It looks like DJI is gearing up to release a new entry-level aerial drone soon. Rather than a successor to the Mini 2 that was released last year, leaks recently shared on Twitter and Reddit revealed it to be a repackaging of the brand’s original Mavic Mini instead.
The leaks featured in-store photos from Walmart featuring the pre-order card of the new drone, which is known as the “Mini SE”. But even more interestingly, the unannounced DJI product itself is already listed on the US-based hypermarket’s website – with some customers also claiming to have received their units in the product page’s comment section. It is now apparently listed as “sold out”.
Back to the DJI Mini SE. The Walmart pre-order card detailed the drone’s specifications to match the original Mavic Mini to a key, with the only difference being the included contents in its packaging. It is stated that the new drone has a 30-minute flight time, and comes with a maximum range of 2.5 miles (4km). The latter is notably less than what the Mini 2 is capable of, therefore suggesting that DJI may have excluded its Ocusync tech for this model. Instead, it is listed that the drone features “HD low-latency video transmission.” for its connectivity.
The end of mass production for Mavic 2 is near, according to some local resellers.
— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) June 1, 2021
Imaging-wise, those hoping for a more affordable same-brand alternative to Mini 2 will be left disappointed with what the SE has to offer. Much like the original Mavic Mini, it is capable of capturing images at 12MP and recording videos of up to 2.7K resolution. Further enhancing its photography and video capabilities is a 3-axis gimbal mount for its primary camera.
Other details written on the card reveal the usual safety features such as GPS and a downward vision-sensing system, as well as highlighting the numerous imaging features found on the brand’s DJI Fly App. The “new” Mini SE is also listed to weigh below 250g.
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As mentioned earlier, the more significant difference between the Mavic Mini release and this particular model is the content of its packaging. Unlike the original, the DJI Mini SE appears to be offered as a single complete package which includes a screwdriver, spare control sticks, propellers and screws, gimbal/camera cover, a variety of cables, and a remote controller. It’s worth noting that the latter was not included in the standard Mavic Mini package and is required to be purchased separately.
— Güçlü Atamer (@GAtamer) June 11, 2021
Perhaps the biggest kicker of all is the drone’s price which, again, was revealed by Walmart ahead of DJI’s potential announcement. If you don’t mind missing out on the longer range or the higher camera resolution offered by the Mini 2, then you may want to consider this US$299 (~RM 1,278) drone.
Although, seeing that the drone is listed on Walmart, it is also possible that the DJI Mini SE is only exclusive to the US hyperstore chain. We certainly hope this isn’t the case when DJI officially announces it eventually.
(Source: Walmart via OsitaLV [1] [2] / Reddit / DroneDJ | Header image: OsitaLV)
