Upcoming DJI Drones for 2026–2027: Neo 3, Air 4, Avata 3

As the end of the year approaches—a time when DJI traditionally refreshes part of its consumer lineup—clues are piling up about the Shenzhen-based manufacturer’s upcoming drones. Product boxes photographed at Asian retailers, entries in the Chinese civil aviation registry, radio certificates with cryptic references, and prototypes caught on video during testing: the evidence regarding DJI’s future drones has never been more extensive—nor more difficult to untangle. For while the release of one model—such as the DJI Neo 3—now appears imminent, several others are still based solely on projections derived from the brand’s typical product refresh cycle, if not on videos that shamelessly recycle the same unverifiable rumors.

The fall 2026 lineup has already unveiled its first new product. On October 14, DJI Enterprise officially announced the Dock 4 and the accompanying Matrice 5TD—the brand’s very first docking station capable of automatically replacing the device’s battery. On the consumer side, however, DJI has not yet confirmed anything, and it is precisely this silence that is fueling speculation about the Neo 3, the highly anticipated Air 4, a possible Avata 3, or even a hypothetical Mini 6 Pro.

In this feature, the editorial team at Reparation-drone.com provides an overview, model by model, of everything we know about DJI’s upcoming releases as of October 19, 2026. We’ve chosen to systematically distinguish between official announcements, leaks documented by a registry or packaging, and mere speculation, because this distinction directly influences the decision to buy now or wait. We’ll also revisit the regulatory context, which is having a greater impact than ever on DJI’s launch strategy, as well as what these new products will mean in practical terms for maintenance and repair.

What will the DJI product lineup look like in the fall of 2026?

To gauge what we can reasonably expect in the coming months, we must first recall just how much DJI has revamped its product lineup over the past eighteen months. The year 2025 kicked off in January with the DJI Flip, a compact, foldable drone with protected propellers, followed in May by the Mavic 4 Pro, the brand’s new flagship model featuring a 100-megapixel Hasselblad main camera in the Four Thirds format, 6K video at 60 frames per second, and a fully rotating gimbal. The Mini 5 Pro followed in September 2025 with a 1-inch 50-megapixel sensor and a front-facing LiDAR, then the Neo 2, launched in China on October 30 and in Europe on November 13, 2025, starting at 239 euros, finally equipped the small selfie drone with omnidirectional obstacle detection. Only the Air series has remained unchanged since the Air 3S in October 2024—a detail that takes on full significance for what’s to come.

The year 2026 then confirmed DJI’s appetite for new applications. Unveiled on March 26, the’Avata 360 is the brand’s first drone to combine immersive flight and 360-degree capture, featuring 1-inch-equivalent sensors that record 8K video at 60 frames per second in HDR, 120-megapixel photos, O4+ transmission, and user-replaceable lenses—all starting at 459 euros for the drone alone. Less than a month later, on April 23, DJI launched an entirely new lineup with the Lito 1 and Lito X1, two drones weighing less than 250 grams designed for beginners and priced starting at 339 and 419 euros, respectively. The Lito X1, which we thoroughly tested, stands out with its 1/1.3-inch sensor, its front-facing LiDAR, and 42 GB of internal storage, while the Lito 1 makes do with a 1/2-inch 48-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, as we explain in our Lito X1 vs. Lito 1 Comparison.

Since then, however, no new consumer drones have been added to the lineup. DJI has certainly made numerous announcements regarding its other product lines—from the Osmo Pocket 4 in April to the Osmo 360 II unveiled at IFA in Berlin in early September—but the consumer drone segment has been on hold for nearly six months. It is precisely this lull that makes the Neo 3 and the Air 4 so eagerly anticipated—and explains the excitement with which every leak is now being discussed.

