When it comes to drones, there are a few brands that stand out from the rest. Autel and DJI are two of the most popular drone manufacturers on the market, and for good reasons. Both brands offer high-quality drones that are packed with features and easy to use. So, which one is the better choice?
Autel X-Star Premium Vs Phantom 4
Autel Robotics X Star Preminum
Although there are other drones available for aerial photography, this one is exceptional. This quadcopter boasts superior flight control and additional functions. This is awesome.
- Max Speed: 56 km/h
- Max Range: 1.9 km
- Flight Duration: 25 minutes
- The battery capacity is 4900 mAh.
- Dimensions: 495 x 495 x 220 mm
- Weight (g): 42 kilogram
PROS
- It includes a 64GB Card, which provides ample storage space.
- Live HD viewing is twice as wide as the standard definition image.
- 1-hour rapid charging, never before seen
- Excellent 4K quality
- One-touch buttons are ideal for beginners because they allow for swift action.
- Altitude hold
CONS
- No collision avoidance system
- Depending on where you fly, it can be costly. Therefore, Amazon is not an option for frugal purchasing.
- Batteries can have short lifespans.
- If you are not technological savvy, the compass can be tough to use.
The Autel Robotics X Star Premium is the most formidable challenger to DJI Phantom 3/4 models. DJI Phantom provides the same excellent experience at a lesser price. The Autel Robotics X Star Premium is simple to operate, allowing even novices to pilot it.
The camera quality is unquestionably good. The camera features up to 4K video recording and 12MP photos. This camera promises to be a high-quality, lower-priced alternative to the best DJI drones, which delivers the same functions and quality. Although the appearance is pretty nice, DJI Phantom 4 is superior.
With GPS Navigation and Starpoint location, the Autel Robotics X Star Premium is simple to locate. This Autel X Star premium battery has a capacity of 4900 mAh. According to reports, its flight time is between 20 and 25 minutes.
Phantom 4
- Max Range: 5 km
- Maximum Flight Time: 28 minutes
- The battery capacity is 5350 mAh.
- Dimensions: 289 x 289 x 196 mm
- Weight (g): 1.38 kilogram
PROS
- Durable, superior-quality materials
- Weight
- Nice camera sensors
- Flight duration
- Increased online community
- Fly as far as 2,000 Miles
- Implementation of intelligent detecting technologies
- Altitude maintain
CONS
- Additional accessories could be expensive.
- To utilize the transmitter, a tablet or smartphone is required.
- Static landing gear
- It is modest and simple to identify from above. However, it can be difficult to see from a great height.
- There is no headless mode
The DJI Phantom 4 is a more advanced version of the DJI Phantom 3. The Autel X Star Premium Drone is DJI Phantom 3’s competitor. The most recent models of the DJI Phantom 3 are loaded with cutting-edge technologies and capabilities.
This drone will make it simple for anyone who has previously flown a drone. The DJI Phantom 4 will provide an exceptional experience that is well worth the price. Because of the Phantom 4’s revolutionary Obstacle Sensing System (OSS) and streamlined design, it has been deemed an excellent drone for beginners.
The drone is highly agile and effective at its work. With the drone’s sports mode, you may access a multitude of capabilities. The camera is able to record 4K footage. The battery life of the drone is said to allow for 28 minutes of flight time and 90 minutes of charging.
Comparison of Autel X-Star Premium and DJI Phantom 4
One of the primary reasons these two drones are so popular is their high-quality cameras, which capture breathtaking aerial imagery.
Each drone features a 12-megapixel camera mounted on a 3-axis motorized gimbal.
The camera of the DJI Phantom 4 is equipped with a 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor, an aperture range of f/28 to f/11, and a mechanical shutter; its field of vision is comparable to that of a 24mm lens.
The camera is capable of recording 4k video at 30fps, 2k video at 60fps, and 1080p video at 120fps.
The Autel X-Star premiums camera is by far one of its outstanding features.
This is because the gimbal and camera are easily removable; by pressing a button, both components detach from the body of the drone.
This is wonderful for drone owners who have no plans to purchase another drone in the foreseeable future.
Autel has released new cameras and improved camera quality without purchasing a new drone.
Simply purchase the additional camera and attach it to your X-Star Pro.
This is one of the X-Star Premium’s significant advantages over the DJI Phantom 4.
The default camera on the X-Star Premium has a 108-degree field of vision and can shoot 4k at 30fps, 2k at 60 fps, and 1080p at 120fps.
Both of these cameras are excellent in their own right, but the upgradeability of the Autel camera gives it a little edge over the Phantom 4.
Battery & Flight Time
The flight time of a drone can make or break your selection. Fortunately, both of these drones have the long flying periods that we drone pilots like.
The Phantom 4’s clever LiPo 4S 5350 mAh battery gives an astounding 27 minutes of flight duration.
This is contrasted with the 4900mAh Autel x-star premium battery charger, which provides the drone with a maximum flight time of 25 minutes.
These are both excellent flight times, but the DJI Phantom 4 edges out the Autel by 3 minutes.
Maximum Flight Distance
The greatest distance affords us the freedom to explore the skies. I’ve used my Phantoms countless times. Long-range to find new shooting settings and angles.
The DJI Phantom’s transmitter runs in a frequency range of 902 MHz to 928 MHz and can control the drone from up to 5 kilometers distant, which can be increased with the use of range extenders. This is considerably greater than the X-maximum Star’s range of 2 kilometers.
Although the maximum of Autel X Star Premium range isn’t nearly as far as the DJI’s, 2 kilometers is still a considerable distance and is often more than sufficient.
Camera
One of the main reasons these two drones are so popular is because of their high-quality cameras, which produce stunning aerial imagery.
Both drones have a 12-megapixel camera attached to a 3-axis motorized gimbal.
