DJI reveals likely launch date for Air 3S drone – and it could be more exciting than we thought

Promising tracking accessory further unmasked in leaks

News By Mark Wilson published 10 October 2024

DJI appears to have all-but confirmed the launch date for the leaked Air 3S drone in a teaser for an event on October 15. And new leaks suggest the mid-range flying camera could be more interesting than originally expected.

The date and times for your gadget diary, according to DJI's social media teaser, are October 15 at 9am ET / 2pm BST, or 12am on October 16 in you're in Australia. That's when DJI's 'Chase the View' event will kick off – and while there are no explicit mentions of drones in the teaser, it does show a camera sensor and aerial view of the northern lights.

We've also seen leaks on an almost daily basis for the DJI Air 3S in recent weeks, including an unboxing video, so the drone is almost certain to land on that date. What's been slightly less expected is that the Air 3S, despite being a smaller 'S' update rather than an Air 4, appears to be more than a minor upgrade.

According to the leak, the RC Track accessory will track "moving subjects, such as vehicles and cyclists". It'll also seemingly let you do a lot of things – including takeoff, switching camera angles, setting 'Return to Home' for a predefined location, and landing – that typically need a larger, clunkier controller. Handily, it'll also apparently support voice controls.

There could be good news for existing DJI owners too – Ellens claims that, alongside being able to track objects at speeds of over 50km/h, the RC Track accessory will "likely also work with your Mini 4 Pro in the future". On the downside, it may not work with the smaller DJI Neo, though, as it could require omnidirectional sensors for return-to-home functions.

Should you wait for the Mavic 4?

As always with DJI, there's usually another new drone around the corner – and while specifics about a possible DJI Mavic 4 are thin on the ground, there were some leaks in September that suggest that drone could be coming later this year (and perhaps more likely) in early 2025.

While the Air series is DJI's mid-range offering, the Mavics are its flagship for pro photographers and videographers – which typically means more powerful cameras with larger Four Thirds sensors (and higher price tags).

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors