Skip to main content

DJI rumors: DJI Mavic 2 is the future – Part 3

The discontinuation of the DJI Phantom 4 and the cancelation of the DJI Phantom 5 brings us to the question, what are DJI’s plans for the consumer, prosumer and professional drone market when there is no longer a DJI Phantom series of drones? Well, this is where the DJI Mavic 2 comes into play. With some improvements, the DJI Mavic 2 can be the perfect drone for the consumer, prosumer and even a good part of the professional and commercial drone market. Read on to find out why the DJI Mavic 2 is the future for the drone maker.

This is part 3 in a special series of articles that zoom in on the latest rumors around the DJI Phantom 4, the DJI Phantom 5 and the DJI Mavic 2 series. Click here for part 1 or here for part 2.

Btw, we will have an unexpected part 4 that focuses on the DJI Smart Controller and why it will play a crucial role in the success of the Mavic 2 series of drones later this weekend.

DJI Mavic 2 is the future

The original DJI Mavic Pro turned out to quickly become DJI’s best selling drone ever. People obviously valued the portability of the folding drone. With the Mavic 2, launched in the summer of 2018, DJI had made some significant improvements over the original Mavic Pro, especially when it came to build-quality, obstacle avoidance, and connectivity between the remote controller and the aircraft with OcuSync 2.0. Yes, the video quality could use some improvement but we will get back to that later.

We have also seen that the DJI Mavic 2 can easily carry heavier equipment. In the Enterprise version, it can carry a speaker, spotlight, beacon or dual camera. And in videos online we have seen the Mavic even drop lifevests. So, there is no doubt that the DJI Mavic 2 can lift some heavier equipment and might well be outfitted with a more professional camera in a future generation.

Rumors of a new version of the DJI Mavic 2

The rumors that have reached DroneDJ suggest that a special version of the DJI Mavic 2 may be released at some point in the not too distant future. Possibly still this year, but (unfortunately) more likely in early 2020. For this new version of the DJI Mavic 2, think along the lines of a ‘Version 2.0’ or a ‘Platinum Edition’.

It is expected that the upgraded or improved Mavic 2 Pro would feature a 1-inch sensor with possibly a global shutter to make the folding drone a real option for mapping experts or more professional filmmakers.

Can the DJI Mavic 2 Pro bridge the gap to the DJI Inspire 2?

Yes, it can. With a DJI Mavic 2 you’d still miss out on the landing gear that allows you to hand catch a Phantom, but it is not hard to see how with a few improvements DJI might be able to close the gap between the Mavic 2 Pro and the Inspire 2 series. And by doing so, making the DJI Phantom 5 irrelevant. Phantom 5 customers would have to choose to either step down to a more affordable, more portable and (almost) as capable DJI Mavic 2. Or step up to a DJI Inspire 2 which, with the right camera, offers you interchangeable lenses.

Especially with the softer consumer drone market that we are currently facing, it is not hard to see why DJI would decide to cancel their plans of launching a Phantom 5 in favor of further developing the DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

DJI Smart Controller plays a crucial role

A crucial role for the future success of the DJI Mavic 2 series of drones is reserved for the DJI Smart Controller. We have more news about what DJI is rumored to do on that front as well, but we will save that for another article later this weekend.

Curious to hear your thoughts about the DJI Phantom 4, DJI Phantom 5 and DJI Mavic 2 in the comments below.

Stay in touch!

If you’d like to stay up to date with all the latest drone news, scoops, rumors and reviews, then follow us on TwitterFacebookYouTubeInstagram or sign up for our daily email newsletter, that goes out every weekday at 6 pm.

Buy your next drone through directly from manufacturers, such as DJIParrotYuneec or retailers like AmazonB&HBestBuy or eBay. By using our links, we will make a small commission, but it will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for helping DroneDJ grow!

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading DroneDJ — experts who break news about DJI and the wider drone ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow DroneDJ on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Haye Kesteloo Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at DroneDJ, where he covers all drone related news and writes product reviews. He also contributes to the other sites in the 9to5Mac group such as; 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys and Electrek. Haye can be reached at haye@dronedj.com or @hayekesteloo