This renewal is finally accompanied by a symbolic farewell. DJI has announced that it will end after-sales support for the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 on October 31, 2026: after that date, the company will no longer handle inquiries, provide technical support, or perform maintenance for this model—launched in May 2018—or its accessories. The Phantom, with its one-inch sensor and mechanical shutter—still highly valued for photogrammetry—remains repairable, and our workshop continues to offer Spare parts for the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 For pilots who want to extend the life of their aircraft.

Upcoming DJI Drones, Model by Model

DJI Neo 3: The Next Consumer Launch

Of all the unannounced DJI drones, the Neo 3 is undoubtedly the one closest to launch, and this conclusion is supported by several independent clues. A sales box bearing a «Not for sale» sticker—typical of pre-production units provided to distributors—was photographed in mid-September. The Chinese civil drone registry, maintained by DJI itself, subsequently listed the device under the model number DEN326, with a production date of September 21, 2026, and a weight of 192.7 grams. In early October, leaker Igor Bogdanov published a marketing sheet, while Jasper Ellens shared an unboxing video followed by a first flight video shot by an owner in Indonesia—a country where small DJI drones often make an early appearance.

The camera is the most notable improvement. According to the leaked spec sheet, the Neo 3 features a 1/1.1-inch square sensor—the same format as the Osmo Action 6—which allows for full-definition vertical shooting without rotating the camera, as well as a 2x lossless zoom. This is a significant leap forward compared to the Neo 2’s 1/2-inch, 12-megapixel sensor and should result in a marked improvement in low-light performance and dynamic range—provided the image processing keeps up. However, no documentation specifies the resolution or video bitrate: the claim of 4K at 30 frames per second in portrait mode and a range of 10 kilometers in O4 mode—reported by some specialized accounts—is not currently backed by any verifiable source.

This move upmarket comes at a cost in terms of weight. At 192.7 grams, the Neo 3 weighs about 28 % more than a Neo 2 (151 grams without the module, 160 grams with its clip-on transmission module), while still remaining well below the 250-gram threshold. The absence of this module from the box contents suggests that the radio is now integrated into the airframe. The propellers are fully enclosed in spoked cages molded into the arms, and replacing them requires removing a screw-fastened part, which is why a screwdriver is included in the package. Finally, the product description promises omnidirectional obstacle detection, which is confirmed by the sensors visible on the arms, above the camera, and at the rear of the drone, facing upward.

The power system is also getting an upgrade. The battery label indicates 1,800 mAh, 10.5 volts, and 18.9 Wh—that is, three cells in series—whereas the Neo 2’s battery pack uses only two cells for 11.5 Wh. The connector has gone from five to seven pins, making the two batteries completely incompatible. The Fly More Pack shown in the videos includes three batteries, a charging hub, spare propellers, and the new DJI RC Mini remote controller, featuring a small screen that allows you to pair the drone and view the video feed without a smartphone, as well as a hidden scroll wheel on its side. Battery life, however, is not mentioned in any documentation.

That leaves the question of the release date and price. DJI hasn’t made any announcements, but the production date and the timeline of the leaks suggest an official launch between late October and November 2026, perhaps first in China, as was the case with the Neo 2 last year. A post on Reddit mentioning a launch on November 3 and a price of around 669 euros for the drone alone is currently circulating, but it is not backed by any verifiable evidence, and we view it with the utmost skepticism. The most reasonable estimates suggest a moderate price increase compared to the Neo 2’s 239 euros, ranging from around 270 to 300 euros for the drone alone and from 450 to 500 euros with the RC Mini. Important note: While the RC Mini received its FCC approval on December 19, 2025, the drone itself has not, meaning the Neo 3 will not be officially sold in the United States—though this has no impact on French buyers.

DJI Air 4: A successor to the Air 3S is still eagerly awaited

With nearly two years having passed since the release of the Air 3S in October 2024, anticipation surrounding the Air 4 far exceeds the usual release cycle for the lineup—the Air 3S itself arrived just fifteen months after the Air 3. Back in August, we published an Complete review of the DJI Air 4, and the weeks that have passed since then call for an update, as well as a significant correction to one of the regulatory indices.

