On January, 2018, DJI introduced Mavic Pro’s successor, the Mavic Air. The new model is not only smaller as compared to Mavic Pro but also is faster, lighter and has advanced obstacle-avoidance technology. The product has been priced at US$ 799 in the U.S. and £769 in the U.K. The Air can shoot videos with a frame per second of 30. The peak image capture rate of the new model is 100 Mbps, which is an improvement to the Pro’s 60 Mbps. Moreover, the Air can capture slow-motion videos at 1080p HD resolution. In order to enable smooth footage, the company has provided an improved anti-shake gimbal mechanism. The key feature of the Air remains in its light weight and smaller size. It is 41% lighter than the Pro and when folded, the Air is about half the size of the Pro. The Air has a maximum speed of 68.4 km/hr as compared to the Pro’s 65 km/hr. However, in terms of flight time and maximum control range, the Air falls short of the Pro. Another prominent feature of the Air lies in ability to stitch 25 photos together to create panoramic shots.

Analyst View:

At the time when drones are extensively used for photography purposes, the introduction of Mavic Air is expected to create interest in the minds of new buyers. The compact size coupled with its light weight make the drone an attractive option for new buyers. However, the company would be eager upon improving its maximum flight time and maximum control range. The lower price point of the Air as compared to that of the Pro would further make it a good option for the consumers. With the introduction of the new model, the company would be competing against the Spark and Chinese firm, Yuneec.