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DJI Air 3S vs Air 3: Mid-Tier Drone Showdown – Is the Upgrade Worth It?

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DJI Air 3S vs Air 3: Mid-Tier Drone Showdown – Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Key Facts: DJI Air 3S vs DJI Air 3

  • Camera Upgrade: Both drones carry dual cameras (wide + 3× telephoto), but the Air 3S boosts the main camera to a 1-inch CMOS sensor (up from 1/1.3-inch on the Air 3) for improved image quality, especially in low light store.dji.com thedronegirl.com. Photo resolution nudges from 48 MP to 50 MP, and video goes up to 4K 120fps on the Air 3S (versus 4K 100fps on Air 3) maisondudrone.com. The tele camera (70mm equivalent) remains 1/1.3-inch on both drones maisondudrone.com.
  • Flight Performance: Both offer impressive flight endurance around 45–46 minutes per battery, with strong wind resistance (Level 6, ~12 m/s) and similar agility thedronegirl.com maisondudrone.com. Officially their top speed is about 21 m/s (~47 mph), but one source notes the Air 3S can pitch harder (36° vs 30°) to potentially hit ~27 m/s (~60 mph) in Sport mode drdrone.com drdrone.com. In practice, everyday flyers won’t notice much difference – both are zippy and stable in the air.
  • Obstacle Sensing & Safety: The Air 3S is the first DJI consumer drone to add front-facing LiDAR to its omnidirectional obstacle sensing system techradar.com. This laser sensor enables the Air 3S to detect obstacles even in near-dark conditions, making night flying safer (its vision sensors function at 1 lux vs. 15 lux on Air 3) dronexl.co. Both drones have 360° vision sensors and downward infrared sensors, but the Air 3S’s “Nightscape” obstacle sensing and next-gen Smart Return-To-Home give it an edge in avoiding hazards on evening flights techradar.com techradar.com.
  • Intelligent Features: Both models come packed with DJI’s creative shooting modes – ActiveTrack subject tracking, MasterShots, QuickShots, Hyperlapse, Waypoints, etc. The Air 3S, however, introduces Free Panorama mode (stitching multiple images for ultra-wide shots) which the Air 3 lacks thedronegirl.com techradar.com. It also supports Off-State QuickTransfer, letting you offload footage to your phone or PC even when the drone is powered off – a convenient new trick drdrone.com. Additionally, the Air 3S allows pre-planned waypoint missions via the app (no need to fly and mark points manually as on the Air 3) drdrone.com.
  • Design & Portability: The two drones are nearly identical in design – both foldable and backpack-friendly. The Air 3S weighs just 724 g vs 720 g for the Air 3 thedronegirl.com, essentially the same class. Despite the upgrades, the Air 3S keeps the Air series’ compact form factor. Both use DJI’s O4 transmission system (up to 20 km range in ideal conditions) and can bind with the same controllers (RC-N2/RC-N3 or the RC 2 screen controller) drdrone.com drdrone.com. In short, portability and handling are alike, with no major design differences besides the Air 3S’s slightly larger camera housing to fit that 1” sensor.
  • Storage and Other Perks: One noticeable improvement – the Air 3S carries 42 GB of internal storage (useful as backup or if you forget your SD card), whereas the Air 3 has only 8 GB built-in thedronegirl.com techradar.com. This means the Air 3S lets you capture much more footage before needing to offload. Both have fixed apertures on their cameras (no adjustable iris), and both lack pro codecs like Apple ProRes – these drones target enthusiasts, not high-end cinema use drdrone.com.
  • Price & Value: DJI launched the Air 3S at the same $1,099 MSRP as the Air 3’s debut, despite the added tech techradar.com techradar.com. As of 2025, the Air 3’s price has dipped slightly at some retailers (small ~10% discounts) techradar.com, but not dramatically. Both are widely available. Given the minor price gap, new buyers “might as well pick up the latest model” – the Air 3S – for its extra features techradar.com. For existing Air 3 owners, the upgrades, while real, are incremental – one reviewer’s “pretty hard ‘no’” on upgrading says it all dronexl.co.

Camera Specs and Performance

Dual-Camera Setup: The DJI Air 3 series pioneered a dual-camera system in a mid-tier drone. Both the Air 3 and Air 3S house a wide-angle primary camera (24mm equivalent) and a 3× medium telephoto camera (70mm equivalent). The crucial difference is the sensor size of the main camera. The Air 3S bumps the wide camera up to a 1-inch CMOS sensor, whereas the original Air 3’s wide camera uses a smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor store.dji.com thedronegirl.com. In practice, a 1-inch sensor can capture more light and detail, especially in challenging lighting. DJI explicitly tuned the Air 3S for better dynamic range and low-light performance – it can retain more detail in shadows and highlights (up to 14 stops of dynamic range, per DJI) and handles dim scenes with less noise maisondudrone.com maisondudrone.com.

Resolution and Image Quality: Both drones take high-resolution stills, but the Air 3S edges ahead with 50 MP photos on its main camera (versus 48 MP on Air 3) maisondudrone.com. The extra 2 megapixels isn’t a huge jump, and both use quad-bayer sensor designs (which bin pixels for better light sensitivity). In fact, one expert noted the real-world difference in detail is subtle: “I found it challenging to spot immediate differences between the two cameras, which speaks to the quality of both. All modern drone cameras are good… with careful side-by-side comparisons, you’ll find minor distinctions” dronexl.co. The Air 3S produces slightly sharper fine details (e.g. in buildings or trees) and has a warmer default color tone, giving images a pleasing look out of camera dronexl.co dronexl.co. Any warmth can be adjusted when editing RAW files, and color profiles are available (both offer 10-bit D-Log M and HLG for high dynamic range capture).

