Introduction

The drone market has seen rapid advancements in recent years, and DJI continues to lead the pack with its innovative designs. Released in January 2025, the DJI Air 3S builds upon the success of its predecessor, offering a compelling mix of portability, advanced features, and exceptional image quality. This review will delve into the key features, performance, and overall value proposition of the DJI Air 3S.

Body

The DJI Air 3S maintains the compact, foldable design that made the Air series popular among travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, it now boasts a slightly larger frame to accommodate its upgraded camera system and enhanced battery life. The drone weighs in at 570g, still falling under the 250g weight limit in many regions that require registration for heavier drones.

At the heart of the Air 3S is its impressive camera system. DJI has equipped this model with a 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 48MP stills and recording video at up to 5.7K/60fps or 4K/120fps. The larger sensor size results in improved low-light performance and better dynamic range compared to its predecessor. Additionally, the Air 3S features a secondary 1/2-inch sensor with a 70mm equivalent focal length, allowing for 3x optical zoom capabilities without sacrificing image quality.

One of the standout features of the Air 3S is its advanced obstacle avoidance system. Building on DJI’s previous APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance System) technology, the Air 3S incorporates a new front-facing LiDAR sensor. This addition significantly enhances the drone’s ability to detect and avoid obstacles, even in low-light conditions. The improved obstacle avoidance, coupled with DJI’s reliable Return-to-Home feature, makes the Air 3S one of the safest consumer drones on the market.

Flight performance has also seen notable improvements. The Air 3S boasts a maximum flight time of 35 minutes, a 5-minute increase over its predecessor. This extended flight time allows for longer shooting sessions and more flexibility in capturing the perfect shot. The drone’s top speed remains unchanged at 68.4 km/h (42.5 mph) in Sport mode, but DJI has improved the wind resistance, allowing the Air 3S to maintain stability in winds up to 12 m/s.

The controller for the Air 3S has been redesigned with ergonomics in mind. It now features a built-in 5.5-inch high-brightness display, eliminating the need for a separate smartphone. The controller offers a transmission range of up to 15 km, utilizing DJI’s latest OcuSync 4.0 technology for a stable, low-latency video feed.

On the software side, DJI has introduced several new intelligent flight modes. The “MasterShots” feature has been expanded to include more cinematic presets, while a new “Hyperlapse Pro” mode allows for the creation of stunning time-lapse videos with precise control over movement and interval settings. The popular ActiveTrack feature has also been improved, now able to track subjects more reliably, even when temporarily obscured from view.

Conclusion

The DJI Air 3S represents a significant step forward in the consumer drone market. Its combination of portability, advanced camera capabilities, and intelligent features make it an attractive option for both amateur and professional aerial photographers and videographers. While the price point is higher than its predecessor, the improvements in image quality, safety features, and overall performance justify the investment for those seeking a versatile and capable drone. The Air 3S sets a new standard for what users can expect from a compact, folding drone and cements DJI’s position at the forefront of consumer drone technology.