Will the DJI Air 3S Have LiDAR? Pricing Leaks, FCC Database Filing Make Launch Look Imminent

BY Zacc Dukowitz

2 October 2024

The DJI Air 3S is getting closer and closer to launch.

The next new drone from DJI recently hit the FCC database, a move that always happens shortly before a product gets released.

Hello #DJIAIR3S. The FCC reports have been filed today. Usually this sets a countdown of a month toward the ‘official teaser’. Launch early November? Cheers! pic.twitter.com/I7ORZ8ESZf

— Jasper Ellens | X27 (@JasperEllens) September 16, 2024

As you can see in the FCC listing, the new drone has been given model number CZ3SCL by the FCC (shown in the upper right hand corner in the image above). And if you squint just a little, you can see that the Air 3S will have a 4,276mAh battery, which is just a bit bigger than the Air 3’s 4,241mAh battery.

What’s that Mysterious Sensor?

One of the biggest areas of speculation about the DJI Air 3S has been about a mysterious sensor you can see in leaked photos, like the one shown below.

The leaked images show a new sensor array positioned in the middle of the drone’s front, between the two wide-angle obstacle avoidance sensors.

This positioning is different from previous DJI models, sparking curiosity about its purpose and capabilities.

Most of the speculation about the sensor has been that it’s either:

A LiDAR sensor. Some are speculating that it could be a LiDAR sensor, which would significantly enhance the drone’s ability to map its surroundings and avoid obstacles.
A ToF sensor. Another popular theory is that it could be a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor. ToF sensors are known for their ability to accurately measure distances and create depth maps, which would be valuable for improved obstacle avoidance and tracking capabilities.

If the sensor is in fact LiDAR or ToF, it could provide several advanced features:

Enhanced obstacle avoidance, especially in challenging environments
Improved AI tracking capabilities
More accurate 3D mapping and terrain following
Better performance in low-light conditions

All this being said, some industry observers have been skeptical about the inclusion of LiDAR technology in the Air 3S, mainly because it would just be too expensive to do for a prosumer drone like the Air 3S. LiDAR sensors are typically pricey, and their inclusion might drive up the price too much to be feasible.

Pricing for the DJI Air 3S

According to another recent leak, it looks like the Air 3S will sell for about $1,270—that’s the price for the drone with the Fly More Combo, which comes with the new RC-N3 controller.

The Fly More Combo will reportedly come with:

The Air 3S drone
The RC2 controller
Three batteries
A charging hub
ND filters
Spare propellers
A carrying case

Everything We Know about the Air 3S

Based on leaked information, we know the DJI Air 3S will see some potential improvements in image and video quality, as well as possible enhancements in tracking and follow capabilities.

Here’s all the information we’ve seen so far for the 3S:

Larger sensor. The Air 3 comes with two cameras, which both have 1/1.3″ sensors. The Air 3S will also have two cameras, but it looks like one of them will get an upgrade to a larger 1″ sensor, while the secondary telephoto camera will keep its 1/1.3″ sensor.
Panorama shots. It looks like the Air 3S will offer panorama shots, with a resolution of up to 13,000 x 6,500 pixels.
Low-light photography. The Air 3S will have enhanced dynamic range for low-light photography.
Flight time. 46 minutes, same as the Air 3.
Range. 12.4 miles (20 km) with DJI O4 HD video transmission system—also same as the Air 3.
New design. Redesigned dual-camera and gimbal housing, appearing more streamlined than the Air 3.
Controller. The Air 3S will come with the RC N-3, a new DJI controller that’s pictured in leaked packaging images (shown below).

*Keep in mind that some of this information is based on speculation. We can’t be 100% sure of all the specs and features for the Air 3S, since it hasn’t yet been released.