There is still very little concrete evidence. Several images of prototypes have circulated since 2025, including photographs purported to be of a crashed aircraft, showing a redesigned chassis, thicker arms, and additional sensors. Most notably, on May 11, 2026, Igor Bogdanov spotted the Air 4 in a Chinese flight reporting app, classified in the category of drones weighing less than 250 grams. The Chinese radio certification from July—widely presented at the time as that of the Air 4, including in our previous article—actually pertains, according to subsequent verifications published notably by the Drone Ranker website, to a model coded N610BS, whose connection to the Air 4 has never been established. Since September, no packaging, no retailer listing, and no teaser have emerged to add to the story.

From a technical standpoint, two incompatible scenarios are vying for the spotlight. The first, consistent with the category listed in the flight app, describes an Air weighing less than 250 grams equipped with a single 1/1.3-inch sensor and O4+ transmission. The second scenario describes a heavier drone, weighing under 500 grams, equipped with two 1-inch sensors and an O5 transmission. Neither of these two versions cites a named source, and a frame weighing less than 250 grams could hardly accommodate two 1-inch sensors, so only one of the two is likely to be correct—unless DJI is preparing two distinct models, a hypothesis that some are putting forward. Both reports, however, agree on a flight time of about 40 minutes and more effective omnidirectional obstacle detection, particularly in low-light conditions.

An Air weighing less than 250 grams would have clear regulatory benefits in Europe, since it would move from Class C1—the class of the Air 3S, which weighs 724 grams—to Class C0, but it would require compromises in battery life and wind stability that will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In our view, the absence of any packaging leaks now makes a launch before the end of the year unlikely, and early 2027 seems to us to be the most realistic timeframe. The price estimates currently circulating—ranging from $800 to over $1,200 depending on the configuration—should be taken with a grain of salt. For those who need a drone in this category right now, the’Air 3S remains a safe bet.

N610BS: The Mysterious Model Number That Has Everyone Wondering

In early July 2026, two unknown models, N610BS and N610BS-BD, received radio certification from Chinese authorities, with the latter bearing the number 2026-7820. Their prefixes do not correspond to any of DJI’s current product families, whose internal codes typically begin with M for the Matrix series, CZ for the Air series, MT for the Mini series, DF for the Neo series, QF for the Avata series, or DG for the Lito series, and the application appears to have been processed using a procedure more similar to that for high-end or professional models than for consumer drones. Speculation ranges from a new semi-professional tier positioned above the Air series to an enterprise-grade device, or even a companion model to the Air 4. Three months after this certification, no further clues have surfaced, so it’s best not to jump to any conclusions about its nature or release date.

DJI Avata 3: Not expected until 2027, in all likelihood

First, we need to clear up a persistent misunderstanding: the Avata 360 is not the successor to the Avata 2, but a parallel line dedicated to spherical capture. An Avata 3 in the traditional sense is therefore still to come, and information about it remains sketchy. In March 2026, content creator Mauro Tandoi shared a message from a Chinese source claiming to have flown a prototype: according to the source, the Avata 3 would be released the following year—in 2027—with a panoramic gimbal offering a field of view similar to that of a 360-degree camera, and a flight experience deemed less enjoyable than that of the Avata 2. In mid-April, a video posted by Igor Bogdanov also showed a compact prototype with dual propeller guards, sometimes attributed to an Avata 3 and sometimes to a new Neo, though its identity has never been confirmed. To date, no regulatory filings, no entries in the Chinese registry, and no packaging have emerged to support an imminent release.

The historical release schedule for the lineup supports this cautious interpretation. The first Avata was released in August 2022, the Avata 2 in April 2024, and the Avata 360 in March 2026—a gap of about two years between each launch. An Avata 3 released as early as late 2026 would cannibalize sales of the Avata 360 just six months after its release, which seems inconsistent with DJI’s business strategy. For fans of immersive flying, the Avata 2 and Avata 360 will therefore remain the flagship models in the lineup for many months to come, with the added benefit of being compatible with the brand’s ecosystem of headsets and remote controls.