Low-Light and ISO Performance: On paper, the Air 3S should excel at dusk or dawn thanks to that larger sensor and an expanded ISO range. It can crank up to ISO 12,800 for photos (versus ISO 6,400 max on Air 3) thedronegirl.com, which indicates greater light sensitivity. In real night shooting, reviewers had mixed impressions. Photos from the Air 3S indeed show less noise and better clarity in very low light. However, for video, one reviewer found the Air 3S’s default processing actually made night footage darker than the Air 3’s. The Air 3S uses an all-in-one HDR video processing pipeline that’s brilliant by day but can struggle at night, producing a dimmer image, whereas the Air 3 (with a more open f/1.7 aperture on its lens vs. approx. f/2.8 on the Air 3S) sometimes delivered a brighter picture in extremely dark scenes dronexl.co dronexl.co. This is a niche scenario; overall the Air 3S offers superior imaging, but it’s insightful that the older model can hold its own or even excel in certain night videos when manual post-processing is applied. Both drones lack adjustable apertures, meaning you’ll use ND filters in bright conditions to control exposure (a fixed f-stop is one limitation for advanced photographers) drdrone.com.

Video Capabilities: Videographers will be happy with either drone. The Air 3S’s main camera can shoot 4K up to 120 fps for smooth slow-motion, a slight bump from the Air 3’s 4K 100 fps cap maisondudrone.com. In 1080p Full HD, the Air 3S reaches 240 fps vs 200 fps on the Air 3 maisondudrone.com, again a marginal improvement for slow-mo enthusiasts. Both drones capture 4K HDR video (10-bit) up to 60 fps, and support DJI’s D-Log M color profile for flat, gradable footage techradar.com maisondudrone.com. A curious spec quirk: the Air 3S actually has a lower maximum video bitrate (130 Mbps vs 150 Mbps on Air 3) maisondudrone.com. In practice this difference is negligible in quality maisondudrone.com, but it suggests the Air 3S compresses video slightly more due to the new image processing pipeline. The takeaway is that both drones produce crisp, detailed 4K video; the Air 3S just gives you a touch more slow-motion and arguably cleaner footage in high-contrast or low-light scenes thanks to that sensor. As one review summed up, the Air 3S delivers “slightly more detail, particularly in buildings and trees, giving a sharper look that doesn’t feel overly enhanced” dronexl.co. These are incremental gains – casual users will be impressed by either drone’s camera, while pixel-peepers will appreciate the Air 3S’s refinements.

Flight Performance and Battery Life

Flight Time: DJI’s Air series is known for excellent flight endurance, and neither model disappoints. The Air 3 advertises up to 46 minutes max flight time (in ideal test conditions), and the Air 3S up to 45 minutes thedronegirl.com. In practice, you can expect around 30–38 minutes per flight under typical conditions, which is still plenty for most shoots. The 1-minute difference is barely noticeable – likely due to the Air 3S’s slightly higher takeoff weight and added electronics drawing a bit more power. Importantly, the Air 3S and Air 3 use the same batteries and charging hub system, so if you’re upgrading, your spare Air 3 batteries will work in the 3S and vice-versa dronexl.co. Both drones also support DJI’s Battery Charging Hub with a power transfer feature (you can funnel remaining juice from multiple batteries into one pack). Overall, you get well over 40 minutes of hovering time per charge, which translates to a comfortable 30+ minutes of real-world flying with maneuvering and wind – outstanding longevity that minimizes battery swap anxiety.

Speed and Maneuverability: On paper, the original Air 3 is already quite speedy, with a max horizontal speed around 21 m/s (47 mph) in Sport mode maisondudrone.com. The Air 3S was rumored to push the envelope further. In fact, one spec sheet lists the Air 3S top speed at 27 m/s (~60 mph) by allowing a steeper flight angle (up to 36° tilt) drdrone.com. This suggests the Air 3S might have a tweaked Sport mode for adrenaline junkies. However, DJI’s official materials didn’t heavily emphasize a speed boost, and testing shows both drones feel similarly agile. They ascend and descend at the same rates (max ~10 m/s up/down) maisondudrone.com and have identical wind resistance ratings (withstand ~12 m/s winds) maisondudrone.com. In essence, the handling and performance envelope are on par. Both drones are responsive, with the Air series’ characteristic smooth control and hover stability aided by GPS and vision sensors. Beginners and experienced pilots alike will find either drone easy to fly confidently. The Air 3S’s additional weight is trivial and doesn’t impact its nimbleness. If you’re doing sporty flying or tracking fast subjects, either drone can keep up, though the Air 3S’s slight tuning improvements might give it a hair more punch (nothing dramatic enough to sway a purchase).

