OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Drones Methodology v3.0
Drones Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Drones Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Drones Methodology v3.0

Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K review: 97 specs compared

Avg. price:~£330Max flight time:27 minVideo resolution:4K/30 fpsMax transmission distance:3 km

Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K Review: Compare 97 technical specifications and 48 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Drones category and whether it is worth buying.

Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K
7.5/10

Overall score

Score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Score components

35%

6.4

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

8.5

Reviews score

10%

8.6

Sentiment score

â–²Better than 67% of drones
7.9

Value for money

Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the drone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a drone with a good balance between flight quality, camera features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components

70%

7.5

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

â–²Better than 75%
6.4

Technical score

Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

26%

6.2

Flight

24%

6.2

Camera

20%

6.7

Safety

16%

6.0

Connectivity

14%

7.3

Battery & Design

â–²Better than 59%
8.5

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.5 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 78% of models

80%

8.4

Average grade

20%

9.1

Popularity

Grades by review (48)
9 reviews + 39 videos, average 8.4/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 78%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • xiaomi-mi-drone-4k
xiaomi-mi-drone-4k
Where to buy
    N/A~ £330
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K

Based on 10 · 48

Reviewers like its handling, camera and value, but battery and charging draw near-universal complaints, and range splits opinion.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K

Based on 218 owners sharing their experience in online comments

40%positive31%mixed29%negative

Owners praise its sharp footage, smooth flight and strong value, while connection, battery and gimbal problems frustrate many.

What owners dislike

  • Owners say the phone or tablet fails to connect by USB cable, so they have to use the Wi-Fi dongle, and the app sometimes stops recognising the drone.24
  • Owners report gimbal failures, including the camera not connecting, the gimbal tilting or shaking, and horizon levelling that stays off even after calibration.21
  • Owners report battery faults such as cell voltage imbalance, over-discharge, and batteries that will not charge, with replacement batteries hard to find.16
  • Owners say the drone does not cut its motors after landing and can tip over, and that compass errors or GPS problems stop it from taking off.14
  • Owners report recordings that stop after about 25 to 50 seconds, TF card errors, dropped frames, and missing audio, often linked to the SD card used.14
  • Owners report the live video feed lagging, stuttering or dropping, sometimes from about 10 to 100 metres away, and when using the Wi-Fi dongle.10
  • Owners say app and firmware updates are hard to get or stop working on newer phones and iOS versions, and the app is no longer supported.10
  • Owners say no-fly-zone limits block takeoff in areas they consider legal, and beginner mode caps flight at 500 metres with no clear way to lift the limit.8
  • Owners say the drone is bulky and does not fold, so it is awkward to carry on trips.7
  • Owners say the signal cuts out at around 100 to 500 metres, well short of the advertised range.6

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of drone Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K

Technical score
Technical score
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components:

26%

6.2

Flight

24%

6.2

Camera

20%

6.7

Safety

16%

6.0

Connectivity

14%

7.3

Battery & Design

6.4
Reviews score
8.5
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the drone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a drone with a good balance between flight quality, camera features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 75% of models
Score components:

70%

7.5

Overall score

30%

8.8

Price

7.9
Max flight time
27 min
Market range: <8 min – >40 min
This drone has a max flight time of 27 min, longer than 61% of drones and equal to 0.5% of drones.
Real-world flight time is often lower than the advertised maximum.
Max flight distance
2 km
Market range: <0.05 km – >24 km
This drone has a max flight distance of 2 km, farther than 51.9% of drones and equal to 3.3% of drones.
Maximum range varies by region (for example FCC vs CE).
Max flight speed
18 m/s
Market range: <4 m/s – >21 m/s
This drone has a max flight speed of 18 m/s, faster than 68.4% of drones and equal to 8.2% of drones.
Max wind resistance
10 m/s
Market range: <3.3 m/s – >12 m/s
This drone has max wind resistance of 10 m/s, lower than 59.7% of drones and equal to 5% of drones.
Max service ceiling (ASL)
500 m
Market range: <120 m – >6k m
This drone has a max service ceiling of 500 m, lower than 64.2% of drones and equal to 0.8% of drones.
Altitude limit set in the app.
Show more
What reviewers say
Video resolution
4K/30 fps
This drone records video at 4K/30 fps, higher than 58.4% of drones and equal to 20.3% of drones.
4K camera
yes
This drone supports 4K video. 46% of drones support 4K video.
Sensor size
1/2.3"
This drone has a sensor size of 1/2.3", smaller than 52.8% of drones and equal to 12% of drones.
Main camera megapixels
12.4 MP
Market range: <2 MP – >48 MP
This drone has a main camera resolution of 12.4 MP, higher than 60% of drones.
Max movie bitrate
100 Mbps
Market range: <40 Mbps – >180 Mbps
This drone has a max movie bitrate of 100 Mbps, higher than 30.3% of drones and equal to 29% of drones.
Show more
What reviewers say
Obstacle detection
no
This drone does not support obstacle detection. 31% of drones support obstacle detection.
Return to Home (RTH)
yes
This drone supports Return-to-Home (RTH). 33% of drones support Return-to-Home (RTH).
GPS
yes
This drone supports GPS. 35.3% of drones support GPS.
GNSS systems supported
GPS, GLONASS
This drone supports GPS, GLONASS GNSS systems, which are more comprehensive than those of 49.8% and the same as those of 17.1%.
Obstacle sensing directions
N/A
Show more
What reviewers say
Max transmission distance
3 km
Market range: <0.05 km – >15 km
This drone has a max transmission distance of 3 km, farther than 55.6% of drones and equal to 2.6% of drones.
Value reflects rated control or transmission distance; live video range can be lower.
Transmission latency
?
Video transmission system
Wi-Fi
This drone uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, which is more advanced than the system used by 8.2% and the same as that used by 47.7%.
Live view quality
720p@30 fps
This drone offers live view quality of 720p@30 fps, lower-quality than 56.8% of drones and equal to 22.9% of drones.
Remote control
yes
This drone has a handheld remote controller. 5% of drones offer this.
Show more
What reviewers say
Battery capacity
5,100 mAh
Market range: <550 mAh – >5k mAh
This drone has a battery capacity of 5,100 mAh, larger than 91.2% of drones.
Battery energy
77.52 Wh
Market range: <3.7 Wh – >77 Wh
This drone has battery energy of 77.52 Wh, higher than 91.2% of drones.
Charging time
100 min
Market range: <55 min – >180 min
This drone charges in 100 min, slower than 60.6% of drones and equal to 1.3% of drones.
Weight
1,376 g
Market range: <80 g – >920 g
This drone weighs 1,376 g, heavier than 97.4% of drones.
Removable battery
yes
This drone has a removable battery. 0.5% of drones have a removable battery.
Show more
What reviewers say

Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K vs the average drone

246810TotalFlightCameraSafetyConnectivityBattery & Design
  • 2,900 mAh more battery capacity
    This drone has a larger battery capacity than the average drone (5,100 mAh vs 2,200 mAh). The average drone battery has a capacity of 2,200 mAh.
    5,100 mAh vs 2,200 mAh
  • 60.34 Wh more battery energy
    This drone has higher battery energy than the average drone (77.5 Wh vs 17.18 Wh). The average drone battery has 17.18 Wh of energy.
    77.52 Wh vs 17.18 Wh
  • 3 more gimbal axes
    This drone has more gimbal axes than the average drone (3 vs 0). The average drone has 0 gimbal axes.
    3 vs 0
  • Captures RAW photos
    This drone can capture RAW photos, while the average drone cannot.
  • Supports QuickShots
    This drone supports QuickShots, while the average drone does not.
  • Supports waypoint flight
    This drone supports waypoint flight, while the average drone does not.
  • More advanced stabilization
    This drone uses 3-Axis Mechanical image stabilization, while the average drone uses EIS (Digital).
    3-Axis Mechanical vs EIS (Digital)
  • Supports TapFly
    This drone supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
  • 19.7% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.5/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.5 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 78% of models

