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DJI Air 3S vs DJI Flip

Buy the Air 3S if image quality and wind resistance matter most: its 1-inch 50MP main sensor, 48MP medium tele, forward LiDAR and 45-minute flights beat the Flip on every imaging and safety spec. Buy the Flip if you want a 249 g drone that needs no registration in most countries, folds into a palm and can launch from your hand. The Air 3S is the better camera drone; the Flip is the easier one to carry and fly.

  • Choose the DJI Air 3S if you shoot landscapes, client work or anything in wind, and want the larger sensor, the tele camera and LiDAR obstacle sensing.
  • Choose the DJI Flip if you want a sub-250 g drone with full propeller guards that travels light and skips registration in most regions.

Prices

  • DJI Air 3S: $1,039.00 at DrDrone.ca (last seen Nov 7)
  • DJI Flip: $175.60 at Le Maschere Gioielli (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the DJI Flip is $863.40 cheaper than the DJI Air 3S at the latest prices (Nov 7 and Nov 11)
DJI
DJI Air 3S

DJI Air 3S

4.2(28 ratings)
$1,039.00at DrDrone.caChecked Nov 7
See all prices and details
Visit DrDrone.ca
Pros
  • 1-inch 50MP main sensor plus a 48MP tele camera
  • Forward LiDAR and omnidirectional sensing
  • Up to 45 minutes per battery
  • 4K/120p slow motion and 4K/60p HDR
  • Strong wind resistance for its class
Cons
  • 724 g means registration in most countries
  • No propeller guards, so less safe near people
  • Bigger and heavier to pack than a mini drone
  • Needs more pilot care and space to fly
DJI
DJI Flip

DJI Flip

4.9(36 ratings)
$175.60at Le Maschere GioielliChecked Nov 11
See all prices and details
Visit Le Maschere Gioielli
Pros
  • Under 249 g, no registration in most regions
  • Foldable full-coverage propeller guards
  • Palm takeoff and landing without a controller
  • Subject tracking keeps the shot framed
  • Fits in a jacket pocket
Cons
  • Smaller sensor, weaker in low light
  • No tele camera
  • 31-minute flights, shorter than the Air 3S
  • Sensing is forward and downward only, no side or rear coverage

What separates them

DJI Air 3SDJI Flip
Takeoff weight724 g, above the 250 g line, so registration is required in most countries249 g, under the line, so no registration or exam in most countries
Main camera50MP 1-inch CMOS, much better in low light and dynamic range48MP 1/1.3-inch CMOS, f/1.7, good but a smaller sensor
Second camera48MP 1/1.3-inch medium tele for compressed close-upsSingle camera, no tele
Video4K/120p and 4K/60p HDR4K/60p HDR, 100 fps max
Obstacle sensingOmnidirectional vision plus forward LiDAR, works in low lightForward 3D infrared and downward vision only
Flight timeUp to 45 minutesUp to 31 minutes
Portability and safetyFolds but has no propeller guards and is heavier to carryFolds with full-coverage propeller guards and palm takeoff without a controller
Top speedAbout 30 mphUp to 36 mph

Price history

$1,599.00$175.60
Oct 29Nov 13
  • DJI Air 3S: lowest $1,039.00 on Nov 7 at DrDrone.ca; $1,099.00 on Nov 13.
  • DJI Flip: lowest $175.60 on Oct 30 at Le Maschere Gioielli; $639.00 on Nov 13.

Prices at every store

DJI Air 3S

  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $1,099.00Free shippingChecked 44 min ago
    Visit Newegg
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $1,099.00Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Best Buy
  • DrDrone.caNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,039.00Checked Nov 7
    Visit DrDrone.ca
  • heliguy.comNew

    Availability unknownShips from abroad · duties may apply

    $1,092.20Checked Nov 7
    Visit heliguy.com

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • PayMore AlgonquinCheck price at PayMore Algonquin

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 10 stores and price history →

DJI Flip

  • Le Maschere GioielliNew

    In stock

    $175.60Checked Nov 11
    Visit Le Maschere Gioielli
  • heliguy.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $336.00Checked 2 h ago
    Visit heliguy.com
  • King of Hobby DealsNew