Range and Signal: Thanks to DJI’s O4 transmission system, both the Air 3 and 3S maintain a robust signal over long distances. They are rated for up to 20 km (12.4 miles) of range in FCC regions (unobstructed, optimal conditions) drdrone.com techradar.com. In real-world usage, this means you can reliably fly a couple of kilometers away in typical environments with minimal interference – far beyond visual line of sight (though regulations will limit how far you can legally fly). The live video feed to the controller is 1080p and ultra-smooth. Notably, the Air 3S’s O4+ system can transmit a higher frame-rate live view (up to 100fps on the RC 2 controller) versus 60fps on the Air 3 drdrone.com. This could make the FPV feed slightly more fluid on the newest controllers, but both already offer low-latency, high-quality feeds for precise flying. Both drones automatically drop to lower resolution if signal weakens, and both will initiate Return-to-Home if the signal is lost, thanks to their fail-safes.

Overall Flight Experience: Whether it’s the Air 3 or Air 3S, you’re getting a highly refined flight experience. These drones hover rock-steady even in breezes, respond instantly to inputs, and brake predictably. They also share the same controllers – you can choose the standard RC-N2/RC-N3 (uses your smartphone as the screen) or upgrade to the DJI RC 2 with a built-in display. The RC 2 was introduced alongside the Air 3 and continues with the 3S, offering Ocusync 4.0 and 700-nit brightness for outdoor viewing drdrone.com drdrone.com. Both drones benefit from the controller’s improved video bitrate and range. In summary, DJI ensured the Air 3S didn’t sacrifice the stellar flight performance of the Air 3. Apart from a negligible reduction in max flight time, the newer model flies just as long, fast, and far. Pilots coming from the Mini series will be especially impressed by how much more stable these larger Air drones are in wind and how much longer they stay aloft – one Air 3S reviewer even listed the “generous 46-minute flight time” of the Air 3 series as a key selling point techradar.com techradar.com.

Intelligent Flight Features

One of DJI’s strengths is the rich set of intelligent features built into their drones, and both the Air 3 and Air 3S are packed with them. You’ll find the familiar repertoire on both models: ActiveTrack 5.0 (subject tracking), Spotlight and Point of Interest modes, QuickShots (pre-programmed camera moves like Dronie, Circle, Helix, etc.), MasterShots (an automatic sequence of cinematic shots edited into a short video), Hyperlapse time-lapses, and even Waypoints (the ability to program GPS points for the drone to fly a route autonomously) maisondudrone.com maisondudrone.com. In essence, both drones offer an all-in-one creative toolkit in the sky. However, the Air 3S, being a generation newer, adds a few new tricks and enhancements that avid creators will appreciate:

  • Free Panorama Mode: Exclusive to the Air 3S, this mode lets you capture massive panoramic images by manually selecting an area or subject, and the drone will automatically take a series of photos (with either the wide or tele camera) and stitch them together techradar.com. Previous DJI drones (including the Air 3) had automated 180° or 360° pano modes, but Free Panorama gives you more control – you can create a wide-aspect cityscape or an immersive landscape shot that standard cameras or phones can’t get in one frame. DJI suggests these high-res panos are “frame-worthy,” and indeed they’re great for printing or viewing on large screens techradar.com. This feature is especially handy with the telephoto lens: you can zoom in on a distant subject and then let the drone stitch a wider scene around it, achieving a compressed perspective panorama with tons of detail techradar.com.
  • Off-State QuickTransfer: The Air 3S introduces a convenient file transfer option. You can download photos/videos from the drone to your smartphone even when the drone is powered off, as long as the battery is installed store.dji.com drdrone.com. The drone enters a low-power standby to allow wireless transfers (or you can plug it via USB-C to a computer). This saves battery life and time – no need to fully power up the aircraft just to fetch your footage. It’s a boon for travelers wanting to quickly grab shots onto their phone after a flight and share to social media. On the Air 3, QuickTransfer was available only while the drone was on, which uses more battery and could be less convenient.
  • Waypoint Planning Upgrades: Both models support Waypoint missions, but the Air 3S lets you pre-plan waypoints in the app without physically flying to each point drdrone.com. On the Air 3, you would typically fly to a desired viewpoint, mark it, then move to the next – a manual process. The Air 3S allows you to set GPS points and altitudes in advance (for example, the night before a shoot or from a safe location), and then send the drone to execute that path. This is a feature previously seen in higher-end models and is a welcome addition for complex shots like mapping a property or replicating a flight path later. DrDrone testers highlighted this as a major convenience: “Pre-plan waypoints [in the Air 3S] rather than setting each waypoint manually…we set up complicated shots without having to fly the path manually” drdrone.com drdrone.com. This not only saves time but also increases precision for repeatable flights.
  • Optimized ActiveTrack 360°: ActiveTrack on both drones can track a moving subject from various angles (even circling around the subject in “360” mode). The Air 3S brings an algorithm improvement – DJI says it can keep a lock on a subject even if the lower half of the subject’s body is obscured (e.g., tall grass or a crowd) or if the subject goes onto a bridge where the background confuses perspective store.dji.com. This makes the tracking more robust in tricky scenarios. In practice, both drones do an excellent job following people or vehicles, but the Air 3S should lose track less often, which is great for action sports or wildlife shots where re-acquiring a subject can be challenging.

Aside from these, the Air 3S and Air 3 share all the same core automated modes. Both can shoot vertical video for social media (the Air 3S supports 2.7K vertical shooting, which the Air 3 can achieve by cropping since it has the same sensor width) store.dji.com. Both offer Cruise Control (lock a forward flight speed for smoother motion) and an array of photo modes like AEB (auto exposure bracketing), Burst shooting, and RAW capture maisondudrone.com. Hyperlapse functionality on both lets you program complex timelapses (with waypoints or circles), and they’ll even record these in 4K. In short, if you’re upgrading from an older drone (like a Mini or Air 2S), either Air 3 model is a quantum leap in automation and smarts. The Air 3S just pushes it a bit further with quality-of-life improvements for content creators.

