DJI Avata 360 Drone Leaks Ahead of Official Reveal, Arrives Just in Time

Photo credit: Igor Bogdanov
As December arrives, bringing with it all the Christmas happiness and regulatory red tape we’ve come to expect at this time of year, DJI throws another curveball into the mix. The Avata 360, their most ambitious attempt yet to combine the thrill of FPV with the all-around video recording capabilities we’ve grown to love, has cleared the final obstacle in its quest to enter US markets. Leaks from FCC filings, rumors from the supply chain, and new photographs of the packaging have all but revealed what’s in store: a drone that’s as content flipping between high-octane aerobatics and silky smooth spherical footage as it is evading the ban hammer that swings on December 23rd.

The Avata 360 reportedly weighs just 377 grams, making it light enough for quick handling but not so heavy that it’s difficult to pull off the shelf. But this is no fragile thing; the frame is a solid complete sphere of carbon fibre and flexible TPU that absorbs the impact of those inevitable mid-air scrapes. Try barrel rolls, inverted loops, or even falling headfirst into a tight canyon; those props will barely get a whisper from the propwash as the contained design does its best to keep them out of harm’s path. The color palette leans toward stealthy black with bursts of brilliant orange, giving it a distinct edgy appearance that helps it stick out in the air. Unfolded, it fits neatly inside your bag like any other Avata; nevertheless, when you pop it out and unfold it, you can’t help but notice the difference.

So the true showpiece is up front: a dual-camera configuration that fits two 1/1.1-inch CMOS sensors (yes, you read that correctly – TWO of them) into a revolving chassis that revolves a full 90 degrees. With the push of a button on the joystick, the camera flawlessly transitions from capturing every last detail in stunning 360-degree glory to locking straight ahead for some classic FPV action. There’s no need to sit there messing with software later to get the most out of your footage; everything flows seamlessly and is ready to use. These sensors can handle 8K film at 50 frames per second in spherical mode, but decrease to 4K at 120 fps when using the more usual forward-facing perspective. And if you want to take a photo, the resolution is a reasonable 38 megapixels, giving you plenty of room to be creative with your panoramas.


Photo credit: The New Camera
The power comes from a beefed-up battery, which tackles one of the Avata line’s long-standing issues. With a 26% bigger capacity than the Avata 2’s pack and a 38.67 watt-hour battery with 14.32 volts, flights should last between 25 and 31 minutes on a full charge, depending on how hard you drive the drone. The motors are also 34% more efficient, giving you more power in both hovers and sprints. The landing gear folds away easily, but the sphere also functions as a crumple zone, allowing you to put it down in some pretty rugged spots without anything to worry about. FCC filings also indicate that an extended battery option is on the way.

Safety receives a significant boost here, transforming reckless dives into calculated risks. Four sensors point out ahead, two of which are video cameras with LiDAR to provide accurate depth readings, while the other two are slung out to the sides to keep an eye out for anything coming from the side. When the drone is in the air, it will track and focus on moving targets like as cyclists or cars while avoiding trees and other obstacles in its path. Being able to scan in all directions reduces your chances of being caught off guard at high speeds, and even when the camera is spinning around, the technology functions flawlessly. When combined with the new DJI Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 controller, OcuSync 4.0 provides a view of up to 20 km on a clear day, and the signal remains strong even when flying over trees or over water.


Flying this thing starts to feel like an extension of your brain, especially if you’ve already flown the Avata 2. In manual mode, the drone can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h, and there is a “turtle mode” that aids in the recovery of a flip. The software allows you to select from regular, sport, and manual flight styles, as well as pre-programmed ‘cinematic courses’ for automatic follow. The stabilization is all courtesy to DJI’s RockSteady technology, and they’ve recently included HorizonInfinity to keep your horizon level even when the drone is performing some pretty wild rolls. You can edit 360 footage immediately in the app, either spinning it into a standard image or turning it into a VR experience on the go. For creatives, this means that you can shoot an entire shot on a single battery, chase a surfer in FPV, and then stitch the waves together to produce a full 360-degree view without changing anything.

According to leaked prices, the Fly More Combo will cost $999, which is only $79 more than the entire Avata 2 bundle. The bundle contains three batteries, a charging hub, and a goggles-motion controller combo. If you simply want the drone, it will cost roughly $920, and the top-of-the-line “Ultimate Creator” version is expected to cost $1,799, which includes ND filters and editing software licenses. The Avata 360 is slightly less expensive than the Insta360 Antigravity A1, which will be available next month for $1,599, and it has the flip-to-FPV option, which the A1 does not. Just don’t anticipate any built-in legs; the cage is designed to withstand harsh landings.
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