DJI Mini 6 Pro: Lots of Hype, No Proof

The Mini 6 Pro is probably the most sought-after DJI drone online, and, paradoxically, the one about which the least reliable information is available. As of mid-October 2026, there is no record of this model in Chinese registries, no radio certification, no photographed prototypes, and no packaging. Videos promising a one-inch stacked sensor, a dual camera, 8K video, or an hour of flight time are, for the most part, speculative content—sometimes automatically generated—that often fails to mention that the Mini 5 Pro The current model already features a 1-inch, 50-megapixel sensor, 4K at 120 frames per second, and a front-facing LiDAR.

The product lineup’s release schedule also suggests that a launch is not imminent. The Mini 3 Pro was launched in May 2022, the Mini 4 Pro in September 2023, and the Mini 5 Pro in September 2025—intervals ranging from sixteen to twenty-four months—which logically points to a successor sometime in 2027. The arrival of the Lito X1, which now occupies part of the market segment below the Mini 5 Pro, further reduces the urgency for DJI. Our advice is therefore simple: don’t put off buying a Mini while waiting for a Mini 6 Pro, as there is currently no way to predict its release date.

DJI Mavic 5 Pro: Not Expected Until 2027 at the Earliest

The situation is similar in the high-end segment. Launched in May 2025, the Mavic 4 Pro set the bar very high with its triple camera, its 100-megapixel Four Thirds main sensor by Hasselblad, its 6K HDR video, and its Infinity gimbal capable of rotating 360 degrees. Between the Mavic 3 released in November 2021, the Mavic 3 Pro in April 2023, and the Mavic 4 Pro, DJI has maintained a cycle of approximately two years, which suggests a potential Mavic 5 Pro wouldn’t arrive until 2027 at the earliest. No credible leaks have emerged about it to date, and the claims of OcuSync 5 transmission or onboard radar that accompany certain videos are not backed by any documentation. A more affordable version of the Mavic 4, similar to the Mavic 3 Classic released in November 2022, is sometimes mentioned, but at this stage, this is merely an inference based on the brand’s past patterns.

On the professional front: The 5TD Matrix and Dock 4 have already been officially announced; the rest is on the horizon

The only drone launch already confirmed for this fall is in the professional segment. Unveiled on October 14, 2026, the Dock 4 is DJI’s first docking station capable of automatically swapping out the drone’s battery in less than 25 seconds, allowing it to take off again in less than 45 seconds after landing—whereas previous docks required a recharge time of about half an hour. It works exclusively with the new Matrice 5TD, a 2.6-kilogram drone rated for 59 minutes of flight time, which features wide-angle and infrared cameras, LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, and onboard artificial intelligence capable of recognizing 17 types of objects in real time, within a 10-kilometer operational radius. The kit, which includes the dock, the drone, and the O4 ground station, is priced at 167,999 yuan in China—approximately $25,100—while in Europe, it is sold through DJI Enterprise resellers on a quote basis. Owners of Matrice 4TD fleets should note that this new dock is not compatible with their devices.

The next development could involve the non-docked versions. In July, Igor Bogdanov released images of a Matrice 5 equipped with a built-in LiDAR and a five-window gimbal, presented as the successor to the Matrice 4 series as the compact flagship model for professionals, though it is not yet clear whether this was the now-official 5TD or another variant. Since the Matrice 4 family was offered in both portable versions—the 4E and 4T—and dock-compatible versions—the 4D and 4TD—it would make sense to see Matrice 5 models that can be used off-dock, but DJI has not confirmed anything on this matter.