DJI Phantom 4 Gimbal & Camera
The camera on the DJI Phantom 4 has a 1/2.3′′ CMOS sensor, an adjustable aperture ranging from f/28 to f/11, and a mechanical shutter, with a field of view similar to that of a 24mm lens
The camera can record video in 4k at 30 frames per second, 2k at 60 frames per second, and 1080p at 120 frames per second.
Moving on to the Autel X-Star premiums’ camera, which is by far its most valuable asset.
This is because the gimbal and camera are easily detachable; by pressing a button, both components can be removed from the drone’s body.
This is fantastic news for drone owners who do not intend to purchase another drone in the future.
Autel releases new cameras; can you improve your drones? camera quality without purchasing a new drone
Gimbal & Camera Autel X-Star Premium
This is a significant advantage of the X-Star Premium over the DJI Phantom 4.
The default camera on the X-Star Premium has a 108-degree field of view and can shoot 4k at 30fps, 2k at 60fps, and 1080p at 120fps.
Both of these cameras are fantastic in their own right, but Autel has a slight advantage over the Phantom 4 due to the ability to upgrade the camera.
That’s enough about the cameras; let’s see what they can do.
Build & Design
I believe it is reasonable to state that both of these quadcopter drones are visually appealing; DJI and Autel have done an excellent job producing fantastic-looking quadcopters.
The Phantom 4 features the iconic Phantom white with grey accents and is crafted from the finest materials.
The body is constructed with a magnesium skeleton, which drastically decreases its weight and provides much-appreciated additional flight time.
The Phantom 4’s rotors are constructed from carbon fiber, a lightweight yet robust material.
These high-quality rotor arms enable the Phantom 4 to be incredibly nimble in the air as well as crash-resistant.
The X-Star Premium predominantly offers a vibrant orange hue with black accents.
Unlike the DJI, the Autel is not constructed from magnesium, resulting in a 40g increase in overall weight.
Probably because of this, the Autel has a significantly shorter flight time.
Nevertheless, Autel’s construction is superior, and it can resist a significant amount of abuse.
Flight Speed
Both of these drones are constructed with brushless motors that deliver a high output of power. This indicates that they are capable of incredibly fast top speeds.
Frequently, we must use our drones to track a moving target, and if your drone cannot keep up, your shot will likely be spoiled. In sport mode, the Phantom 4’s carbon fiber rotors and lightweight construction allow it to reach speeds of up to 72.4 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour).
Is this considerably quicker than the Autels? This vehicle has a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour (36 miles per hour), which is still rather amazing.
Although the Phantom 4 is faster than the Autels, I cannot envision wanting a higher maximum speed. 60kph often. The majority of the time, drone pilots want to capture slow, smooth shots. Therefore maximum speed is usually irrelevant.
Intelligent Flight Modes
Intelligent flight modes are advantageous because they enable pilots to capture excellent aerial footage without having to manually pilot the drone.
These are ideal for pilots with less expertise, who may not be able to do these maneuvers manually to such high quality.
The DJI Phantom 4 includes standard features like as automated takeoff and landing and a one-touch return to the home button. In addition, the Phantom 4 offers a variety of intelligent flight modes, including follow me, tap to fly, active track, point of interest, and waypoints.
Who are the Phantoms? Forward-facing obstacle avoidance sensors make intelligent flying modes somewhat safer because they can identify an impending collision.
Unfortunately, Autel lacks this feature. The good news is that these will not be used frequently unless you are flying indoors.
Similar to the Phantom, the Autel X-Star has autonomous takeoff and landing as well as a home button.
Despite having fewer flight modes than the Phantom, the Autel still offers follow-me, orbit, and waypoints.
Although not an intelligent flight mode, the Phantom 4 has a visual positioning system (VPS) that enables it to hover exactly in place, whereas the Autel lacks this capability.
Alternatively, the Autel X-Star Premium is equipped with a Starpoint Positioning System that can measure the drone’s altitude and optically monitor its whereabouts.
Price & Extras
The pricing is arguably one of the most crucial aspects of our comparison of the Autel X-Star Premium with the DJI Phantom 4.
DJI is notorious for affixing hefty price tags to their drones, and the Phantom 4 is no exception. Since the debut of the advanced and pro models, the price has decreased significantly during the past six months or so.
Remote Controller, 4 Propeller Pairs, Intelligent Flight Battery, Battery Charger, Power Cable, Manuals, Gimbal Clamp, USB OTG Cable, Micro USB Cable, Micro SD Card (16GB), and a Carrying Case are included with the drone.
The Autel X-Star Premium is substantially less expensive, costing less than $800, and comes with a number of useful extras.
These include a hard shell carrying bag, transmitter, two sets of propellers, charging cables, lanyard, manuals, a mini-spanner, and four replacement gimbal vibration dampeners.
See other articles to choose the suitable drone for you:
Useful Accessories
The following is a list of helpful drone accessories. I would strongly suggest purchasing a few replacement batteries and an SD card with ample space, especially if you intend to shoot in 4k.
Useful DJI Phantom 4 Accessories:
- Backpack
- Backup battery
- ND filter
- Spare propellers
- Safeguards
- Micro SD card
Autel X-Star Premium Useful Accessories:
- Backup battery
- ND Filter
- Spare propellers
- Safeguards
- Micro SD card
Read more: Best Drone Accessories
Conclusion
The Autel X-Star Premium and Phantom 4 are both great drones, but there are some key differences to consider before purchasing one. The X-Star Premium is a bit cheaper than the Phantom 4, but it doesn’t have as many features.
The Phantom 4 has a longer flight time and a higher quality camera, so it’s worth the extra money if you’re looking for a drone to take professional photos or videos. Hope this comparison has helped you decide which drone is right for you!