The new DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone, released this May, comes with major improvements in camera quality and flight time, but American buyers won’t find it in local stores. DJI, the world’s largest drone maker, says U.S. trade policies and tariffs have forced them to skip the American market for now.
The most noticeable change is the drone’s new round camera system. Unlike older drones with fixed cameras, this one can spin all the way around and look up at a 70-degree angle. Think of it like a security camera that can look in any direction – useful for capturing everything from tall buildings to sports events without moving the drone itself.
Tom’s Guide tested the drone and called it “The most powerful consumer drone yet,” particularly praising its three-camera setup. The main camera shoots 100-megapixel photos – about four times sharper than typical drone cameras. It also comes with two zoom lenses: one for medium distances, perfect for filming people without flying too close, and another for far-away subjects like wildlife.
Battery life has jumped significantly. While DJI claims 51 minutes of flight time, real-world testing by PetaPixel shows about 37 minutes. The drone can also send back clear video footage from up to 18.6 miles away, though local flying regulations usually require keeping your drone much closer.
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Night flying gets safer with the drone’s six cameras and distance-measuring sensor working together to avoid obstacles, even in moonlight conditions. “I could not see the drone or the trees, save for the blinking LED lights on the wings, but the drone would reliably stop before hitting branches,” notes Chris Niccolls in his review.
The new controller addresses common frustrations. Its screen offers 1000 nits of brightness, making it easier to see in sunlight compared to the previous 700 nits model. The control sticks now fold away automatically, eliminating the annoying task of unscrewing and storing them separately after each flight.
Not everything is perfect. Reviews point out that while powerful, the drone isn’t as agile as smaller models, and sometimes misses detecting small obstacles like thin branches. At €2,099 in Europe, £1,879 in UK, and $2,049 USD in Canada for the basic package, and €3,539, £3,209, and $3,459 USD in Canada respectively for the fully loaded version, it’s also expensive.
The biggest issue remains its U.S. availability. DJI spokesperson Daisy Kong explains: “Like many global companies, we have had to adjust our market strategy as local conditions and the industry environment have evolved.” Despite having necessary FCC approvals, DJI has no timeline for a U.S. release.
Some U.S. retailers briefly listed the drone for sale at $2,699, but DJI won’t provide warranty or support for units brought in from other countries. This leaves American drone users in limbo, unable to officially purchase what reviewers consistently rate as one of the most advanced consumer drones in their testing.
For international buyers, the Mavic 4 Pro offers notable improvements in camera quality, flight time, and ease of use. For Americans, it represents something else: how international trade disputes can leave consumers without access to new technology, even when technically ready for market.
