The DJI Phantom 4 and Phantom 4 Pro have yet another drone-sibling, the slightly more affordable Phantom 4 Advanced.
Still capable of capturing 4K video, the new Phantom 4 Advanced boasts an impressive specification and is to supplement the flagship Phantom 4 Pro. But at only $150 less than the P4 Pro and $150 more than the original Phantom 4, this is still no entry-level drone.
Consumers will be excited to note that this model includes the prized mechanical camera shutter of the P4 Pro, providing higher quality photographic capabilities than the earlier P4 and P3 range.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”An uprated camera is equipped with a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor capable of shooting 4K/60fps video and Burst Mode stills at 14 fps. The FlightAutonomy system includes 5 vision sensors for 2-directions of obstacle sensing and forward-vision obstacle avoidance. The adoption of titanium alloy and magnesium alloyconstruction increases the rigidity of the airframe and reduces weight, making the Phantom 4 Advanced even lighter than the Phantom 4.”[/perfectpullquote]
The infrared side obstacle-avoidance sensors of the P4 Pro are not present on the P4 Advanced in order to allow for a reduction in the retail price below that of the P4 Pro.
The specification concerning onboard sensors is stated as follows via the DJI website:
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Equipped with the FlightAutonomy system made up of 5 vision sensors, dual-band satellite positioning (GPS and GLONASS), ultrasonic rangefinders andredundant sensors, Phantom 4 Advanced is able to hover precisely in places without GPS and fly in complex environments. The dual forward visionsensors can see as far as 30m out in front, and enable auto brake, hover or detour in front of obstacles within 15-meter range.”[/perfectpullquote]
With dual-compass and dual-IMU, the Phantom 4 Advanced incorporates the safety elements of its bigger brother, giving peace of mind to pilots. Its flight time of 30 minutes gives the P4 Advanced one of the longest amongst prosumer drones currently available.
However, the base price of this premium model may put off some consumers, at $1,349 this is an expensive drone, only $150 below the the current price of the P4 Pro which has a better specification, $150 more than the current baseline P4.
As with the Phantom 4 Pro, two options are available when ordering, one with a standard controller where you must attached your own smart-phone or tablet, the other option includes an integrated 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen.
How does it compare with the ‘Phantom 4 Pro’
So in general, the two models are almost identical as stated above, but there are some changes.
- Same battery life.
- Same camera.
- Same video encoding options.
- No rear vision Obstacle Avoidance sensors
- No side infrared Obstacle Avoidance sensors.
- No 5.8Ghz band support.
How does it compare with the ‘Phantom 4’
The core differences between this new P4 Advanced model and the base P4 released in 2016 are as follows:
- Lighter at 1368g (P4 Adv) vs 1380g (P4).
- Flies longer, 30 minutes (P4 Adv) vs 28 minutes (P4).
- Massively uprated camera with mechanical shutter.
- Increased obstacle sensing range 98ft (P4 Adv) vs 49ft (P4).
- Bigger battery, 5870mAh (P4 Adv) vs 5350 mAh (P4)
- Increased angular speed tilt, 250° (P4 Adv) vs 200° (P4).
We will provide a full write-up for this new model in the near future, for the time being be sure to take a closer look at the new Phantom 4 Advanced via the DJI website.
What we do know is that the DJI Event on the 23rd April will definitely not be for the P4 Advanced.
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