Greetings from Greece,

I own a mini 3 pro drone not more than a year, and the mini 4 pro appeared kicking mini 3 pro out of frame, for people who already own one. It is amazing how easy in one month's time you force your products to lose their value, while other companies keep their product's value stable for many years. At least you could keep upgrading your older products in a software matter to keep up with the newer product releases, for example adding Waypoint Flight.

It is dissapointing...

Well, I have a totally different opinion on that: I bought my Mini 3 Pro last year. It still does exactly the same really good job, as it did when I bought it. Not much more, but not less.   No there is a new Mini 4 Pro which can do some things better. OK - that is the normal way how life goes.   But I still have the drone which I bought because I thought that it is a brilliant one. - And it still is.    So I say: what exactly is your problem? Is you drone worse now? And if so why?      The car I bought several years ago does not get any updates etc. just because there are newer ones driving around now. And that is fine (at least for me).

ElleKN Posted at 11-10 03:37
Well, I have a totally different opinion on that: I bought my Mini 3 Pro last year. It still does exactly the same really good job, as it did when I bought it. Not much more, but not less.   No there is a new Mini 4 Pro which can do some things better. OK - that is the normal way how life goes.   But I still have the drone which I bought because I thought that it is a brilliant one. - And it still is.    So I say: what exactly is your problem? Is you drone worse now? And if so why?      The car I bought several years ago does not get any updates etc. just because there are newer ones driving around now. And that is fine (at least for me).

Dear friend,

I am saying that as far as it concerns software side were upgrades can be achieved, they should. My aircraft is as good as it was but in less than a months lost 400euros worth cause of a new enchanced product with an even better price which totally zeros any resale attempt... and again we are not talking about years of evolution... so i would definitely consider a fare trade for -not so- old aircraft owners a possible software upgrade. Let's agree we disagree but still... companies with the same coverage let's say apple, or samsung in technology products, upgrade their products with new features many hardware releases later.

The Mini 3 had its software updates over time and now it's coming to the end and the Mini 4 is taking over.     Just like the latest IOS features are not rolled down to all the old iPhone models.

thanosmats Posted at 11-10 04:12
Dear friend,

I am saying that as far as it concerns software side were upgrades can be achieved, they should. My aircraft is as good as it was but in less than a months lost 400euros worth cause of a new enchanced product with an even better price which totally zeros any resale attempt... and again we are not talking about years of evolution... so i would definitely consider a fare trade for -not so- old aircraft owners a possible software upgrade. Let's agree we disagree but still... companies with the same coverage let's say apple, or samsung in technology products, upgrade their products with new features many hardware releases later.

When you sign the paperwork & take ownership of a new car it instantly depreciates by 20%.  When the next year's models are released it depreciates even more.  THOUSANDS of euros in resale value is lost.  I guess no company should ever release a new product so as not to lose resale value?  We would all be flying a Phantom 1 with an original GoPro attached?

DAFlys Posted at 11-10 05:25
The Mini 3 had its software updates over time and now it's coming to the end and the Mini 4 is taking over.     Just like the latest IOS features are not rolled down to all the old iPhone models.

it seems you never had something from apple!!! Whatever mate. I'll agree we disagree!!!

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-10 06:07
When you sign the paperwork & take ownership of a new car it instantly depreciates by 20%.  When the next year's models are released it depreciates even more.  THOUSANDS of euros in resale value is lost.  I guess no company should ever release a new product so as not to lose resale value?  We would all be flying a Phantom 1 with an original GoPro attached?

What does a car has to do with an electronic device... i still can't find and point of comparison.

As i said, i agree we disagree!!!

thanosmats Posted at 11-10 06:17
it seems you never had something from apple!!! Whatever mate. I'll agree we disagree!!!

I upgrade my Apple devices yearly.    I know that my current iPhone has features my previous iPhone didn’t get via the software update.

