DJI Mavic 3 Pro vs Mavic 4 Pro: Which Drone Should You Choose in 2025?

DJI’s Mavic line has set the standard for aerial photography and videography. The Mavic 3 Pro has been a flagship professional and enthusiast drone since its launch. But with the release of the Mavic 4 Pro in 2025, DJI took a leap ahead. If you’re questioning whether it’s worth upgrading, or which drone to buy for your purpose, this guide simplifies the comparison in all major categories — design, camera, flight performance, and more.

Design and Build

In the first look, both the drones have the same foldable design that DJI has perfected over time — small, travel-friendly, and ready to use within seconds. The Mavic 3 Pro is a bit lighter, but the Mavic 4 Pro has a more heavily reinforced composite body that provides better ruggedness, particularly for long field deployments.

One of the most apparent design improvements is in the gimbal. While the Mavic 3 Pro has a 3-axis stabilized gimbal, the Mavic 4 Pro boasts a new 360-degree rotating “Infinity Gimbal.” This makes full roll motion and more cinematic, dynamic shots possible, which were only achievable before with professional rigs or heavy-lift drones.

Camera Capabilities

Camera performance is where the Mavic 4 Pro takes the greatest step forward. The Mavic 3 Pro has a triple-camera system with a 20MP 4/3″ CMOS Hasselblad primary sensor, a 48MP medium telephoto, and a 12MP long-range zoom. The system is highly versatile and appropriate for everything from landscape photography to wildlife and inspections.

By comparison, the Mavic 4 Pro brings everything to a higher level. It comes equipped with a 100MP Hasselblad 4/3″ CMOS main camera sensor — a huge improvement — supplemented by a 50MP medium telephoto and 48MP zoom. The result is an unparalleled level of clarity, depth, and resolution in this size range.

The video functions are also outstanding. While the Mavic 3 Pro captures as high as 5.1K at 50fps and 4K at 120fps, the Mavic 4 Pro takes it further to 6K HDR at 60fps, providing smoother video with even more dynamic range. For content creators, filmmakers, and surveyors, this might be the clincher.

The Mavic 4 Pro also makes available vertical shooting, better low-light performance, and enhanced subject tracking — perfect for reels, TikToks, and Instagram videos, and more accurate commercial photography.

Flight Performance

The Mavic 3 Pro boasts a solid reputation with a maximum of 43 minutes of flight time and a flying speed of around 47 mph. It is able to withstand winds of up to 10.7 m/s and employs the O3+ transmission system for smooth video transmission up to 15 kilometers away.

The Mavic 4 Pro does it all even better. It has an industry-leading max flight time of 51 minutes per charge — nearly 20% more. It’s also quicker, reaching up to about 56 mph, and can handle stronger winds with improved stability. The new O4+ transmission system improves connectivity and range, particularly in areas where it might be remote or heavy with interference.

Storage and Workflow

On storage, the Mavic 3 Pro comes with 8GB onboard storage, but there’s also a 1TB SSD on the Cine model. It accepts microSD cards and allows standard USB-C file transfer rates.

The Mavic 4 Pro comes with 512GB onboard storage on the Creator Combo set and allows for faster data transfer. It’s more workflow-oriented, particularly when filming high-res 6K videos or with time-sensitive projects.

If you frequently shoot in the field and have to transfer footage in a hurry, Mavic 4 Pro ensures you spend less time on transferring and more on shooting.

Obstacle Avoidance and Safety

The Mavic 3 Pro is paired with either the DJI RC (a small controller that has an integrated screen) or the high-end DJI RC Pro. The experience is silky smooth, and the 700-nit display is visible outdoors.

The Mavic 4 Pro takes it up a notch with the new DJI RC Pro 2 — 7-inch screen with 2000 nits of brightness. It also features several ports (microSD, HDMI, USB-C), has third-party app support, and enhanced thermal management. As a value for professional flyers or those who plan to fly for extended periods, this controller brings a lot of value with enhanced viewing and ergonomic improvements.

Controller Experience

The Mavic 3 Pro is paired with either the DJI RC (a small controller that has an integrated screen) or the high-end DJI RC Pro. The experience is silky smooth, and the 700-nit display is visible outdoors.

The Mavic 4 Pro takes it up a notch with the new DJI RC Pro 2 — 7-inch screen with 2000 nits of brightness. It also features several ports (microSD, HDMI, USB-C), has third-party app support, and enhanced thermal management. As a value for professional flyers or those who plan to fly for extended periods, this controller brings a lot of value with enhanced viewing and ergonomic improvements.

Intelligent Flight Features

DJI Mavic 4 Pro

The Mavic 4 Pro includes even more smarts. It has Smart Capture 3.0, subject re-identification, and enhanced waypoint navigation. You can also automate gimbal roll transitions due to the Infinity Gimbal system — getting your drone to act even more like a handheld Steadicam in the air.

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

The Mavic 3 Pro comes pre-installed with features such as FocusTrack, MasterShots, Hyperlapse, and ActiveTrack 5.0. These enable automated flight routes and intelligent subject following making it possible to shoot alone.

Final Verdict: Which Drone Should You Buy?

Select the DJI Mavic 4 Pro if you’re:

• A professional filmmaker, surveyor, or creator who needs the best camera in a portable drone.
• Interested in groundbreaking features like 6K HDR video, 360-degree gimbal motion, and extended flight time.

Choose the DJI Mavic 3 Pro if you’re:

• A serious enthusiast or professional looking for a top-tier drone with excellent camera versatility and proven reliability.
• Want a budget friendly but still need pro-level quality.

Closing Thoughts

The Mavic 4 Pro is unquestionably the more sophisticated device — wiser, quicker, more powerful, and more forward-thinking. Yet the Mavic 3 Pro is still an amazing drone that still stands its ground in 2025. Your choice ultimately comes down to where you are, what you’re trying to shoot, and how much versatility you desire in your workflow.

Either way, with DJI’s innovation and craftsmanship, you’re sure to own one of the most capable drones available.

Whether you’re inclined towards the Mavic 3 Pro for its tested reliability or the Mavic 4 Pro for its advanced features, XBOOM has everything you need. Discover the best offers, bundles, and expert recommendations — all at unbeatable prices, only at XBOOM.