DJI Mavic 4 Pro Unboxing & First Flight – An Upgraded Drone All Around

It’s finally here. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the successor to DJI’s Mavic 3, released in 2021, making this drone nearly four years in the making. A new drone release from DJI, revamping their high-end folding drone in the Mavic line, is a rare event. Unlike the smartphone industry, where numerous companies compete with annual releases featuring small upgrades, the consumer drone space is dominated by DJI. So, when they launch a new drone like the Mavic 4 Pro, with a new camera, updated body style, and a brand-new remote controller, it’s something special to discuss. In this article, we’ll unbox the drone and take it for its first flight.

Unboxing the Mavic 4 Pro

Inside the box, we have the 512 GB Creator Combo, which includes the RC Pro 2 controller. Notably, DJI has dropped the FlyMore bundle, possibly replacing it with the Creator Combo or offering different bundles with various controllers and accessories based on needs and budget. This is a first impressions piece, focusing on unboxing and the initial flight, but a full Review is already available for those wanting a deeper dive into the Mavic 4 Pro’s features.

The Creator Combo comes with a bag to hold the drone and accessories. This bag feels heavier than those for other folding drones of similar size, suggesting higher quality and possibly better ergonomics, though that’s yet to be confirmed. Inside, everything is wrapped in plastic. Let’s go through the contents.

Drone and Accessories

• Mavic 4 Pro: The drone feels slightly larger than the Mavic 3.
• Extra Propellers: Included but not unpacked yet.
• RC Pro 2 Controller: Features a larger, brighter screen that activates when opened. The control sticks fold down for storage, and the screen is impressive.
• Battery Hub and Batteries: Includes a charging hub, two extra batteries, and one in the drone.
• Power Accessories: A variety of power plugs (likely due to this being a review unit), including options for Europe, Asia, and the U.S., plus a charging brick delivering over 200 watts for fast charging.
• Cables: A braided charging cable and data transfer cable, similar to those with the Mavic 3.

First Flight Experience

It’s a beautiful day for flying, though slightly windy, which will test the Mavic 4 Pro’s capabilities. The drone feels larger than the Mavic 3 Pro and Air 3, making hand launching or landing trickier. For this first flight, we’ll take off from the ground.

Initial Impressions

The drone is quieter than previous Mavic models, even with a lavalier mic in use. We’re shooting 6K video at 60 frames per second in normal color profile with automatic camera settings for ease during this test. In sport mode, the drone reaches 60 mph effortlessly, aided by a tailwind. The live feed is exceptionally clear, with vibrant colors and a bright controller screen, making details like high-tension wires visible even in sunlight.

Performance in Wind

Flying against the wind, the drone manages 18–24 mph in sport mode, improving to 40 mph when dropping altitude to reduce wind resistance. These conditions would be challenging for a mini drone, but the Mavic 4 Pro handles them confidently.

Camera and Gimbal

The gimbal occasionally seems slightly off, with a minor horizon tilt, possibly due to aggressive maneuvers in sport mode. The camera’s clarity, colors, and dynamic range are outstanding. A new feature allows native 6K vertical video by rotating the controller screen, though the gimbal twitches slightly when switching between horizontal and vertical modes, possibly due to firmware.

Controller and Features

The RC Pro 2’s 2,000-nit screen is bright enough to view without squinting, even in direct sunlight, and its ergonomic design improves on the original RC Pro. The vision assist feature, now separate from the map, offers clear, movable camera feeds for better situational awareness, reducing reliance on sensors. The zoom lenses (2.5x and 6x) are sharper and more versatile than the Mavic 3’s 3x and 7x, with the 6x providing crisp, detailed shots of distant subjects.

Handling and Settings

The drone’s yaw smoothness feels overly smooth, requiring fine-tuning. Ascend and descend speeds reach 22 mph, with the drone dropping rapidly in sport mode. Despite strong winds, the Mavic 4 Pro remains responsive, feeling like a larger, more powerful version of the Air 3S.

Final Thoughts

The Mavic 4 Pro meets expectations with its stellar camera, vibrant colors, and robust performance. The controller’s bright screen, responsive sticks, and ergonomic design enhance the flying experience. Even in a windy, urban environment with potential signal interference, the drone performs flawlessly. Battery life holds up despite wind resistance, and the 6K footage promises crisp, detailed results.

This unboxing and first flight confirm the Mavic 4 Pro as a significant upgrade to DJI’s best folding drone. For more in-depth coverage, check out additional videos on the Mavic 4 Pro, with extensive content planned over the next few months. If you’re interested, like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more. Peace.