It maybe DJI don't like to add waypoints because the Mini3Pro has not got 360° obstacle avoidance. The Mini3pro may not have the processing power or memory to enable waypoints.

Mavic57Minis Posted at 11-10 07:42
It maybe DJI don't like to add waypoints because the Mini3Pro has not got 360° obstacle avoidance. The Mini3pro may not have the processing power or memory to enable waypoints.

It has nothing to do with OA.  You can disable OA & still run a Waypoint mission.  Also, all the way back to the Phantom 2 the bird was capable of executing a fully autonomous Waypoint mission.  Even a Mavic Mini has more processing power than a Phantom 2.  So again, I don't believe processing power has anything to do with it.  

If anything it may have to do with DJI not creating a common software interface for their newer drone models.  If you think back to the Phantom 3, when the P4, Mavic Pro, Air, Mavic 2, or Spark came out, I don't recall any issue using Litchi with any of those models.  There was no waiting for a special "P4" or "Mavic Pro" SDK to be released.  It just worked because they all likely shared a common software base.  This was true all the way from the Phantom 3 until the Mavic 2.

After the Mavic 2 that is when all the model-specific SDK stuff began.  Something in the software was changed so the models were getting more unique software that wasn't amenable to a common SDK.  I bought the Mini 1 with the specific idea of having a small platform to run Litchi missions in tight quarters.  Alas, it was never to be.  I have no doubt ALL of these birds are capable of executing autonomous Waypoint missions, just for some reason DJI has chosen to make that capability available only to a select few.

thanosmats Posted at 11-10 06:18
What does a car has to do with an electronic device... i still can't find and point of comparison.

As i said, i agree we disagree!!!

The point is the life cycle for products is fast.  Whether it be phones, tablets, notebooks, televisions, drones, or cars, you get a new model virtually every year.  It is just the nature of things.  Samsung & Apple may offer OS updates to older devices, but they don't give older models all the features of the newest release.  Yet the moment that new model is released, the value of the previous model is greatly decreased.  The old model still performs every bit as well as when you first purchased it.  You are not losing anything.  You just have to decide whether the features of the new model are sufficient to justify you buying it.  
Then next year arrives and....   

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-10 08:30
The point is the life cycle for products is fast.  Whether it be phones, tablets, notebooks, televisions, drones, or cars, you get a new model virtually every year.  It is just the nature of things.  Samsung & Apple may offer OS updates to older devices, but they don't give older models all the features of the newest release.  Yet the moment that new model is released, the value of the previous model is greatly decreased.  The old model still performs every bit as well as when you first purchased it.  You are not losing anything.  You just have to decide whether the features of the new model are sufficient to justify you buying it.  
Then next year arrives and....

It's a never ending cycle.  

I reckon they are looking at say a new Samsung phone, i think they receive new android and oneui updates for a few years.

I am sure the previous version of DJI's drones do get 1 or 2 of the latest model upgrades, i am sure the Mini 2 got something that the Mini 3 Pro came out with i just cannot remember what it was now...
The fact the since the Mini 3 Pro 1st came out, the members have been asking for Waypoints, actually there's a few things we were asking for and whoa and behold, DJI hold them back and add them to the Mini 4 Pro, thats poor form IMO. That just tells us one thing, DJI do listen but you ain't going to get it, they will use our ideas for the next iteration.

Bashy Posted at 11-10 18:05
I reckon they are looking at say a new Samsung phone, i think they receive new android and oneui updates for a few years.

I am sure the previous version of DJI's drones do get 1 or 2 of the latest model upgrades, i am sure the Mini 2 got something that the Mini 3 Pro came out with i just cannot remember what it was now...

Think about it for a second...

It is far cheaper and clever to releasing another drone with the bugs fixed and improvements applied and charge the goofy customer for it, than pay someone to actually work to fix the previous model where the customer is complaining about...

Once the previous model is out of production, as far as DJI concern, it is no longer broken...

