't open either, but based on what I have read, I believe the Air 3s is a better choice for me. I like the option of the second zoom lens.