DJI Air
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer electronics, Drones |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Frank Wang |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen , China |
| Products | Drones, aerial photography systems |
| Website | www |
The DJI Air, initially introduced as the DJI Mavic Air, represents a lineup of compact teleoperated quadcopter drones tailored for both personal and professional aerial photography and videography. This series was launched by the Chinese tech company DJI as a more portable alternative to the DJI Mavic. A licensed variant, known as the Specta Air, is manufactured in Malaysia by Cogito Tech.
Design and development
Unveiled in January 2018, the Mavic Air is a foldable quadcopter featuring arms and propellers that collapse neatly against its body, resulting in a device that is half the size of the Mavic Pro and 41% lighter, weighing . It is equipped with a 1/2.3" CMOS camera paired with a 24 mm lens mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, capable of recording 4K video at 30 FPS and 1080p footage at 120FPS. The camera supports a panorama function that merges 25 images into a "Sphere Panorama". Additionally, the drone offers SmartCapture hand gesture control, a three-directional obstacle avoidance system utilizing seven sensors, and a 2375 mAh battery that allows for up to 21 minutes of flight duration. Its antennas are integrated into the landing gear, providing a maximum operational range of 2.5 miles.
Mavic Air 2 series
Released on 27 April 2020, the Mavic Air 2 introduced a redesigned chassis reminiscent of the Mavic 2 Pro. It boasts a 1/2" CMOS sensor capable of capturing raw images, producing 48-megapixel photographs, HDR video, and Hyperlapse slow-motion at 240FPS. The battery capacity was expanded to 3500 mAh, extending flight time up to 34 minutes. The original Wi-Fi communication system was upgraded to OcuSync 2.0, which operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies to minimize interference and increase range up to 10 kilometers. The drone incorporates APAS 3.0 obstacle avoidance with sensors positioned at the front, rear, and bottom. Certain models also included an ADS-B feature for detecting nearby aircraft; however, availability was constrained due to supply chain disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 15 April 2021, DJI introduced the Air 2S, dropping the Mavic branding. This model features an enhanced 1" CMOS sensor delivering 20MP JPEG and RAW photos alongside video capabilities of up to 10-bit 5.4K at 30 FPS and 4K at 60 FPS. Flight time slightly decreased to approximately 31 minutes, while transmission technology advanced to O3, supporting up to 1080p video streaming within a range of 12 km. New camera functionalities include SmartPhoto, Hyperlapse, and MasterShots to expand creative possibilities. The Air 2S is equipped with APAS 4.0 featuring sensors on all sides and an ADS-B system for improved obstacle detection and safety alerts.
Air 3 series
Launched in July 2023, the Air 3 brought several enhancements such as a design inspired by the Mavic 3 Pro and incorporation of a dual-camera setup comprising wide-angle and telephoto lenses. Both cameras utilize a 48 MP 1/1.3" CMOS stacked sensor; the telephoto lens offers a threefold zoom capability. With a weight increase to 720 g from the Air 2S’s 595 g—primarily due to its larger 4241 mAh battery—the drone achieves up to 46 minutes of flight time. The video transmission system was upgraded to O4 technology supporting streaming at up to 1080p resolution over extended distances. Although louder than its predecessor, its larger propellers generate lower-frequency sounds that are less sharp.
In October 2024, DJI released the Air 3S model featuring a new 50MP wide-angle camera with a larger 1" CMOS sensor. This version saw modest increases in weight and battery capacity to 724 g and 4276 mAh respectively, while flight duration decreased slightly to approximately 45 minutes.
Licensed Edition
The Hong Kong-based company Cogito Tech manufactures an authorized version of the Air 3, named the Specta Air.[1][2] While Cogito denies any affiliation with DJI, The Hill has reported that both the Specta Air and Specta Mini (which is based on the DJI Mini 2 SE) closely emulate DJI's models in terms of performance and software features, likely incorporating DJI's proprietary OcuSync transmission technology.[3]
Variants
- Mavic Air
- Referred to internally as Model U11X. This initial version features flush-folding arms and propellers, equipped with a 12MP 1/2.3" CMOS camera, Wi-Fi for data transmission, and a 2375 mAh battery enabling up to 21 minutes of flight. It was launched in January 2018.
- Mavic Air 2
- Known as Model MA2UE1N by the manufacturer. This iteration was redesigned with over/under folding arms, resembling the Mavic 2 Pro. It includes a 48MP 1/2" CMOS sensor camera, OcuSync 2.0 transmission system, APAS 3.0 for obstacle avoidance, and a larger 3500 mAh battery allowing for 34 minutes of flight time. Released in April 2020. Although ADS-B functionality was intended as a standard feature, its implementation was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Air 2S
- Identified as Model DA2SUE1. This is an upgraded version of the Mavic Air 2, featuring a 20MP 1" CMOS sensor camera, O3 transmission technology, APAS 4.0 obstacle avoidance, standard ADS-B support, and a flight duration of approximately 31 minutes. It became available in April 2021.
- Air 3
- Designated as Model EB3WBC. This model was redesigned to resemble the Mavic 3 Pro and includes dual cameras—a pair of 48 MP 1/1.3" CMOS sensors with wide-angle and telephoto lenses—alongside O4 transmission technology and a robust 4241 mAh battery delivering up to 46 minutes of flight time. Released in July 2023.
- Air 3S
- Company code Model CZ3SCL. This enhanced version of the Air 3 incorporates a 50MP 1" CMOS wide-angle camera and is powered by a slightly larger 4276 mAh battery providing around 45 minutes of flight endurance. Introduced in October 2024.
- Specta Air
- Also called Specta, internally known as Model TQFDUB2. This is a licensed adaptation of the Air 3 produced in Malaysia by Cogito Tech.