DJI Mini 4 Pro vs. DJI Air 3S: Which Should You Buy?

These two drones solve different problems. The Mini 4 Pro is built around one number: DJI rates it at under 249g with the standard battery, keeping it under the 250g threshold that triggers stricter registration in the US, UK, and much of the EU. The higher-capacity Battery Plus pushes it over 249g, removing that benefit.

Image quality: the Air 3S's whole case

Its wide camera uses a 1-inch CMOS sensor — physically larger than the Mini 4 Pro's 1/1.3-inch, meaning meaningfully better low-light performance and dynamic range (DJI rates it at up to 14 stops) — paired with a second 1/1.3-inch 48MP tele camera for genuine 3x optical reach the Mini 4 Pro doesn't have at all.

Flight time is close on paper

Mini 4 Pro: 34 min standard / 45 min with Battery Plus. Air 3S: 45 min max, but that's a best-case hover figure — real-world flying typically runs shorter for both.

Obstacle avoidance favors the Air 3S

It's the first consumer DJI drone with forward-facing LiDAR in addition to omnidirectional vision — helps specifically in low light and against featureless obstacles, a known weak spot for vision-only systems.

Price

Mini 4 Pro starts at $759; Air 3S starts at $1,099. The gap buys sensor size, a second lens, and LiDAR.

Who should buy which

First-time buyers and travelers prioritizing sub-250g registration exemption: Mini 4 Pro. Anyone shooting for clients, low-light or golden-hour shooters, anyone wanting real optical zoom: Air 3S.