Summary Table of Upcoming DJI Drones

To provide a clearer picture, the table below summarizes the progress of each model as of October 19, 2026, breaking down the level of available evidence. The release windows shown are based on our analysis and DJI’s historical release schedule; they are by no means official dates.

Model	Status as of October 19, 2026	Probable Exit Window	What We Know	Reliability of Information
DJI Neo 3	Unannounced, Chinese packaging and registry	Late October through November 2026	1/1.1-inch square sensor, 192.7 g, 18.9 Wh three-cell battery, RC Mini with screen	High
DJI Air 4	Unannounced, Chinese flight app	Early 2027 is more likely than late 2026	Less than 250 g or a dual 1-inch sensor, depending on the source; approximately 40 minutes	Average
N610BS	Chinese Radio Certification, July 2026	Unknown	Unidentified model, high-end case	Unclear about the nature of the product
DJI Avata 3	Rumor, unidentified prototype	2027	Panoramic observation deck mentioned by a Chinese source	Low
DJI Mini 6 Pro	No regulatory reference	2027	Nothing verifiable	Very low
DJI Mavic 5 Pro	No regulatory reference	2027 at the earliest	Nothing verifiable	Very low
DJI Matrice 5TD and Dock 4	In office since October 14, 2026	Available through Enterprise resellers	59-minute flight time, battery swap in under 25 seconds, LiDAR and radar	Confirmed

A regulatory environment that is reshaping DJI's strategy

It is impossible to understand DJI’s current timeline without addressing the situation in the United States. On December 22, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission added all foreign-manufactured drones, as well as their critical components, to its «Covered List,» following a national security determination by the executive branch, upon expiration of the deadline set by Section 1709 of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for 2025. In practical terms, no new DJI model can now obtain the necessary authorization to be sold in the United States, while models previously authorized remain on the market. This is why the Lito and the upcoming Neo 3 are bypassing the U.S. market—the Neo 2, incidentally, was never launched there despite having obtained certification as early as July 2025—and why every leak now mentions the absence of an FCC filing.

DJI is challenging this decision before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, where the case was filed on February 20, 2026. In a brief filed in April, the manufacturer quantified the impact of the measure for the first time: fourteen existing products have had their authorizations revoked, twenty-five launches planned for 2026 have been blocked, and the projected loss for the year amounts to $1.56 billion. Added to this, since September 3, 2026, a 25 % tariff has been imposed on consumer drones imported into the United States. For European pilots, the effect is indirect but very real: DJI is focusing its launches on China and Europe, sometimes with a delay of a few days or weeks between the two, as seen with the Neo 2, which launched on October 30 in China and then on November 13, 2025, in Europe.

In France, the regulatory framework also changed as of January 1, 2026, with the elimination of the national scenarios S1, S2, and S3 in favor of only the European standard scenarios STS-01 and STS-02, which primarily affect professional drone pilots operating in the specific category. For hobbyists flying in the open category, it is the aircraft’s CE class that determines what they are permitted to do. A Class C0 drone—that is, one weighing less than 250 grams—can operate in subcategory A1 and occasionally fly over isolated individuals, but never over gatherings, subject to national restrictions that strictly regulate flight in urban areas—which explains the strategic appeal of a lightweight Air 4 or a Neo 3 limited to 192.7 grams. However, this threshold does not exempt operators from all formalities: registration of the operator on the AlphaTango platform remains mandatory as long as the drone is equipped with a camera, and compliance with the restricted zones listed on Géoportail is required of all operators.

Buy Now or Wait? Our Tips, from Purchase to Maintenance

The answer depends first and foremost on the type of drone you’re interested in. If you’re looking for a small selfie drone or a very compact entry-level model, it makes sense to wait a few weeks: the Neo 3 is clearly on the horizon, and its release should lead to a price drop for the Neo 2, which would then become an excellent deal. For a Mini or an Air, on the other hand, nothing has been confirmed in the short term, and the current models—led by the Mini 5 Pro and Air 3S—regularly see discounts that make them sensible purchases. As for FPV goggles, the Avata 2 and Avata 360 will in all likelihood remain the brand’s flagship models until 2027.

