DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro
The Mini 5 Pro adds a 1-inch sensor, forward LiDAR, a 225° gimbal and 42GB of storage. Neither drone is banned in the US, but DJI never officially launched the Mini 5 Pro here, and US stock of both is patchy.
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Quick answer
Choose DJI Mini 5 Pro ($759) if you want the best image quality in a mini drone, you value LiDAR obstacle sensing or you can buy from an authorized dealer and accept warranty limits. Choose DJI Mini 4 Pro ($759) if you already own one, you want official US support and Care Refresh or you can find one in stock.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check DJI Mini 5 Pro price (opens in a new tab)Check DJI Mini 4 Pro price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| DJI Mini 5 Pro | DJI Mini 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| US price (djiusa.com) | $759 | $759 (sold out) |
| Sensor | 1-inch, 50MP | 1/1.3-inch, 48MP |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional plus forward LiDAR | No LiDAR |
| Flight time (standard / Plus battery) | 36 / 52 minutes | 34 / 45 minutes |
| Internal storage | 42GB | 2GB |
Pick the DJI Mini 5 Pro if you want the best mini drone: a 1-inch sensor, forward LiDAR obstacle sensing and 42GB of storage. Tom’s Guide[6] calls it a new gold standard. It’s legal in the US, but DJI didn’t launch it here, so buy from an authorized dealer and check warranty terms. Pick the Mini 4 Pro if you already own one or you want a model DJI sold officially in the US. Trusted Reviews[7] says Mini 4 Pro owners have little reason to upgrade.
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs DJI Mini 4 Pro: side-by-side
| DJI Mini 5 Pro | DJI Mini 4 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| US price (djiusa.com) | $759 | $759 (sold out) |
| Sensor | 1-inch, 50MP | 1/1.3-inch, 48MP |
| Obstacle sensing | Omnidirectional plus forward LiDAR | No LiDAR |
| Flight time (standard / Plus battery) | 36 / 52 minutes | 34 / 45 minutes |
| Internal storage | 42GB | 2GB |
| Gimbal | 225° roll rotation | — |
| FCC status | Authorized before Dec 2025; not launched in the US by DJI | Authorized; sold officially in the US |
| Weight | 249.9g (Tom’s Guide) | — |
How much do they cost?
DJI Mini 5 Pro plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drone only | $759 | |
| Fly More Combo (RC-N3) | $959 | |
| Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) | $1,099 | Uplink Imaging lists the RC-N3 kit at $835 and the RC 2 Fly More Combo at $1,209 |
DJI Mini 4 Pro plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC-N2) | $759 | Sold out when checked |
What are the pros and cons?
DJI Mini 5 Pro: pros
- 1-inch sensor for better low light and dynamic range (Tom’s Guide)
- Forward LiDAR helps it return home even without GPS
- 42GB internal storage
- Longer flight time with the Plus battery
DJI Mini 5 Pro: cons
- Never officially launched in the US, so stock is irregular
- US warranty and Care Refresh coverage aren’t guaranteed (Uplink Imaging)
- Battery life isn’t vastly different from the Mini 4 Pro’s (Tom’s Guide)
DJI Mini 4 Pro: pros
- Sold officially in the US with Care Refresh (Uplink Imaging)
- Same $759 list price at djiusa.com
- Still a great option for most users (Trusted Reviews)
DJI Mini 4 Pro: cons
- Smaller 1/1.3-inch sensor
- Only 2GB internal storage
- Sold out at djiusa.com when checked
Which should you choose: DJI Mini 5 Pro or DJI Mini 4 Pro?
Tom’s Guide[6] says the Mini 5 Pro sets a new standard for safety and image quality in mini drones, thanks to its 1-inch sensor, LiDAR and 225° gimbal rotation. Trusted Reviews[7] says Mini 4 Pro owners have little reason to upgrade. For US buyers, availability matters as much as specs: the Mini 5 Pro is legal but reaches the US only through dealers, while Uplink Imaging points buyers who want guaranteed US support to the Mini 4 Pro.
Choose DJI Mini 5 Pro if…
- You want the best image quality in a mini drone
- You value LiDAR obstacle sensing
- You can buy from an authorized dealer and accept warranty limits
Choose DJI Mini 4 Pro if…
- You already own one
- You want official US support and Care Refresh
- You can find one in stock
FCC Covered List status
On December 22, 2025, the FCC added foreign-produced drones and drone critical components, which includes DJI, to its Covered List. The FCC says new models on the list can’t get FCC equipment authorization, so they can’t be imported or sold in the US. It also says the additions don’t prohibit the import, sale or use of existing models it previously authorized, and consumers can keep using drones they bought lawfully. Uplink Imaging says both drones were authorized before that decision, and that in May 2026 the FCC extended firmware and software updates for already-authorized drones to January 1, 2029. Uplink also notes a Section 232 tariff on imported drones since September 3, 2026, and a July 2026 FCC proposal on “military-grade” drones that hasn’t been adopted.
US availability and pricing
DroneDJ[5] reports that a DJI spokesperson said the Mini 5 Pro isn’t officially launched in the US and DJI isn’t importing it, so US units come from other countries, which can complicate warranty service. Authorized reseller djiusa.com lists the Mini 5 Pro at $759, with Fly More Combos at $959 and $1,099, and lists the Mini 4 Pro with the RC-N2 at $759, sold out. Uplink Imaging sells the Mini 5 Pro from $835 when it has stock.
Camera, sensing and flight time
Tom’s Guide[6] says the Mini 5 Pro’s 1-inch sensor, up from the Mini 4 Pro’s 1/1.3-inch sensor, improves low-light performance and dynamic range. Trusted Reviews[7] lists 50MP versus 48MP, 36 versus 34 minutes of flight time on the standard battery, and 52 versus 45 minutes with the Plus battery. The Mini 5 Pro adds forward LiDAR, 225° gimbal roll rotation and 42GB of internal storage, against 2GB on the Mini 4 Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DJI Mini 5 Pro banned in the US?
Can I keep flying my Mini 4 Pro?
Do I need to register either drone?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- FCC: Covered List FAQs, UAS and UAS critical components (fcc.gov)
- DJI USA Store (djiusa.com, run by authorized DJI reseller Focus Global Digital): DJI Mini 5 Pro (checked October 2026) (djiusa.com)
- DJI USA Store (djiusa.com): DJI Mini series, including Mini 4 Pro (checked October 2026) (djiusa.com)
- Uplink Imaging (DJI dealer): Can you buy the DJI Mini 5 Pro in the US? (uplinkimaging.com)
- DroneDJ: DJI’s most capable drones are still finding their way to US retailers (dronedj.com)
- Tom’s Guide: DJI Mini 5 Pro review (tomsguide.com)
- Trusted Reviews: DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro (trustedreviews.com)
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