DJI’s latest flagship drone, the Mavic 4 Pro, has landed—and it’s making waves. In Europe, and from coast to coast in Canada, drone fans are already putting this beast to work. But if you’re a stateside resident, you’re stuck on the sidelines. Due to a knotty combination of tariffs, customs holds, and regulatory hurdles, DJI has chosen not to launch the Mavic 4 Pro in the US—at least for now.
Let’s dive deeper into what makes this drone a giant leap, where it can be found missing from American shelves, and what that implies for pilots in America.
Mavic 4 Pro: A Giant Leap in Drone Tech
Unveiled in May 2025, the Mavic 4 Pro marks a huge step forward in DJI’s consumer drone lineup. At the heart of the buzz is a 100MP Hasselblad main camera—a serious upgrade that delivers extraordinary clarity and detail. It features an adjustable aperture (f/2.0 to f/11), making it ideal for everything from golden-hour shots to bright midday footage.
No less impressive is its triple-lens system, which provides 28mm, 70mm, and 168mm focal lengths. That’s wide-angle landscapes to intimate close-ups with no hassle—no gear switching in-flight.
A standout feature is the Infinity Gimbal, which rotates a full 360°, giving creators new angles and perspectives that were previously out of reach in a drone this size. Add in 6K/60fps HDR video, 16 stops of dynamic range, and DJI’s most advanced obstacle avoidance system to date—powered by six fisheye sensors—and it’s easy to see why this drone is generating serious buzz.
And with 51 minutes of airtime and a 30km HD transmission range, it’s designed for both horsepower and longevity. The new RC Pro 2 controller rounds out the deal with a 7-inch Mini-LED display, vertical shooting mode, 128GB internal memory, and four hours of battery life.
The Reviews Are In—and They’re Glowing
First impressions from top tech critics are glowing.
- Tom’s Guide referred to it as “the most potent consumer drone so far,” praising its camera configuration and cutting-edge controls.
- PetaPixel zeroed in on its obstacle avoidance, particularly the combination of LiDAR and fisheye sensors, and commended its video quality, rivaling even DJI’s own Inspire 3 high-end drone.
- Space.com emphasized the enhanced Return-to-Home mode, which now operates even without GPS—a tremendous advantage in remote or blocked-out situations.
So Why Can’t You Buy It in the U.S.?
While people are excited, DJI has waited to introduce the Mavic 4 Pro in America, and the reason comes down to trade and regulation.
Continuing trade tensions saw Chinese-made drones subject to enormous tariffs—up to 170% at one stage. Although changes have since brought those down to 30%, it’s still an uncertain business climate. Added to that, U.S. Customs is said to be holding DJI shipments on account of supply chain and national security issues.
Instead of taking the risk of expensive delays or seized stock, DJI is keeping its powder dry by concentrating on markets where sales can proceed unhindered.
To date, there isn’t an official US launch date, and DJI has kept mum on when—or if—that will happen.
What About Purchasing One Overseas?
Technically, yes—you can try purchasing the Mavic 4 Pro in another country. Some Americans are already looking into a visit to Canada or Europe to get one. But it’s not exactly that straightforward.
DJI cautions that the warranty is not valid on drones bought outside their target market area. So if you import it yourself and experience issues, you’re on your own. And then there’s the possibility of customs slowdowns or extra import costs, and registering your drone with the FAA might get tricky in the absence of proper documentation.
A select handful of users were able to acquire the drone prior to restriction tightening, and some DJI Care Refresh policies may even still be valid, but for many, it’s a risk.
What This Means for DJI—and U.S. Drone Users
DJI isn’t abandoning the U.S. market. But they’re not prepared to roll the dice on unpredictable trade policy and finicky customs enforcement. Their strategy marks a broader shift in tactics—one that values stability in international markets over a possibly messy U.S. launch.
For drone fans in America, it’s maddening. The Mavic 4 Pro is the best of what can be had in a small drone, and it’s unavailable now. Nevertheless, DJI will probably keep a close eye on how things develop. If rules relax, the drone might finally appear on the scene in America.
The Mavic 4 Pro is a masterpiece of drone design—a significant upgrade for creators, photographers, and hobbyists everywhere. While the rest of the world gets to experience its possibilities today, American consumers are stuck in limbo.
It’s a reminder of how global politics can influence even the newest consumer electronics. But if history is any guide, it won’t take long before DJI finds a way to introduce this next-generation drone into American airspace.
