26 Cons of DJI Mini 3 Pro (Review 2024)

Okay everyone, let’s dive into discussing the DJI Mini 3 Pro. It’s a drone but it definitely has its flaws. Here are some issues I’ve come across.

DJI has long been a leader in the drone industry, known for its innovative technology and high-quality products. The DJI Mini 3 Pro, with its compact design and advanced features, is no exception. However, while it has garnered much praise, there are several notable drawbacks that potential buyers should consider. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective by focusing on the cons of the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

If after considering these drawbacks, you still decide to buy the product, well done! You’re making a decision that you probably won’t regret!

Range Problems: A Rough Start

When the Mini 3 Pro was initially released it faced range issues in Canada. The drone would switch to CE mode reducing its transmission power. Although DJI addressed this problem it still highlights a range of challenges. In comparison, to high-end models like the Air 2S or Mavic 3 the Mini 3 Pro doesn’t have extensive reach and often struggles to go beyond four kilometers in open areas.

Wind Struggles: Lightweight Woes

Despite being rated for level 5 wind resistance the Mini 3 Pro encounters difficulties in conditions. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to handle. Causes it to battle against strong winds. This results in drone speed and quicker battery drainage making it tricky to capture footage when the weather is turbulent.

Weak DJI RC: Lacks Features

The DJI RC controller for the Mini 3 Pro lacks some of the features found in the RC Pro model. The screen is dimmer, at 700 nits compared to the RC Pros display at 1000 nits.
It becomes challenging to see under sunlight especially when flying outdoors.

Durability Concerns: Feels Flimsy

The Mini 3 Pro is lightweight and convenient to carry. Its construction is predominantly plastic. This may give the impression of being less sturdy compared to robust drones. In weather conditions, the durability of the drone might raise some concerns.

Slow Controller Startup: Takes Time

The new controller takes a bit of time to power up. It’s similar, to the time it takes to attach your phone to the controller. This delay can be frustrating when you’re eager to take off

Screen Visibility: Sunlight Struggles

Both the controller screen and your iPhone screen are difficult to view in sunlight. You might find yourself shielding the screen with your hand or seeking shade, which can be inconvenient.

Screen Recording Hassles: Extra Step

To record on-screen content you need an SD card for the controller. If you’re not aware of this beforehand it can lead to some inconvenience.

Controller Stick Design: Easy to Lose

The sticks on the controller are small and prone, to getting lost. The threading mechanism can also be tricky. A magnetic design would have been more practical and user-friendly

Sensor Issues: Can Be Annoying

The obstacle sensors have the potential to significantly slow down or even halt the drone movement upon detection of obstacles. This could be frustrating if you were hoping for seamless obstacle avoidance. Moreover, the absence of side sensors increases the risk of crashing during challenging flights.

Foggy Camera: Sometimes Blurry

In cases where the battery overheats there is a chance for the camera lens to fog up resulting in blurry image capture. While this occurrence is less frequent compared to models it remains an issue noting.

Active Track Problems: Not Always Reliable

The reliability of the Active Track function may be compromised, in settings where side sensors are absent. This can lead to collisions with objects reducing its effectiveness in capturing shots.

Small Sensor: Lower Quality Images

The smaller sensor size impacts image quality, under low light conditions. When compared to drones like the Mavic 3 photographs and videos may appear detailed and more compressed.

Fixed Aperture: Needs Filters

With a fixed f/1.7 aperture setting ND filters are necessary in bright daylight settings to prevent overexposure. This additional step adds complexity to your setup. Can be cumbersome at times.

Wind Performance: Stability Issues

The construction of Mini 3 Pro makes it susceptible, to stability issues when faced with conditions.
These issues can impact the stability of the drone. Hinder has the ability to capture shots especially when dealing with windy weather conditions.

No Side Sensors: Crash Risk

The absence of side obstacle detection sensors raises the likelihood of collisions when maneuvering sideways or, in surroundings. This drawback becomes significant when navigating spaces.

Battery Life: Not as Advertised

Although DJI claims the Mini 3 Pro can fly for up to 47 minutes real-world usage typically yields closer to 25 30 minutes. This limitation may pose challenges for prolonged flight missions.

Obstacle Avoidance: Not Perfect

The obstacle avoidance mechanism doesn’t consistently perform at its level. The drone sometimes halts to evade obstacles. There are instances where sensors fail to detect objects, which is less than ideal.

Return to Home: Lands Off Target

The return-to-home feature may not always hit the mark. The drone tends to touch down a few steps from its takeoff spot even after calibration. This could pose an issue for those seeking pinpoint landing accuracy.

Plastic Build: Feels Cheap

While the plastic construction keeps the drone light it gives off a sense of being flimsy and less robust compared to drones. This might raise worries for those in search of a drone.

DCinelike Color Profile Constraints; Reduced Versatility

The DCinelike color profile is constrained by an 8-bit limit, which diminishes color grading flexibility and quality. This drawback may disappoint individuals looking for level processing capabilities.

8 bit Color Depth: Challenges, with Image Quality

The Mini 3 Pros support for only 8-bit color depth may result in banding and artifacts when adjusting colors in videos impacting the visual appeal.

Connectivity Concerns; Potential Disruptions

It’s important to note the possibility of connectivity issues with the drone. While most connections remain stable there have been reported cases of signal drops, which can be problematic when flying at a distance or within signal environments.

GPS Lock Delay; Slow Initialization Process

At times the Mini 3 Pro experiences delays in acquiring a GPS lock before takeoff. This delay can be frustrating particularly if you’re eager to start flying. Waiting for a satellite connection isn’t ideal when you’re keen, on capturing footage

Propeller Noise

The Mini 3 Pro may surprise you with its noise level despite its size. The propeller noise can be quite loud which might not be ideal if you’re aiming for discretion or flying in surroundings. This noise could also be. Detract, from the enjoyment.

Storage Options: Limited Internal Storage

The Mini 3 Pro comes with internal storage space so you’ll need to make use of SD cards for most of your videos. While this may not be an issue it’s worth remembering. Ensure you have a supply of high quality SD cards to prevent running out of space while flying.

Night Time Performance; Room, for Improvement

The performance of the Mini 3 Pro in light or nighttime settings is not the best. The smaller sensor struggles to capture detailed images in environments. If flying at night or taking photos in low light conditions is essential for you this aspect should be taken into account.

Conclusion

The DJI Mini 3 Pro boasts some features. It does have its drawbacks as well. From range limitations and challenges with wind performance to concerns, about durability and sensor capabilities there are factors to consider. If you are contemplating purchasing this drone carefully evaluate these disadvantages alongside the advantages to determine if it aligns with your needs.

However, if after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM16xWaJHbU&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44FEs8jAN9Y&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gkiXZ_DjOw&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6hCaO7n35o&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4JXjsbx45U&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oAb3_Tkbdc&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPRQySeAwBY&pp=ygUbQXBwbGUgV2F0Y2ggU2VyaWVzIDkgcmV2aWV3