It’s worth noting that these drones run on DJI’s latest firmware platform, so many features are identical. For example, both benefit from the updated SmartReturn-to-Home. If the drone loses signal or you hit RTH, they don’t just beeline back – they will dynamically reroute around obstacles using the vision system. The Air 3S’s version is dubbed “next-gen” Smart RTH, which memorizes the flight route in real time and can retrace it if GPS is weak (say you launched under a balcony or in a canyon) store.dji.com techradar.com. This gives extra assurance that even without satellites, the drone can find its way home using the 3D map built from its sensors. The Air 3 has advanced RTH too, but the Air 3S is even more precise thanks to that LiDAR-assisted mapping.

All these intelligent features make both drones very beginner-friendly as well. For example, QuickShots allow a novice to get epic-looking footage at the tap of a button. The Air series essentially bundles many of the automated modes from the pricier Mavic series into a smaller package. With the Air 3S, DJI has nearly perfected the formula – as one reviewer put it, the Air 3S is “soaring closer to camera-drone perfection” for enthusiasts techradar.com techradar.com.

Obstacle Avoidance and Safety

Safety is a critical aspect of any camera drone, and here the Air 3S makes its most notable mark over the Air 3. Both drones come with omnidirectional obstacle sensing, meaning they have vision sensors covering front, back, sides, top, and bottom, to detect obstacles in all directions techradar.com. This 360° awareness allows features like APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance) to automatically route the drone around obstacles in its path, and it provides comprehensive protection during Return-to-Home or tracking shots. The Air 3 already set a high standard with its binocular vision sensors and downward infrared sensor. The Air 3S builds on this by adding a forward-facing LiDAR scanner – the first time DJI has put a LiDAR sensor on a consumer drone techradar.com.

LiDAR Advantage: LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to map distances with high accuracy, and it doesn’t rely on ambient light. In the Air 3S, the forward LiDAR works in tandem with the cameras to enhance obstacle detection in low-light or nighttime conditions techradar.com. Where the Air 3’s vision system might struggle in the dark (a tree branch at night might not be “seen” until very close, if at all), the Air 3S’s LiDAR can literally scan ahead with laser beams. In spec terms, the Air 3S can sense obstacles at just 1 lux illumination (near darkness), whereas the Air 3 needed 15 lux (twilight levels) dronexl.co. That’s a significant leap – effectively, the Air 3S is far more reliable for evening flights. During daylight, both drones will stop or detour to avoid a wall of trees just fine; at night, the Air 3S will “see” that wall much earlier. As TechRadar notes, if you rarely fly at night, you won’t notice a huge difference day-to-day, but for pilots who do twilight cityscapes or night hyperlapses, the Air 3S provides “a better performance… where the Air 3 might struggle to pick up objects at night” techradar.com.

Real-World Safety Performance: In actual use, the omnidirectional sensing on both models is excellent. They beep and brake before hitting obstacles, and can autonomously navigate around obstacles when using functions like ActiveTrack or RTH. One reviewer reported that in day-to-day flying, he didn’t see a dramatic difference with LiDAR aside from knowing that on paper it’s more capable at night dronexl.co dronexl.co. That suggests DJI’s vision system alone was already robust. Still, having that extra layer of protection is great peace of mind. The Air 3S essentially has redundancy: even if the visual sensors can’t discern something in the dark, the laser will catch it. It’s a trickle-down from enterprise-level drones (LiDAR was previously a high-end tech for mapping) into a consumer product thedronegirl.com.

Additionally, both drones feature APAS 5.0 (Advanced Pilot Assistance System), which actively maneuvers the drone around obstacles rather than just stopping, if you enable it during manual flight. This makes it easier to fly in complex environments. The Air 3S’s LiDAR likely improves APAS performance at night or in glare. Both drones also have Emergency Brake and Hover – let go of the sticks and they’ll halt and hover in place, which is great for avoiding pilot error crashes.

Return-to-Home (RTH): DJI has refined RTH over generations. Both the Air 3 and 3S will ascend to a preset altitude and fly back to the takeoff point when triggered, avoiding obstacles on the way. The Air 3S gets the aforementioned “Next-Gen Smart RTH”, which uses its vision sensors (and LiDAR) to record the environment as it flies. If GPS is unavailable or spoofed (for example, taking off indoors or under a metal roof), the drone can use the visual map to return accurately techradar.com. This is a big deal for safety – it means you could launch an Air 3S from, say, inside a forest canopy or between tall buildings, and if it loses signal it can retrace its path out using its stored visuals. The Air 3 didn’t have quite this level of smarts, though it does have an advanced RTH that also tries to avoid obstacles. DJI claims the Air 3S “memorizes flight paths when adequate lighting is available, ensuring a safe return even without satellite signal” techradar.com, essentially a backup navigation system.

Geofencing and Compliance: Both drones include DJI’s GEO geofencing and altitude limit systems to prevent accidental entry into restricted airspace. They also have ADS-B receivers (DJI’s AirSense) to warn you of nearby manned aircraft – a crucial safety feature if you fly in areas where planes or helicopters might be present (AirSense availability can depend on region/model, but DJI has been including it on most newer drones). In terms of noise and props, both the Air 3 and 3S use low-noise propellers and are relatively quiet for their size (though louder than the tiny Mini series). They have similar lighting: LEDs on the arms for visibility and a downward auxiliary light for landing assistance in low light.