    80%

    8.4

    Average grade

    20%

    9.1

    Popularity

    Grades by review (48)
    9 reviews + 39 videos, average 8.4/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.5 vs 7.1
  • 13.2% higher sentiment score
    8.6 vs 7.6
  • 3 m/s faster flight speed
    This drone reaches a higher max flight speed than the average drone (18 m/s vs 15 m/s). The average drone reaches 15 m/s.
    18 m/s vs 15 m/s
  • 7 min longer flight time
    This drone offers longer max flight time than the average drone (27 min vs 20 min). The average drone offers 20 min of max flight time.
    Real-world flight time is often lower than the advertised maximum.
    27 min vs 20 min
  • 1 m/s faster ascent speed
    This drone climbs faster than the average drone (6 m/s vs 5 m/s). The average drone climbs at 5 m/s.
    6 m/s vs 5 m/s
  • 3 more gimbal axes
    This drone has more gimbal axes than the average drone (3 vs 0). The average drone has 0 gimbal axes.
    3 vs 0
  • Captures RAW photos
    This drone can capture RAW photos, while the average drone cannot.
  • More advanced stabilization
    This drone uses 3-Axis Mechanical image stabilization, while the average drone uses EIS (Digital).
    3-Axis Mechanical vs EIS (Digital)
  • Supports slow-motion mode
    This drone supports slow-motion mode, while the average drone does not.
  • Richer manual controls
    This drone offers partial manual camera controls, while the average drone offers no.
    No shutter-speed control.
    partial vs no
  • Supports burst mode
    This drone supports burst mode, while the average drone does not.
  • 18 ° wider field of view
    This drone has a wider field of view than the average drone (108 ° vs 90 °). The average drone has a field of view of 90 °.
    108 ° vs 90 °
  • Supports waypoint flight
    This drone supports waypoint flight, while the average drone does not.
  • Supports QuickShots
    This drone supports QuickShots, while the average drone does not.
  • Supports TapFly
    This drone supports TapFly, while the average drone does not.
  • 5.82x lower takeoff weight
    This drone has a lower max takeoff weight than the average drone (1,450 g vs 249 g). The average drone has a max takeoff weight of 249 g.
    1,450 g vs 249 g
  • 0.4 m tighter hover accuracy
    This drone has better vertical hover accuracy than the average drone (0.1 m vs 0.5 m). The average drone has vertical hover accuracy of 0.5 m.
    0.1 m vs 0.5 m
  • 2 km longer transmission range
    This drone has a longer max transmission distance than the average drone (3 km vs 1 km). The average drone reaches 1 km of transmission distance.
    Value reflects rated control or transmission distance; live video range can be lower.
    3 km vs 1 km
  • 2,900 mAh more battery capacity
    This drone has a larger battery capacity than the average drone (5,100 mAh vs 2,200 mAh). The average drone battery has a capacity of 2,200 mAh.
    5,100 mAh vs 2,200 mAh
  • 60.34 Wh more battery energy
    This drone has higher battery energy than the average drone (77.5 Wh vs 17.18 Wh). The average drone battery has 17.18 Wh of energy.
    77.52 Wh vs 17.18 Wh
  • 24.5 mm lower body height
    This drone is shorter than the average drone (38 mm vs 62.5 mm). The average drone is 62.5 mm tall.
    38 mm vs 62.5 mm
  • More modern charging port
    This drone uses proprietary for charging, while the average drone uses micro-USB.
    proprietary vs micro-USB
  • More basic transmission system
    This drone uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, while the average drone uses SkyLink 2.0.
    Wi-Fi vs SkyLink 2.0
  • 5.59x higher weight
    This drone is heavier than the average drone (1,376 g vs 246 g). The average drone weighs 246 g.
    1,376 g vs 246 g
  • No subject tracking
    This drone cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.
  • Fewer GNSS systems
    This drone supports GPS, GLONASS GNSS systems, while the average drone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou.
    GPS, GLONASS vs GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
  • Narrower aperture
    This drone has a narrower aperture than the average drone (f/2.8 vs f/2). The average drone uses an aperture of f/2.
    f/2.8 vs f/2
  • 0.7 m/s lower wind resistance
    This drone handles weaker wind than the average drone (10 m/s vs 10.7 m/s). The average drone handles wind up to 10.7 m/s.
    10 m/s vs 10.7 m/s
  • Lower video resolution
    This drone offers lower video resolution than the average drone (4K/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone offers a video resolution of 4K/100 fps.
    4K/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps
  • 0.2 m worse hover accuracy
    This drone has worse horizontal hover accuracy than the average drone (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average drone has horizontal hover accuracy of 0.3 m.
    0.5 m vs 0.3 m
  • 65% more expensive
    Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is more expensive than the average drone (£330 vs £200).
    £330 vs £200
  • 0.7 m/s lower wind resistance
    This drone handles weaker wind than the average drone (10 m/s vs 10.7 m/s). The average drone handles wind up to 10.7 m/s.
    10 m/s vs 10.7 m/s
  • 6 years older release date
    This drone is older than the average drone (2017 vs 2023). The average drone was released in 2023.
    March 2017
    2017 vs 2023
  • 3,000 m lower service ceiling
    This drone can fly at a lower max service ceiling than the average drone (500 m vs 3,500 m). The average drone reaches 3,500 m.
    Altitude limit set in the app.
    500 m vs 3,500 m
  • Non-foldable design
    This drone does not have a foldable design, while the average drone does.
  • Narrower aperture
    This drone has a narrower aperture than the average drone (f/2.8 vs f/2). The average drone uses an aperture of f/2.
    f/2.8 vs f/2
  • Lower video resolution
    This drone offers lower video resolution than the average drone (4K/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps). The average drone offers a video resolution of 4K/100 fps.
    4K/30 fps vs 4K/100 fps
  • Narrower tilt range
    This drone has a narrower tilt range than the average drone (-90 to 0 ° vs -90 to 20 °).
    -90 to 0 ° vs -90 to 20 °
  • 3 x lower digital zoom
    This drone offers less digital zoom than the average drone (0 x vs 3 x). The average drone offers 3 x of digital zoom.
    0 x vs 3 x
  • 3,200 ISO lower max ISO
    This drone reaches a lower max ISO than the average drone (3,200 ISO vs 6,400 ISO). The average drone reaches 6,400 ISO.
    3,200 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • Lower photo resolution
    This drone offers lower photo resolution than the average drone (4000x3000 px vs 4096x3072 px). The average drone offers a photo resolution of 4096x3072 px.
    4000x3000 px vs 4096x3072 px
  • No subject tracking
    This drone cannot track subjects, while the average drone can.
  • Fewer GNSS systems
    This drone supports GPS, GLONASS GNSS systems, while the average drone supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou.
    GPS, GLONASS vs GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
  • 0.2 m worse hover accuracy
    This drone has worse horizontal hover accuracy than the average drone (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average drone has horizontal hover accuracy of 0.3 m.
    0.5 m vs 0.3 m
  • No headless mode
    This drone does not support headless mode, while the average drone does.
  • More basic transmission system
    This drone uses Wi-Fi for video transmission, while the average drone uses SkyLink 2.0.
    Wi-Fi vs SkyLink 2.0
  • Lower live view quality
    This drone has worse live view quality than the average drone (720p@30 fps vs 1080p@25 fps). The average drone offers live view quality of 1080p@25 fps.
    720p@30 fps vs 1080p@25 fps
  • More basic controller
    This drone uses the YRXMT01 controller, while the average drone uses LiteRadio 4 SE.
    YRXMT1 vs LiteRadio 4 SE
  • 5.59x higher weight
    This drone is heavier than the average drone (1,376 g vs 246 g). The average drone weighs 246 g.
    1,376 g vs 246 g
  • 214 mm wider width
    This drone is wider than the average drone (455 mm vs 241 mm). The average drone width is 241 mm.
    455 mm vs 241 mm
  • 105 mm longer body length
    This drone is longer than the average drone (380 mm vs 275 mm). The average drone is 275 mm long.
    380 mm vs 275 mm
  • 10 min longer charging time
    This drone charges more slowly than the average drone (100 min vs 90 min). The average drone charges in 90 min.
    100 min vs 90 min