Hi, thanosmats. We completely understand where you are coming from. Though there are newer released drones, rest assured we will still continue to support the Mini 3 Pro with updates and services. I will forward your feedback to the related department. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Burt37 Posted at 11-10 18:18
Think about it for a second...

It is far cheaper and clever to releasing another drone with the bugs fixed and improvements applied and charge the goofy customer for it, than pay someone to actually work to fix the previous model where the customer is complaining about...

Whats wrong with it?

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-10 08:30
The point is the life cycle for products is fast.  Whether it be phones, tablets, notebooks, televisions, drones, or cars, you get a new model virtually every year.  It is just the nature of things.  Samsung & Apple may offer OS updates to older devices, but they don't give older models all the features of the newest release.  Yet the moment that new model is released, the value of the previous model is greatly decreased.  The old model still performs every bit as well as when you first purchased it.  You are not losing anything.  You just have to decide whether the features of the new model are sufficient to justify you buying it.  
Then next year arrives and....

Oh yes, but now the Phones like the Drones are suddenly called 'PRO'.

A Professional Drone and now a Professional Phone ?

Except the previous PRO model now isn't quite as PRO as the new one.

But clearly if it's not got PRO it's inferior and not worth having......

It's all corporate marketing jargon and utter crap to seduce the buyer.

There is less and less room for hardware improvements on each new iteration, so manufacturers will try to sell software features instead to keep the new models interesting. This is sadly a reality we are currently living, and it is a widespread approach across the whole tech industry.

It’s disappointing that people keep expecting DJI to provide them everything for every older model. It doesn’t work that way. Be happy with what you got. If you want the features from the Mini 4 Pro, then purchase one. You are acting spoiled and bratty like a child.

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-10 06:07
When you sign the paperwork & take ownership of a new car it instantly depreciates by 20%.  When the next year's models are released it depreciates even more.  THOUSANDS of euros in resale value is lost.  I guess no company should ever release a new product so as not to lose resale value?  We would all be flying a Phantom 1 with an original GoPro attached?

You took the words right out of my mouth and previous situation. Lol

Apparently some people were not around in the early cellphone days where it was common to not only wipe out your previous mobile phone's hardware in an instant but also from a sw perspective, too.

You have a great phone one day and the very next day you have a brick that couldn't text message or make a video call or it didn't have bluetooth or wifi and it couldn't roam everywhere.  The next phone had custom ringers and a microSD card slot and the battery was double.  You literally had *nothing* have the seen the piles of worthless mobile phones in landfills?

Give DJI some time, it's still early in the drone business *and* they have no competition.

The Saint Posted at 11-11 10:53
Apparently some people were not around in the early cellphone days where it was common to not only wipe out your previous mobile phone's hardware in an instant but also from a sw perspective, too.

You have a great phone one day and the very next day you have a brick that couldn't text message or make a video call or it didn't have bluetooth or wifi and it couldn't roam everywhere.  The next phone had custom ringers and a microSD card slot and the battery was double.  You literally had *nothing* have the seen the piles of worthless mobile phones in landfills?

In a way the drones are reaching a level of maturity similar to phones.  You reach a point where it is difficult to achieve a significant or innovative improvement.  With the phones you usually get a slight camera bump, a bell or whistle here & there, perhaps a new color, & not really much else.  The displays are pretty much as good as they ever need to be.  Perhaps a bit more battery life or a fringe bump like 10G.  How much better can a cellular phone get?

Drones are approaching a similar state.  Consider a Mavic 3 Pro, Air 3, & Mini 4 Pro.  How much room is there for further improvement?  They all fly great with smooth & precise control.  I recently flew my Phantom 2 Vision+.  I had forgotten how twitchy & imprecise the P2 reacts to stick inputs.  I see it when I watch my old P2 videos.  A Mavic 3 Pro could get O4.  It already has a 4/3 sensor, 3 cameras, & 45 minute flight time. With the addition of O4, all of these birds can outfly their battery range.  I suppose they could upgrade the sensor on the Air 3 & Mini 4 to a 1" or 4/3, or include a variable aperture lens, but is it even necessary?  For the Mini 4 these changes might be difficult to implement while staying under 250 grams.