Reliability: The consensus among reviewers is that both Air 3 and Air 3S are very safe and reliable to fly. They hold GPS lock well, have strong connections, and the omnidirectional sensing greatly reduces the chance of crashing into obstacles. The Air 3S simply pushes the safety margin further. As DroneGirl succinctly put it, the Air 3S’s obstacle sensing is “superior (particularly at night)” and “its internal storage is seriously useful,” but otherwise the two share excellent safety DNA thedronegirl.com. For an average user flying in daylight, you’ll find both drones “easy and safe to fly”, as one TechRadar editor noted – the Air 3S just gives extra assurance in tricky scenarios techradar.com.

Design and Portability

The Air 3 and Air 3S are cut from the same cloth in terms of design. At a glance, you might not tell them apart. Both have the foldable quadcopter design that DJI popularized – they fold into a compact form roughly the size of a water bottle, making them ideal for travel. The Air 3’s folded dimensions are 207×100.5×91.1 mm, and the Air 3S’s are 214×100.6×89.2 mm (a hair longer) thedronegirl.com drdrone.com. Unfolded, they look almost identical, with a gimbal-mounted dual camera on the nose and obstacle sensors peppered around the shell. The color and styling are the same slate gray. The Air 3S did not introduce any radical redesign – DJI managed to incorporate the upgrades (like the bigger camera sensor and LiDAR module) without changing the drone’s size noticeably.

Weight and Classification: The Air 3 weighs ~720 grams, and the Air 3S ~724 grams thedronegirl.com. This keeps both in the sub-2500g “small drone” category, but importantly they are above 250 g, meaning they do require registration in most jurisdictions (unlike the Mini series which sneak under that limit). In Europe, they fall into the C1 class (<900g), which means they are eligible for certain operations but also require the pilot to have passed a basic theory exam and register, etc. DJI actually obtained a C1 certification for the Air 3, and the Air 3S would similarly qualify as C1. Practically, this weight gives them much better wind stability than sub-250g drones, while still being light enough to carry all day. You can toss either drone in a small shoulder bag or camera backpack with ease.

Build and Durability: Both drones have a sturdy build with high-quality plastics. The Air 3 series introduced a redesigned gimbal guard that covers the dual camera assembly – you get the same style guard on the Air 3S to protect that precious 1-inch sensor and the tele lens when in transit. The landing gear (front arms) have small extension legs. Neither drone is water-resistant (so no flying in rain), and care is needed as with any precision device, but they can handle typical use and the occasional hard landing or tip-over. The Air 3’s camera has a somewhat large protruding lens, which a reviewer noted could be vulnerable in a crash techradar.com; the Air 3S’s main camera is even larger in diameter, so you do want to use the gimbal cover and be cautious. Overall, design-wise, “there’s no real design reason to choose one drone over the other” since they share the same form-factor and even color scheme techradar.com techradar.com.

Portability for Travel: DJI markets the Air series for travelers and photographers on the go. Both drones live up to that – they strike a sweet spot between the tiny Minis and the bulkier Mavic 3/4 Pro. At ~0.72 kg, you can travel with an Air 3/3S without feeling weighed down. Many reviewers praise these drones as ideal travel companions. The Air 3S is explicitly called “the ideal drone designed for travel photography” by DJI store.dji.com. It even increased the onboard storage to 42 GB specifically so you can shoot more on trips without swapping cards techradar.com. That’s enough for roughly 30+ minutes of 4K footage. By contrast, the Air 3’s 8 GB fills up fast if you forget your SD card (which is why packing a high-capacity microSD is still recommended for either drone). Both support microSD cards up to 512 GB, so storage isn’t an issue if you plan ahead drdrone.com.

Controller and Accessories: The ecosystem around both drones is identical. If you opt for the DJI RC 2 (controller with screen), it works for both. Likewise, the new RC-N3 (updated phone controller that comes with the Air 3S) is backward-compatible; it’s basically a slightly lighter version of the Air 3’s RC-N2 with the same functionality drdrone.com. All the Air 3’s accessories (ND filter sets, propellers, batteries, charging hub, cases) are usable on the Air 3S, except the ND filters due to the larger camera size – the Air 3S needs its own ND filters to fit the new lens shape dronexl.co dronexl.co. This is good news for upgraders because you won’t need to buy a whole new suite of extras. Both drones feature the same bottom auxiliary LED light, which helps in low-light landings and can be turned on as a beacon. They also have similar status LEDs and minimal buttons (power, link button) on the body.

Portability Summary: In essence, the Air 3 and Air 3S are twins on the outside. DJI managed to keep the Air 3S “compact, weighing only 724 g, while offering an impressive 45 minutes max flight time” store.dji.com – a fact that amazed many, given the tech packed in. This means when you’re out in the field, you won’t notice a difference in how you handle or transport these drones. Both slip into the same carry case. Both are discreet looking (no bright colors or odd shapes). This also means they share the same level of noise (moderate buzz) and visibility in the sky. Pilots who need a ultra-stealth drone might go for a Mini, but those are far less capable. The Air 3/3S hits the sweet spot: portable yet “advanced travel drones” with high performance store.dji.com. There’s truly no portability penalty for choosing the newer model – impressively, DJI added hardware without adding bulk.

