DJI's Mini SE drone, which first appeared on Walmart's website and store shelves last month, was touted as the Chinese manufacturer's most affordable drone to date with a $299 price tag.
While details available at the time revealed it was packed with the same features as the original Mavic Mini, one question remained: would it use the same remote controller as the original or the newer and much-improved version that powers the Mini 2?
According to specs first published on DJI's Brasil website, followed by DJI's Singaporean and Hong Kong websites, the original Mavic Mini remote controller will come with the Mini SE. The Mini SE will have the same shell as the Mini 2, which will afford it slightly higher wind resistance. In a statement released by DJI, they reveal the Mini SE will not be available for sale in the United States or Europe – for the time being.
Mini SE has come online, but only in some country/region in southeast Asia, South America and Pacific.
— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) June 30, 2021
'The DJI Mini SE is a specialized product tailored for entry-level drone pilots in markets where consumer drone use is emerging. It uses the internal components of the Mavic Mini in the shell of the Mini 2, which generates slightly higher wind resistance but provides much of the performance of the original Mavic Mini at a very attractive price,' says DJI in an official statement.
'There are currently no plans to sell this product in the US or Europe (apart from Russia). DJI Mini 2 remains our flagship entry-level drone, with its superior 4K/30fps resolution and up to 10km image transmission (subject to local rules and regulations)'.
DJI Fly's latest update includes support for the Mini SE.
The Mini SE boasts the same main features as the original Mavic Mini including 12MP photos, up to 2. 7K/30p video, 4 km (2. 5 miles) Wi-Fi transmission, 30 minutes maximum flight time, and a sub-250g weight. The DJI Fly app, which also powers other consumer drones including the Mavic Air 2 and Air 2S recently received an update to version 1. 4. 8 includes support for the Mini SE.
Drones Kaki via (DroneDJ) published a photo of the Mini SE Fly More combo.
While it makes sense for DJI to release a more affordable version of a popular consumer drone in emerging markets, the fact that it was ever outside of Southeast Asia or South America is perplexing given it was spotted on Walmart shelves in the United States. However, with retailers such as B&H Photo selling quality refurbished products and Amazon holding Prime Day events amongst other special deals, an affordable drone in the Mini series isn't exactly unfathomable.
. dpreview.com2021-7-3 16:47