From a workshop perspective, each new generation brings its own set of changes that are best anticipated. The Neo 3 is a good example of this: its three-cell battery with seven contacts makes the Neo 2’s battery packs and charging accessories unusable, and its propellers, enclosed in screw-mounted cages—while promising better protection against contact—make replacing them more technically challenging than simply snapping them into place. More broadly, the widespread use of LiDAR and sensors distributed all around the airframe increases the number of sensitive components that can be damaged in a crash and may then require recalibration. Experience also shows that replacement parts for a new model generally take several weeks to become available in sufficient quantities after its launch, which is why it’s a good idea to purchase a protection plan such as DJI Care Refresh during the first few months of use.

For older models, the end of official support does not mean the end of the device’s lifespan. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0, for which DJI’s after-sales service ends on October 31, 2026, serves as a reminder: an independent repair shop can continue to diagnose and repair these drones as long as parts remain available. If your device has been damaged in a crash or is behaving abnormally, you can Request a repair estimate at our workshop, and if you'd rather finance a new model, we We also buy back damaged drones.

Finally, there are a few simple best practices that apply regardless of which model you choose. Install the latest firmware version before your first flights, as updates released in the weeks following a launch often fix early-stage bugs. Check the calibration of the inertial navigation system and compass after transport or a significant change in flight location. And avoid disassembling a device yourself if it’s still under warranty: on a recent drone, for which technicians haven’t yet accumulated enough experience, a risky repair attempt could worsen the problem and jeopardize warranty coverage.

What You Need to Know About DJI's Future Drones

As of mid-October 2026, the outlook for future DJI releases essentially boils down to one nearly certain model, one likely model, and a series of speculations. The Neo 3, confirmed by its packaging, its registration in the Chinese registry, and several unboxing videos, is expected to be officially announced in the coming weeks and will mark a real leap in quality thanks to its 1/1.1-inch sensor. The Air 4 is indeed in DJI’s pipeline, but its specifications remain inconsistent, and its release appears to be slipping toward early 2027. As for the Avata 3, Mini 6 Pro, and Mavic 5 Pro, they are currently just rumors, and we recommend not delaying a purchase while waiting for them. We’ll update this article as official announcements are made, starting with the one for the Neo 3.

Frequently Asked Questions About Upcoming DJI Drones

What's the next DJI drone to be released?

In the consumer segment, this is most likely the DJI Neo 3, whose retail packaging, marketing materials, and registration in the Chinese drone registry have already been leaked. An official announcement between late October and November 2026 is the most plausible scenario, even though DJI has not yet announced a date. In the professional segment, the Matrice 5TD and the Dock 4 were officially announced on October 14, 2026.

When will the DJI Air 4 be released?

DJI has not announced a release date. The device appeared in May 2026 on a Chinese flight reporting app, but no packaging or retailer listings have been leaked yet, making a release before the end of 2026 increasingly unlikely. Early 2027 now seems to us to be the most realistic timeline.

Has the DJI Mini 6 Pro been announced?

No. As of the publication date of this article, there are no certifications, prototypes, or packaging to confirm the existence of a Mini 6 Pro. Given the pace at which the product line is updated, a 2027 release seems more plausible than one in 2026.

Will the new DJI drones be sold in France?

Yes. The restrictions preventing the sale of new DJI models apply only to the United States. The latest releases—from the Avata 360 to the Lito 1 and Lito X1—have been sold as usual in France and Europe, sometimes a few days or weeks after their release in China.

Will the DJI Neo 2 batteries be compatible with the Neo 3?

According to the leaked battery label, no. The Neo 3 uses a three-cell, 18.9 Wh battery pack with seven contacts, compared to the Neo 2’s two-cell, five-contact design, which means the two generations are not compatible.