Price and Availability

When it comes to price, DJI took an interesting approach. The Air 3S launched at the same base price that the Air 3 had one year prior. The standard package (drone + RC-N3 controller) debuted at $1,099 USD (or £959 in the UK) for the Air 3S, identical to the Air 3’s launch price of $1,099 (£962) techradar.com techradar.com. In other words, DJI gave us the upgrades “for free” in terms of pricing. This was great news for new buyers. As TechRadar noted, “kudos to DJI for not hiking the price” with the Air 3S techradar.com. The Fly More Combos (which include two extra batteries, a charging hub, and a shoulder bag) also mirrored the Air 3 pricing: the Air 3S Fly More Combo (with RC-N3) was $1,399, and if you wanted the fancier DJI RC 2 (built-in screen) it was $1,599 at launch techradar.com techradar.com. These bundles are the same price as the Air 3 combos were initially.

As of September 2025, both models are readily available, but the landscape has shifted slightly:

  • The Air 3, having been out since July 2023, can often be found with modest discounts. Many retailers have occasionally offered it around 10% off its original price techradar.com. For example, instead of $1,099, you might see it for ~$999 or bundled with accessories. These aren’t huge price cuts, but they do make the Air 3 a tempting budget alternative if you’re price-sensitive. There is also a growing used market for the Air 3, since some owners upgraded to the Air 3S. You might score a good deal on a second-hand unit. (One drone expert pointed out that a top reason to pick the Air 3 would be if you can get a great price used thedronegirl.com.)
  • The Air 3S, being newer (released October 2024), has generally held closer to MSRP. However, by late 2025, we might see the first significant sales on it during major shopping events. In late 2024, the Air 3S wasn’t discounted much at all – it was brand new. But looking forward, keep an eye on Black Friday or holiday sales, as experts anticipated bigger discounts on the older Air 3 and possibly some deals on the Air 3S as well techradar.com techradar.com. As it stands, the price difference between the two drones is small. In some regions the Air 3S actually costs a bit more; for instance, in Canada the Air 3S launched at $1,379 CAD vs $1,139 CAD for the Air 3 (implying the Air 3 had a price drop) drdrone.com drdrone.com. But in the US and Europe, you might literally see them on shelf for nearly the same price if the Air 3 is still in stock.
  • Availability: The Air 3S had some hiccups in the U.S. at launch due to an import law issue (UFLPA) causing customs delays thedronegirl.com, but that was a temporary scenario in late 2024. Now in 2025, if you order an Air 3S from DJI or retailers, it ships normally in most regions. Both drones are part of DJI’s current lineup; DJI tends to keep selling the previous model until inventory is gone. The Air 3 is still listed at major retailers and DJI’s own store at the time of writing, though production might wind down eventually. DJI often doesn’t immediately discontinue an older model upon an “S” upgrade – they let it serve as a slightly lower-cost option. So consumers essentially have a choice: save a bit with the Air 3 or get the latest with the Air 3S.

When considering value for money, it’s clear DJI positioned the Air 3S aggressively. You’re getting quite a few flagship-level features (like a 1” Hasselblad camera and LiDAR, which used to be reserved for $1,500+ drones) at the $1,099 price point. As DroneXL’s reviewer observed, DJI likely introduced the Air 3S not to make Air 3 owners buy again, but to entice folks with older drones (like a Mini 3 Pro or Air 2S) to step up to a more premium experience dronexl.co. It’s a mid-cycle refresh strategy, much like how the Air 2S was an upgrade over the Mavic Air 2. From a value perspective, the Air 3S offers more bang for the buck – at launch price it beat the Air 3 outright in features per dollar. Meanwhile, the Air 3 still remains a very strong value if found at a discount. It was arguably the best drone under $1,200 in 2023, and that remains true if you can knock a couple hundred off its price in 2025.

In summary, new buyers are generally advised to go for the Air 3S given the minimal price difference. As TechRadar’s editor put it, if pricing is so similar, you “might as well pick up the latest model” which is the Air 3S techradar.com. But if you come across a significantly cheaper Air 3 deal (or you’re fine with used gear), the Air 3 is still an excellent drone for the money – essentially 90% of what the Air 3S offers. DJI has both options covered, and either way, you’re getting a lot of drone for your dollar.

DJI’s Latest Product Line News (2025)

DJI hasn’t slowed down since releasing the Air 3S. In fact, 2025 has been a big year for DJI’s drone lineup, with notable releases and rumors that put the Air series in context:

