Fresh images shared by reliable Drone Industry insider Jasper Ellens offer the clearest look yet at what appears to be the upcoming DJI Mavic 4 Pro, revealing several notable design changes from its predecessor. The photos show the unreleased drone alongside the DJI Air 3S in a sophisticated camera testing setup, providing valuable insights into DJI’s next flagship consumer drone.
Design Evolution and Thermal Management
The most striking feature of the alleged Mavic 4 Pro is its redesigned camera system, sporting a distinctive three-lens configuration housed in what appears to be a more substantial gimbal assembly compared to the Mavic 3 Pro. This setup likely incorporates the previously rumored 24mm, 70mm (or potentially 50mm), and 166mm equivalent focal lengths.
A significant addition to the design is a prominent heat sink positioned at the rear of the aircraft, suggesting DJI has prioritized thermal management for what is expected to be a more powerful imaging system. This focus on cooling aligns with the drone’s rumored capability to process high-resolution 100MP photos and advanced video formats.
Looking closely at the camera and gimbal setup, it appears that the camera on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro will be able to look straight down and up for more creative aerial images and footage.
Streamlined Aerodynamics and Safety Features
The test unit reveals more streamlined arms compared to the Mavic 3 Pro while maintaining the familiar folding mechanism characteristic of the Mavic series. Two fish-eye obstacle avoidance sensors are visible, along with an LED beacon mounted on top of the aircraft, indicating DJI’s continued emphasis on safety and regulatory compliance.
Interestingly, the test unit appears to lack the LiDAR sensing system found on the DJI Air 3S’s front section.
Professional Testing Environment
The leaked images show the drone’s camera system being evaluated alongside a DJI Air 3Sm, a Xiaomi smartphone and what appears to be a full-frame mirrorless camera. This professional testing setup, complete with precision alignment tools and light-controlling hood, indicates DJI is in the late stages of image quality optimization.
Market Implications
These latest revelations about the Mavic 4 Pro suggest DJI is pushing to further differentiate its professional consumer drone lineup. The enhanced cooling system and triple-camera array point to a device capable of more demanding imaging tasks, while the streamlined design maintains the portability that has made the Mavic series popular among professionals.
The apparent removal of the LiDAR system, if confirmed in the production model, could indicate a strategic decision to optimize the drone for specific professional use cases rather than attempting to include every possible feature. This approach could help manage the drone’s weight, which has implications for both flight time and regulatory compliance, particularly in markets like the European Union where drone weight categories affect operational requirements.
Industry Context
The timing of these test photos aligns with previous reports suggesting an April 2025 release date for the Mavic 4 Pro. The sophisticated nature of the testing setup and the presence of comparison cameras indicate DJI is conducting detailed image quality evaluations, a crucial step before finalizing the product for market release.
These developments come as the consumer drone market continues to mature, with professionals demanding increasingly sophisticated imaging capabilities in portable platforms. The Mavic 4 Pro’s apparent focus on enhanced thermal management and advanced camera capabilities suggests DJI is responding directly to these evolving requirements while maintaining the practical considerations that have made the Mavic series successful.
Discover more from DroneXL.co
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