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.5
Colski Drones 2026
≈ estimated
31/10/2018
Long-term test · six months of regular flying
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is still an excellent, underrated drone after six months of regular flying.
9.0
Dreki
≈ estimated
23/02/2018
Hands-on review · flight, video and battery tests
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is good value for the price, and the creator would recommend it despite a few small quirks.
9.0
Dustin Dunnill
≈ estimated
01/02/2018
Range test · modified antenna dishes and long-distance flight
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is still an excellent drone and a strong 4K alternative to the Phantom 3 at its price.
9.0
DronesGator
≈ estimated
21/01/2018
Long-term review · app walkthrough and image samples
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is a good buy for budget shoppers, with strong range, stable flight and good image quality for the money.
9.5
Helpful DIY
≈ estimated
14/01/2018
Hands-on review · first flight and camera footage
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is the best budget 4K drone for the money, easy to fly and great for beginners.
9.0
Idaho Quadcopter
≈ estimated
14/01/2018
First impressions · first flight test
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K offers good value for money and is easy to fly, a solid choice for a second 4K drone.
9.0
Tech Brothers
≈ estimated
27/12/2017
Long-term test · two months of use
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is one of the best 4K drones for the price, but the app has a few glitches to watch for.
9.0
Dustin Dunnill
≈ estimated
20/12/2017
Hands-on review · range and wind flight tests
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is a very good buy, with strong range and 4K quality for the money.
9.0
Dustin Dunnill
≈ estimated
12/12/2017
Hands-on review · flight test and pros and cons
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K offers excellent value and is a strong alternative to the Phantom 3, with solid flight performance.
9.0
DutchRC Adventures
≈ estimated
05/12/2017
Hands-on review · flights, stability and app
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is very easy and stable to fly, and impressive for the money.
9.0
TechTronic9000
≈ estimated
02/11/2017
Maiden flight test · gimbal, camera and wind handling
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K wins the reviewer over as one of the best pocket 4K drones for the money, beating rivals at this price.
8.0
Redskull
≈ estimated
31/10/2017
Hands-on review · sample footage and flight tests
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is not perfect, but it's the only real budget option if you need 4K video.
More graded video reviews (9)
creator’s own scoreestimated by us