  • Mavic 4 Pro Launch: In May 2025, DJI unveiled the Mavic 4 Pro, the new flagship prosumer drone dji.com. This beast ups the ante with a triple-camera system including a main 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera packing a whopping 100 megapixels, paired with medium and long tele lenses (70mm and 168mm) digitalcameraworld.com. Its novel 360° “Infinity” gimbal can rotate the camera in any direction, enabling unique angled shots previously impossible on a drone digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com. The Mavic 4 Pro also boasts up to 51 minutes of flight time and improved omnidirectional obstacle avoidance (even 0.1 lux starlight capability, using its own night-vision tech) dji.com dji.com. Of course, it comes at a steep price and a heavier weight (~1063 g takeoff weight) digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com. For Air 3S owners, the Mavic 4 Pro represents the next tier – if you ever feel you’ve outgrown the Air series, the Mavic 4 Pro is the kind of machine waiting for you. But it’s over double the cost, so DJI is clearly segmenting the market. The Air 3S gives travelers and enthusiasts a lot of Mavic-level tech at a mid-range price, whereas the Mavic 4 Pro is aimed at professionals who need the absolute cutting edge (e.g. 6K video, adjustable aperture, and massive integrated storage up to 512GB) digitalcameraworld.com digitalcameraworld.com.
  • DJI Mini 5 Pro Rumors: On the opposite end, DJI’s ultra-light Mini series is also stirring excitement. Rumors of a DJI Mini 5 Pro have been swirling throughout 2025, fueled by leaked images and spec hints from reliable sources digitalcameraworld.com. While DJI hasn’t officially announced it as of September 2025, leaks suggest the Mini 5 Pro could introduce features like omnidirectional avoidance (a first for a sub-250g drone) or an improved camera sensor, making it a potentially game-changing micro drone. Tech enthusiasts noted that known DJI leakers were “posting like crazy” about the Mini 5 Pro, indicating something big is coming digitalcameraworld.com. If the Mini 5 Pro materializes, it would sit below the Air 3S in DJI’s lineup – catering to beginners or those needing a very lightweight travel drone that skirts registration laws. It shows DJI’s commitment to pushing tech into even their smallest models. Some experts (half-jokingly) said they’re more excited about what the Mini 5 Pro might bring than some of DJI’s competitors’ announcements techradar.com.
  • New Categories – Flip and Neo: DJI has also expanded into new drone categories recently. Two notable entries are the DJI Flip and DJI Neo, which launched in mid-2025. The DJI Flip is branded as an “All-in-One Vlog Camera Drone” – a compact flyer priced around $439 that targets content creators and vloggers store.dji.com. It’s foldable and designed for easy selfie videos, possibly with features like one-handed operation or automatic subject framing. Meanwhile, the DJI Neo, advertised as “Your Personal Videographer” for just $199, is an ultra-affordable, small drone aimed at novices store.dji.com. The Neo seems to emphasize autonomous follow-cam capability (imagine a tiny drone following you on a run or bike ride, acting like a personal film crew). These devices indicate DJI’s strategy to cover every niche: from high-end cinematography with the Mavic 4 Pro, to mainstream aerial photography with the Air series, down to fun/easy drones for everyday users with Flip and Neo store.dji.com. For an Air 3S or Air 3 owner, products like the Flip or Neo might not replace your main drone, but they’re interesting complementary gadgets – e.g. a Flip for quick social media clips, where the Air 3S is for your serious photography.
  • Other Releases: Additionally, DJI has kept busy with camera tech beyond drones. They released the Osmo Pocket 3 (a handheld 4K gimbal camera) and the Osmo Action 5 Pro (an action camera with class-leading image quality) in late 2024/2025, showing their ecosystem approach. For FPV enthusiasts, a DJI Avata 2 came out as a follow-up to their popular FPV cinewhoop drone store.dji.com. And in a fascinating crossover, DJI even launched the Osmo 360 camera in 2025, stepping into 360° video capture. Each of these products feeds into DJI’s ecosystem – for instance, an Air 3S pilot might use an Osmo Action 5 on the ground to complement aerial footage, or use DJI Mic 3 wireless mics when recording drone commentary.

In summary, DJI’s product line in 2025 is robust and rapidly evolving. The Air 3S sits in the middle of a lineup that ranges from the tiny Neo and Mini drones, up to the prosumer Mavic and even Inspire series. The competition in the drone world is heating up too – e.g. Insta360 launched the Antigravity A1, a drone with an onboard 360° camera for some wild new perspectives, which has industry watchers intrigued digitalcameraworld.com. But DJI’s pace of innovation (as seen with the Air 3S and Mavic 4 Pro) keeps them at the forefront. For a consumer looking at Air 3 vs Air 3S, it’s reassuring to know these drones are part of an ecosystem that DJI is continuously improving. And if you invest in one, you’re not left behind – DJI often updates firmware adding features, and many of the accessories remain compatible across models.

Which Drone is Best for You?

Both the DJI Air 3 and Air 3S are exceptional mid-tier drones, but a few key considerations can help you decide which is the better fit:

For New Buyers (No Existing Drone): If you’re just stepping up to a serious camera drone, the DJI Air 3S is the clear winner by virtue of being the latest and greatest. With the same retail price, it simply offers more: a better camera, more safety, more storage, and new shooting modes. “If you’re seeking the best photography drone for the money, the DJI Air 3S easily beats out the DJI Air 3… the answer is simple: DJI Air 3S,” says Sally French of TheDroneGirl thedronegirl.com. Essentially, there’s little reason to buy the older Air 3 unless you find it significantly cheaper. The Air 3S gives you more future-proof specs (that 1-inch sensor will hold its own longer, and features like LiDAR set it apart). It’s an easy recommendation for hobbyist photographers, travel bloggers, and even semi-pro videographers who want top performance without splurging on a Mavic 3/4 Pro.