With drone tech as good as it is, I see future models being more refinement as opposed to massive new features.  Improvements in OA for instance.  My most desired new feature would be unleashing the LTE control already lying dormant within these models.  

Burt37 Posted at 11-10 18:18
Think about it for a second...

It is far cheaper and clever to releasing another drone with the bugs fixed and improvements applied and charge the goofy customer for it, than pay someone to actually work to fix the previous model where the customer is complaining about...

By golly you've nailed it!  DJI is just another nefarious mega company out to stick it to the little guy!  

You tell 'em Toot.  Stand up for the working man!   

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-11 13:26
By golly you've nailed it!  DJI is just another nefarious mega company out to stick it to the little guy!  

You tell 'em Toot.  Stand up for the working man!

We can't be all cocksuckers such as yourself....

I'm glad we got this one sorted...

Burt37 Posted at 11-11 17:44
We can't be all cocksuckers such as yourself....

I'm glad we got this one sorted...

We can't be all cocksuckers such as yourself....

It's been great knowing ya, Toot.  

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-11 20:20
We can't be all cocksuckers such as yourself....

It's been great knowing ya, Toot.

Is it a promise?  

Burt37 Posted at 11-11 23:28
Is it a promise?

I enjoy the verbal sparring, but I do believe you may have pressed the envelope too far this time.  All that time spent in the hands of inmates appears to have coursened your language beyond the bounds of forum decorum.  

Cheerio, Toot...

P.S. Your last name isn't Bender by chance?   Your behavior has an odd familiarity.   

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-11 11:15
In a way the drones are reaching a level of maturity similar to phones.  You reach a point where it is difficult to achieve a significant or innovative improvement.  With the phones you usually get a slight camera bump, a bell or whistle here & there, perhaps a new color, & not really much else.  The displays are pretty much as good as they ever need to be.  Perhaps a bit more battery life or a fringe bump like 10G.  How much better can a cellular phone get?

Drones are approaching a similar state.  Consider a Mavic 3 Pro, Air 3, & Mini 4 Pro.  How much room is there for further improvement?  They all fly great with smooth & precise control.  I recently flew my Phantom 2 Vision+.  I had forgotten how twitchy & imprecise the P2 reacts to stick inputs.  I see it when I watch my old P2 videos.  A Mavic 3 Pro could get O4.  It already has a 4/3 sensor, 3 cameras, & 45 minute flight time. With the addition of O4, all of these birds can outfly their battery range.  I suppose they could upgrade the sensor on the Air 3 & Mini 4 to a 1" or 4/3, or include a variable aperture lens, but is it even necessary?  For the Mini 4 these changes might be difficult to implement while staying under 250 grams.

On the whole I agree with what you say, you can only develop so much especially when you are trying to keep the package under 249 grams.

I think probably the major and regular improvements we will see like phones of late is going to be picture quality.

Personally I think DJI are making the error assuming that most people want to shoot video with their drone, and while they do shoot great video, the still shots I feel aren't quite up to same standard yet.

That is what I primarily brought my M3P for, stills, and using the same chip in the M4P that surprisingly hasn't improved in the latest model. I'm sure they will get there eventually, with better chips and less compression.....and that means not advertising 48mp when they aren't !

Cheers

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-12 07:53
I enjoy the verbal sparring, but I do believe you may have pressed the envelope too far this time.  All that time spent in the hands of inmates appears to have coursened your language beyond the bounds of forum decorum.  

Cheerio, Toot...

Thank you. I just won another bet... I knew you couldn't resist...

You are very predictable and not very original...

Considering that you are aspiring to be a good keyboard warrior, you will also need a good set of balls...

