It’s official: DJI has launched the Avata 360, its first drone constructed round 360-degree seize. I previewed what was coming earlier this month, and now we’ve the official specs and pricing.
And sure, the drone by itself is lower than $500 — and even when you go for the complete Fly Extra Combo, it’s meaningfully cheaper than its closest competitor, the Antigravity A1 drone.
Right here’s all the things you have to know concerning the DJI Avata 360 — together with the way it stacks up towards the Antigravity A1, the drone that some say compelled DJI’s hand on this route within the first place.
One necessary be aware upfront: DJI states the Avata 360 is “not formally obtainable in america through official web sites” although U.S. patrons could possibly discover it by way of third-party retailers. Extra on that under.
What the Avata 360 drone truly is
The Avata 360 is a departure from different DJI drones, such because the Mavic and Air traces, however even prior drones within the Avata line. That’s as a result of this new quadcopter is a 360-degree FPV drone.
Avata 360 digicam
Listed here are a few of its key digicam specs:
- Two 1/1.1-inch sq. CMOS sensors with 64MP efficient pixels every
- 8K/60fps HDR video
- 120MP images
- f/1.9 aperture
- 2.4μm pixels (that’s meaningfully bigger pixels than you’d discover on most action-camera-class sensors, which interprets instantly to raised low-light efficiency).
- Max video bitrate of 180 Mbps and D-Log M shade profile suppor
Like the opposite 360 digicam in the marketplace, the Antigravity A1, the Avata 360 makes use of a dual-lens setup to seize full spherical footage. However what when you don’t need that 360 type? The DJI Avata 360 has added a twist: a Single Lens mode that switches the drone into basic Avata-style forward-facing 4K/60fps filming (one thing the A1 can’t do natively). It’s a dual-mode drone, which meaningfully modifications the worth proposition.
I haven’t personally flown this drone but, although DJI shared some photographs taken from its personal creators.
And right here’s what that shot appears to be like like while you reap the benefits of that 360 view and make it a nonetheless:
Right here’s yet another akin to a regular drone shot:
Flying the Avata 360
The transmission system is DJI’s O4+, with a rated vary of as much as 20km and 1080p/60fps reside feed. Flight time is as much as 23 minutes, with a max flight distance of 13.5km. The drone consists of nightscape omnidirectional impediment sensing and built-in propeller guards — each necessary for much less skilled FPV pilots. The entrance lens aspect can also be replaceable with out sending the drone in for service, which is a welcome sensible contact.
The drone consists of omnidirectional impediment sensing (in 360° mode) supplemented by forward-facing LiDAR and a backside infrared sensor, plus built-in propeller guards.
The Avata 360 weighs roughly 455g — notably, this places it nicely above the sub-250g threshold, which issues for regulatory compliance in some markets. Within the U.S., you’ll must register with the FAA earlier than flying this drone.
For FPV flying, you’ll be able to pair it with DJI goggles and movement controllers for the immersive expertise, or fly it with normal RC controllers (RC 2, RC-N2, RC-N3) for extra conventional aerial digicam work. DJI says learners can carry out aerial acrobatics together with drifting utilizing the RC Movement 3, mirroring the expertise already obtainable on the Avata 2.
The Avata 360 workflow
Publish-production is dealt with by way of DJI Fly and DJI Studio, with options together with Highlight Free (which locks onto a transferring topic and replicates refined digicam language), ActiveTrack 360°, FPV mode (which provides roll results in put up), and a Digital Gimbal that permits infinite rotation and tilt from a single shot.
One-tap enhancing through GyroFrame permits you to alter 360° footage to a great angle and export instantly from the DJI Fly app.
Storage is 42GB inside, with Wi-Fi 6 high-speed switch that may transfer 1GB of footage to the DJI Fly app in round 10 seconds.
The way it compares to the Antigravity A1
The Antigravity A1, which I’ve lined extensively since its launch, was the primary main drone constructed round 360 seize. It launched in late 2025 at $1,599 for the Commonplace Bundle (drone, Imaginative and prescient goggles, Grip movement controller, one battery). The A1 is a sub-250g drone — a significant weight class for regulatory causes in lots of international locations — with twin 1/1.28-inch sensors capturing 8K/30fps, its personal immersive FPV goggles with micro-OLED shows, and Insta360’s confirmed “fly first, body later” workflow.