For DJI Air 3 Owners: This is where the decision is tougher. If you already have the Air 3, upgrading to the 3S is not a night-and-day leap. Many experts advise that it’s probably not worth trading up for the relatively small upgrades. As drone reviewer Billy Kyle put it, “If you already own the Air 3, should you upgrade to the Air 3S? My answer is a pretty hard ‘no.’ These drones are so similar that it doesn’t make sense to buy a new one for the small upgrades introduced” dronexl.co. The Air 3 shares 90% of the capabilities of the 3S – your images and videos will be nearly as good, and flight performance is the same. Unless you have a specific need that the Air 3S addresses (for example, you must have the best night obstacle avoidance for frequent night shoots, or you badly need the extra internal storage or 4K120 slow-mo), you’re likely better off waiting for a more major next-gen release (perhaps an Air 4 down the line). Remember, your Air 3 batteries, accessories, and skills are all still perfectly relevant. DJI likely designed the Air 3S more to attract owners of older drones (like the Air 2S or Mini 3 Pro) rather than to make Air 3 owners upgrade after only one year dronexl.co.

Budget-Conscious Buyers: If you’re on a tighter budget and the Air 3 (or a used Air 3) comes at a sizable discount, it remains a fantastic value. The Air 3 was arguably the best mid-range drone of 2023, and that hasn’t changed. You still get dual cameras, 46 min flight time, and omnidirectional avoidance – outperforming anything else in its price bracket especially if discounted. For someone upgrading from a Mini 2 or an older Mavic Air, the Air 3 will be a revelation and could be “a great starting point” into higher-end drones drdrone.com drdrone.com. Just be aware you’re giving up the 3S’s extras. If those don’t matter to you (e.g., you never shoot panoramas or you always carry lots of SD cards so 8GB internal is fine), then by all means save some money with the Air 3 and maybe invest in extra batteries or a DJI Care Refresh plan with the savings.

Use-Case Scenarios: Consider how you’ll use the drone:

  • Travel and Landscape Photography: The Air 3S is slightly better suited for avid travel photographers. The improved dynamic range and 1” sensor will shine during golden hours and in complex lighting (mountain vistas, cityscapes at dusk). The Free Panorama mode is also tailor-made for sweeping landscapes on your trips techradar.com. If you want the absolute best image quality short of going to a Mavic 3/4 Pro, the Air 3S is your drone. However, the Air 3 is not far behind – in good light, you’d be hard pressed to tell its photos apart from the 3S’s without zooming in. Both are great for travel, fitting easily in carry-on luggage.
  • Action, Sports, and Tracking: If you love tracking subjects (cars, cyclists, yourself doing sports), both drones will do the job admirably with ActiveTrack. The Air 3S’s enhanced tracking might keep lock a bit better through occlusions store.dji.com. But the difference is minor. For high-speed pursuits, both have similar speed and acceleration. If you need the drone to be absolutely on the cutting edge for tracking reliability (maybe you do a lot of shots where the subject goes behind obstacles briefly), lean 3S. Otherwise, the Air 3 is nearly as competent.
  • Night Shots and Low Light Video: Do you plan to fly at night or in very low light often (e.g., real estate twilight shoots, city night skylines, fireworks)? The Air 3S has clear advantages: safer obstacle avoidance in darkness and a sensor tuned for low light. It will produce cleaner footage when the lights go down. One DroneXL test found the Air 3S video was darker at default settings than Air 3’s, but you can adjust exposure or use manual settings to leverage that sensor’s potential dronexl.co. For occasional night flying, both drones can do it, but the Air 3S is the safer bet (literally, it’s less likely to crash into something unseen).
  • Professional or Commercial Work: If you are getting a drone for a business (real estate, inspections, professional videography on a budget), consider that neither Air model has things like adjustable aperture or enterprise features. But they can absolutely be used professionally for many tasks. The Air 3S in particular narrows the gap to the flagship Mavic series. Clients likely won’t know the difference in image quality for most uses. If budget allows, Air 3S gets the nod for pro work due to the better camera. However, if your work is primarily daytime and you don’t need the special features, the Air 3 can save you money that you might put toward extra batteries or the RC 2 controller.

In conclusion, each drone is best suited for a slightly different user:

  • The DJI Air 3S is best for those who want the latest technology and maximum performance in a portable drone. It’s ideal for new buyers who don’t mind spending a bit more (or the same, really) to get the improved camera and safety features. It’s also great for owners of much older drones looking for a major upgrade – you’ll get wowed by the advances. Travel content creators, enthusiast photographers, and early adopters will be happiest with the Air 3S. As one reviewer said, at the current pricing the Air 3S “is the enthusiast-level model to get” techradar.com, since it’s essentially an Air 3 “plus” at no extra cost.
  • The DJI Air 3 remains a compelling choice for budget-minded enthusiasts or anyone who finds a deal too good to pass up. It’s perfect for pilots who can live without the Air 3S’s few extras and would rather save money for additional gear or trips. It’s also an “okay consolation,” to quote DroneGirl, for those who simply can’t get the Air 3S due to availability or other issues thedronegirl.com. If you’re upgrading from a tiny drone or this is your first serious drone, the Air 3 will already exceed your expectations – it stands out as “the best option, especially with its lower price point” for newcomers stepping up from the Mini series drdrone.com.

Finally, if you already own an Air 3, you can rest assured it’s still a fantastic drone in 2025. You’re not missing out on any revolutionary feature. You can achieve virtually the same shots and flight experience. In many cases, sticking with the Air 3 and honing your skills (or investing in filters and software to edit your footage) will yield better results than upgrading hardware. Remember, drones are tools – the Air 3 and Air 3S are both extremely capable ones. Choose the one that fits your needs and budget, and you really can’t go wrong. As DJI’s best mid-tier drones, both the Air 3 and Air 3S are winners, delivering high-end performance for a fraction of flagship prices. Safe flying!

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