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
letemsvetemapplem.eu
✓ explicit
03/03/2018
User reports · Portable 4K drone
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K suits beginners who want stable, portable 4K footage, but short real-world flights, slow charging and no follow-me mode hold it back.
8.0
drekitech.com
✓ explicit
21/08/2018
Extended review · Smooth 4K filming
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K records very smooth 4K and suits beginners, but noisy stills and no obstacle sensors call for care.
7.0
drohnen.de
≈ estimated
25/02/2019
Expert review · Beginner 4K drone
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is a sturdy, beginner-friendly alternative to DJI's Phantom with 27 minutes of flight, but it lacks obstacle sensors and modern tracking.
8.0
masqueapple.com
≈ estimated
15/06/2017
Analysis · Long-range 4K drone
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K has a steady 3-axis gimbal, 27-minute flights and a full box, but it does not survive a fall.
8.0
smartworld.it
✓ explicit
31/10/2017
Review summary · Stable 4K drone
Verdict
Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K flies steadily, shoots solid footage and is easy to handle, but unreliable streaming and about 20 minutes of real flight hold it back.
8.0
andreagaleazzi.com
≈ estimated
24/08/2017
Expert review · Phantom rival
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is a sturdy rival to DJI's Phantom with steady 4K video and 27 minutes of flight, best if video matters more than portability.
9.0
macitynet.it
≈ estimated
31/12/2017
Expert review · Phantom alternative
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is a sturdy Phantom alternative with excellent 4K video and folding landing gear, but its app is less polished.
9.5
hardwarezone.it
≈ estimated
10/09/2017
Hands-on test · Everyday flying
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is compact and steady for everyday 4K flying, though footage can show a slightly crooked horizon and the setup guide is Chinese only.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K

  • Excellent value for a 4K-capable drone compared to rivals like DJI
  • High build quality with a modular design (foldable legs, detachable gimbal) for easy transport
  • Impressive 4K video quality with smooth stabilization from the 3-axis gimbal
  • User-friendly for beginners due to automatic takeoff, landing, and hovering stability
  • Longer flight times compared to some competitors, averaging 20-25 minutes

What customers don't like about Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K

  • Software and app issues, including frequent crashes and difficulty finding official English versions
  • Excessive 'training' restrictions that limit flight distance and altitude until 5 hours of flight time are achieved
  • Gimbal horizon tilt or 'skew' issues frequently reported by users
  • Slow satellite (GPS) connection times on startup
  • Limited dynamic range where ground footage can appear dark when facing a bright sky

Verdict

The Xiaomi Mi Drone 4K is a modular quadcopter featuring a 12MP Sony sensor capable of recording 4K UHD video at 30fps and capturing RAW stills. Its camera is stabilized by a detachable 3-axis gimbal that corrects up to 2,000 vibrations per second, ensuring smooth cinematic footage. Key technical specifications include a 5100mAh battery providing approximately 27 minutes of flight time, a control range of up to 4km, and a dual-satellite positioning system (GPS and GLONASS) supplemented by vision-based sensors for stable indoor hovering. Main pros include its high-quality 4K output, portable foldable design, and automated flight modes like waypoint planning and orbit. Notable cons include its relatively large and heavy build compared to modern sub-250g drones, a slow initial satellite connection process, and occasional reports of gimbal horizontal tilt issues.

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