The DJI Avata 360 and the A1 are clearly competing for a similar common purchaser: creators who need immersive 360 aerial footage with out the complexity of attaching a 360 digicam to a regular drone. However they’ve some key variations:
Digital camera sensor dimension: The Avata 360’s 1-inch-equivalent sensors are bigger than the A1’s 1/1.28-inch sensors. Although I haven’t flown it myself, in follow, this implies higher low-light efficiency from the DJI. That’s a recognized weak spot of the A1, which reviewers have famous produces grainy footage in low-light situations. When you shoot at nightfall or in difficult lighting, the Avata 360 ought to have the sting.
Body price: The Avata 360 shoots 8K at 60fps. The A1 shoots 8K at 30fps (with 5.2K as much as 60fps). For slow-motion work or high-frame-rate 8K, the DJI must also win win.
Twin mode: The Avata 360’s Single Lens mode — letting it perform as a conventional 4K/60fps FPV digicam drone — additionally stands out. It’s not “simply” a 360 drone. With this providing, DJI gave us a degree of versatility the A1 doesn’t provide. When you already fly FPV and need a single drone that may do each, that’s a compelling characteristic.
Weight and portability: The A1 is sub-250g, which issues for regulatory compliance in lots of markets. The Avata 360 is available in at about 455 grams, which can matter relying on the place you fly.
Ecosystem: There’s another excuse why you may go for the Avata 360, and that’s when you already personal DJI goggles, controllers, or different equipment. The Avata 360 integrates into these current merchandise — saving you from having to pay for a semi-redundant product if you have already got them.
Regardless of who you’re, the A1 requires shopping for into a completely new ecosystem simply given the character of being a brand new product.
Value and availability: The A1 begins at $1,599 and is on the market now within the U.S. at Finest Purchase, Amazon, and elsewhere. The Avata 360 shouldn’t be formally obtainable within the U.S. by way of DJI’s personal channels — a major sensible caveat given DJI’s FCC scenario.
Purchase the Antigravity A1 if: You need a sub-250g drone; you shoot primarily in good gentle; or the “fly first, body later” workflow appeals and also you’re joyful within the Insta360 ecosystem.
Purchase the DJI Avata 360 if: You’re outdoors the U.S. or comfy with grey market buy; you already personal DJI equipment; you need the dual-mode flexibility of each 360 and conventional FPV capturing; or low-light efficiency is a precedence.
The 360 drone class that the A1 pioneered is now formally a two-horse race. That’s excellent news for creators, as competitors between DJI and Antigravity will push each merchandise ahead.
How the FCC ban performs into this
By now you’ve seemingly heard of the FCC ban, which bans all future, foreign-made drones (which would come with DJI drones, being a Chinese language firm). DJI is at present contesting its placement on the FCC’s Lined Listing, and a lawsuit is ongoing.
Nonetheless, it’s neither unlawful to purchase nor fly the DJI Avata 360. That’s as a result of DJI bought approval for the Avata 360 nicely earlier than the ban was introduced. The ban solely applies to drones looking for approval post-ban announcement, not retroactively.
The larger problem, although, is definitely getting your palms on the DJI Avata 360. DJI says the drone is “not formally obtainable in america through official web sites.” Nonetheless, U.S. patrons could possibly discover it by way of different third-party retailers, however there’s no official home retail path at launch.
Avata 360 pricing
Assuming you will get your palms on an Avata 360 drone, you should buy just a few totally different configurations.
You may get the Avata 360 drone, and pair it with some current FPV equipment, just like the DJI RC Movement 3 and DJI Goggles.
Then there’s the DJI Avata 360 Fly Extra Combo, which comes with additional equipment equivalent to a touchdown pad and case.
After which there’s the model that almost all carefully resembles the Antigravity A1 drone, which is the Movement Fly Extra Combo.
DJI hasn’t revealed official U.S. pricing, however right here’s what the drone prices in markets the place it’s formally obtainable:
- Drone-only configuration: £409 / €459 / $449 USD (Canada) / $799 AUD
- Model with the RC 2 controller: £639 / €719 / $659 USD (Canada) / $1,159 AUD
- The Fly Extra Combo — which incorporates three batteries, a two-way charging hub, sling bag, touchdown pad, spare propellers, and the RC 2: £829 / €939 / $929 USD (Canada) / $1,619 AUD
- The Movement Fly Extra Combo – which swaps the RC 2 for the movement controller setup: £829 / €939 / $929 USD (Canada) / $1,619 AUD
DJI notes that Canadian pricing is listed in USD however shouldn’t be taken as a direct proxy for an official U.S. worth. That mentioned, if the Canadian figures maintain roughly true, the Fly Extra Combo would are available meaningfully under the Antigravity A1’s $1,599 beginning worth — and the A1 solely consists of one battery.
I haven’t personally reviewed the Avata 360 but, however preserve following alongside to the Drone Lady as I attempt to get my palms on it and try it out for you.
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