    Availability unknown

    $340.09Checked Nov 6
    Visit King of Hobby Deals
  • PayMore CaryNew

    Availability unknown

    $349.99Checked Nov 11
    Visit PayMore Cary

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • Focus CameraCheck price at Focus Camera
All 24 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecDJI Air 3SDJI Flip
Controller TypeSmartphoneSmartphone
With CameraYesYes
ColorBlack, GrayGray
Weight724 g takeoff weight249 g takeoff weight
Videoup to 4K/120p, 4K/60p HDR4K/60p HDR
Gimbal3-axis mechanical, with vertical shooting3-axis mechanical (tilt, roll, pan)
Flight timeup to 45 minutesup to 31 minutes
Obstacle sensingomnidirectional vision with forward LiDARforward 3D infrared and downward vision
Video FeaturesSlow Motion, Video RecordingVideo Recording
FPS Video (max)120.0100.0
FeaturesUSB Connector, CameraPropeller Guard, Camera
Maximum transmission range1 ft42650 ft
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecDJI Air 3SDJI Flip
Video streaming quality4K1080p
BrandDJIDJI
Is foldableNY
Field of view0 º60 º
Assembled product weight6.1 lb3.25 lb
Data storage512 GB2 GB
Memory card typeMicro SDHC, Micro SDXCMicro SDXC
Sensor technologyCMOSCMOS
Image sensorCMOSCMOS
Digital video file format

What reviewers say

DJI Air 3S

  • 4.2 / 528 ratings

Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 28 ratings. Owners treat the dual cameras and long flight time as the main reasons to buy, while the weight and registration rules come up as the trade-off.

What people mention
  • Image qualityPraisedOwners say the 1-inch main camera holds detail well and beats the Air 3 in low light.
  • Tele cameraPraisedThe second camera is called genuinely useful for compressing landscapes and framing people from a distance.
  • BatteryPraisedFlyers report getting close to the claimed 45 minutes in calm conditions.
  • WeightCriticisedAt 724 g it crosses the 250 g line, so buyers note registration and licensing requirements.

DJI Flip

  • 4.9 / 536 ratings

Owners rate the Flip highly, at 4.9 out of 5 from 36 ratings. They like the light weight, the stable gimbal footage and the simple folding design. Complaints center on the limited obstacle sensing and the single included battery.

What people mention
  • WeightPraisedOwners value the 249 g takeoff weight because it keeps the drone in the lightest rules class in many countries.
  • Video qualityPraisedReviewers call the 4K/60p HDR footage sharp and well stabilized by the 3-axis gimbal.
  • Obstacle sensingCriticisedBuyers note that sensing covers only the front and downward, leaving sideways flight unprotected.
  • BatteryMixed
Reviews
  • DJI Air 3S Review: One of the Best Drones You Can Still Buy in the US - DJI Air 3S Review: One of the Best Drones You Can Still Buy in the U
  • The Best Drones for Beginners and Kids in 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Drones for Beginners and Kids in 2026
  • The Best Drones for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Best Drones for 2026

Questions and answers

Which is better for low-light photos?
The Air 3S. Its 1-inch sensor gathers much more light than the Flip's 1/1.3-inch sensor, so night shots and dusk video come out cleaner.
Do I need to register the drone?
The Flip at 249 g avoids registration in most countries. The Air 3S at 724 g requires registration in most places, including the US.
Which flies longer?
The Air 3S, at up to 45 minutes versus up to 31 minutes for the Flip. Real flights run shorter for both, but the Air 3S keeps the edge.
Is the Air 3S worth stepping up to?
Yes if you sell photos or video, shoot in wind, or want the tele camera and LiDAR. If you mostly fly casually and travel light, the Flip covers it.
Which is safer around people?
The Flip, because of its full-coverage propeller guards and lighter weight. The Air 3S has better sensing but exposed props and more mass.
Can the Flip shoot vertical video?
It records in landscape orientation. The Air 3S gimbal rotates for true vertical shooting, which matters for social media.

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4K
MP4
Digital image formatsJPEG, CinemaDNG RAWJPEG; DNG/RAW
actual_colorAir 3S Fly More Combo (RC 2）—
Battery TechnologyLi-Ion—
Intelligent Flight ModesActiveTrack, Altitude Mode, Waypoints, Obstacle…—
Voltage (V)17.2—
Capacity Memory Card (max) (GB)512—
Manual Camera SettingsShutter, ISO, Focus, Aperture—
Megapixels (MP)50.0—
Charge TypeUSB, Mains Built-in Battery—
Camera FeaturesHDR, Single Shot—
Max Resolution (Video Streaming)1080p—
Speed Limit (max) (mph)30.2—
Width (")12.8—
Weight (oz)25.5—
Height (")4.2—
Storage FormatmicroSD, microSDXC—
Flight Time (max) (min)45.0—
Battery Capacity (mAh)4276—
Owners say real flight time often falls short of the 31-minute rating, especially in wind.