In the event you’re available in the market for a travel-friendly drone that is a bit extra inexpensive than the DJI Mini 3 Professional, you may quickly be in luck – a brand new sub-250g mannequin known as the DJI Mini 2 SE has simply leaked.
Pictures of the incoming drone, which is able to possible succeed DJI’s present entry-level Mini SE, have simply shared on Twitter by the dependable @DealsDrone (opens in new tab) and @JasperEllens (opens in new tab). The photographs present an virtually an identical drone to the Mini SE, bar one essential addition – compatibility with the newer DJI RC-N1 controller.
The latter is necessary as a result of it helps OcuSync 2.0 transmission, which is vastly superior to the Mini SE’s present ‘Enhanced Wi-Fi’ connectivity. In accordance with a leaked picture of the drone’s field (beneath), this can give the DJI Mini 2 SE a a lot greater vary of 10km (quite than 4km) within the US.
Primarily based on the present DJI Mini 2, this vary will likely be extra like 6km in areas exterior the US, although that is nonetheless greater than sufficient inside present drone flying laws. Ocusync 2.0 connectivity must also present a extra secure, dependable sign between the Mini 2 SE and your controller.
Hiding in plain sight. Once more the rumors had been true and the #mini2se will turn out to be DJI’s new entrance stage drone.@DronefriendlyB @DroneXL1 @DroneDJ @IshveenaSingh @TheDroneGeekPA @techdronemedia @DronewatchNL pic.twitter.com/gDehaSNnlUFebruary 6, 2023
This connectivity and compatibility with the newer RC-N1 controller look like the one actual variations from the present Mini SE. Regardless of the Mini 2 SE’s title, it appears to be like extra like a tweaked model of the Mini SE than the Mini 2, with its digital camera topping out at 2.7K video decision (quite than 4K on the Mini 2).
On the plus facet, this implies its price ticket may very well be near that of the present Mini SE, which is accessible for $299 / £269 / AU$459. If the Mini 2 SE has an analogous tag, it might effectively prime our information to the the finest newbie drones. A leaked occasion poster (opens in new tab) suggests we might see the drone introduced on February 9.
Evaluation: A small improve, however a excessive flier for rookies
Previously couple of years, we have seen the arrival of a number of spectacular rivals to DJI’s drones, largely notably from Autel and Skydio. However the competitors for DJI’s entry-level Mini drones is not fairly as scorching – and the leaked Mini 2 SE will possible be the best choice round for newbie fliers.
The present Mini SE landed in mid-2021 as a extra inexpensive model of the DJI Mini 2 and stays DJI’s most cost-effective ever drone. Regardless of the arrival of the DJI Mini 3 Professional and DJI Mini 3, the DJI Mini. 2 has by no means formally dropped in worth – and that is possible as a result of DJI is planning to maintain its Mini SE line going beneath it.
As you possibly can see within the desk beneath, DJI’s Mini collection aren’t precisely low-cost – so the arrival of the Mini 2 SE definitely is sensible.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | DJI Mini 3 | DJI Mini 3 Professional | DJI Mini 2 |
| Drone solely | $469 / £439 / AU$699 | $669 / £639 / AU$989 | N/A |
| With DJI RC-N1 controller | $559 / £519 / AU$829 | $759 / £709 / AU$1,119 | $449 / £419 / AU$749 |
| With DJI RC controller | $699 / £669 / AU$1,019 | $909 / £859 / AU$1,299 | N/A |
Whereas extra superior DJI pilots will likely be pining for a DJI Air 3, which can also be anticipated to land later this 12 months with an improved 1-inch sensor, the Mini 2 SE is sensible as an inexpensive possibility for many who do not want 4K video capturing or superior impediment detection.
In accordance with the leaked specs to date, the 249g Mini 2 SE may have 31-minute flight time, 2.7 Okay video capturing and a 10km vary, with video transmission in 1080p quite than 720p. That’d all be greater than sufficient for a newbie flier in search of their first drone, notably if it does have an analogous price ticket to the present Mini SE.
With a leaked occasion poster suggesting the Mini 2 SE will likely be introduced on February 9, we would not have to attend lengthy to search out out.