You seem to have too much sand left in your little flower... Now, I bet this sound familiar..

Later...

You did buy yours well over a year later since its inception, i mean, you can buy a new carlast day in August and a new model will make it old hat the very next day, but had you bought it last september then you would have had a year with it.

Dirty Bird Posted at 11-11 11:15
In a way the drones are reaching a level of maturity similar to phones.  You reach a point where it is difficult to achieve a significant or innovative improvement.  With the phones you usually get a slight camera bump, a bell or whistle here & there, perhaps a new color, & not really much else.  The displays are pretty much as good as they ever need to be.  Perhaps a bit more battery life or a fringe bump like 10G.  How much better can a cellular phone get?

Drones are approaching a similar state.  Consider a Mavic 3 Pro, Air 3, & Mini 4 Pro.  How much room is there for further improvement?  They all fly great with smooth & precise control.  I recently flew my Phantom 2 Vision+.  I had forgotten how twitchy & imprecise the P2 reacts to stick inputs.  I see it when I watch my old P2 videos.  A Mavic 3 Pro could get O4.  It already has a 4/3 sensor, 3 cameras, & 45 minute flight time. With the addition of O4, all of these birds can outfly their battery range.  I suppose they could upgrade the sensor on the Air 3 & Mini 4 to a 1" or 4/3, or include a variable aperture lens, but is it even necessary?  For the Mini 4 these changes might be difficult to implement while staying under 250 grams.

Theres a few things that could be added but then it may eat into the Mavic range, 1" sensor and or variable aperture. The camera alone would always improve, its the "other" additions that may stagnate and innovation will always be harder to achieve with a Mini.

Burt37 Posted at 11-12 13:35
Thank you. I just won another bet... I knew you couldn't resist...

You are very predictable and not very original...

One should always know when one has gone too far, apparently, you do not.

What we see over the years is that there is always at least one member at any one time that seems to argue from what appears to be just for the sake of it with other members, and they seem to latch on to one particular member although not exclusively, it looks like its you time to shine.

Bashy Posted at 11-12 19:32
One should always know when one has gone too far, apparently, you do not.

What we see over the years is that there is always at least one member at any one time that seems to argue from what appears to be just for the sake of it with other members, and they seem to latch on to one particular member although not exclusively, it looks like its you time to shine.

Burt37 Posted at 11-13 01:12
[view_image]

I do not know what you mean by this post, there's no context but more importantly, not topic-related.
Ah, i get it, took a few days, but what youre saying is, people in glass houses... lol
Seen as i was referring to the vulgar name calling, so you still dont realise that you went too far, therefore, your pictionary reply is moot because ive never done that and I dare you to find a post of mine that includes such vulgarity, this will keep you busy ;)

I understand your disappointment that the release of the Mini 4 Pro has diminished the perceived value of your Mini 3 Pro drone. It's natural to feel this way, especially since you've only had your Mini 3 Pro for a short period of time.  While it's true that the Mini 4 Pro offers some new features and improvements over the Mini 3 Pro, it's important to remember that your drone is still a capable and valuable piece of equipment. It can still capture stunning photos and videos, and it has a long range and battery life.  It's also worth noting that the release of new products is a constant reality in the tech industry. This is how companies stay competitive and continue to innovate. While it can be frustrating to see your product become outdated, it's also a sign that the technology is constantly advancing and improving.  In the case of drones, there are a number of things you can do to extend the life of your Mini 3 Pro and get the most out of it:  Keep it updated with the latest firmware. DJI regularly releases firmware updates for its drones that add new features, improve performance, and fix bugs. Take care of your drone. This means storing it properly, cleaning it regularly, and avoiding flying it in harsh conditions. Join online communities for drone enthusiasts. This is a great way to learn new tips and tricks for flying your drone and get help if you have any problems. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro is up to you. However, I hope this information helps you make an informed decision that is right for you.