DJI Air 3S rumoured to feature new camera, gimbal and obstacle avoidance technology with possible LiDAR sensor also mooted

Pre-release videos showcasing one of DJI's next drones are coming thick and fast. A few days ago, several sources showcased a short clip of the Air 3S during an alleged test flight, coverage of which we have provided separately. Now, @Quadro_News has shared footage of a second clip and has started speculation about various camera hardware upgrades that DJI has planned for the Air series.

To recap, the leaker previously asserted that the Air 3S would arrive with a 1-inch type sensor underpinning its primary camera. Unfortunately, details in this regard remain unknown for now. With that being said, the drone appears to sport an upgraded gimbal system, as well as an updated camera housing. In other words, it seems unlikely that DJI will carry over the camera hardware from the Air 2S or Air 3 (curr. $1,549 on Amazon).

Additionally, the Air 3S has an element between its obstacle avoidance cameras that its predecessors lack. As a result, the likes of Drone XL speculate that DJI may be preparing to offer Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) in the Air series for the first time. For context, while DJI started integrating LiDAR sensors into its commercial drones a few years ago, this technology has not graduated to its consumer drones yet. Theoretically, this could not only provide improved obstacle avoidance but also more accurate autonomous flying. Sadly, it is still unclear when DJI intends to release the Air 3S, let alone for how much.