FIMI X8 SE drone with 4K camera for $499.99 in Presale

The FIMI X8 SE is the actual successor of the Xiaomi Mi drone. The features and the price/performance ratio have also read really well so far. Is this the best DJI alternative yet from China?

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Fimi X8 SE camera droneat Geekbuying for $499.99 (Arrival Notice) Model FIMI X8 SE Dimensions 204 x 106 x 73 mm (folded) Weight 790 g Battery 4.500 mAh

<33 minutes flight time

Speed<65 km/h Camera f2.2 12 MP CMOS; 78.8° FOV, 3-axis gimbal

Video: 4K @30fps

Features 5 km range; motion tracking, GPS, GLONASS Release January 15 in China

Design – Is Xiaomi in it where FIMI is written?

FIMI communicates very openly on their own website that they see themselves as part of the Xiaomi ecosystem. In fact, the company was already behind the development of the Xiaomi drone, which was launched in May 2016. The newer models are now also sold under the name FIMI. The first model was the FIMI A3, which reminded of the old Mi drones.

The X8 SE also follows on from the design, but also brings with it other changes. The arms of the drone are now foldable for the first time, as is the case with the Mavic 2 or the recently released Hubsan Zino. The front above the camera is a bit wider and now has a black cover, behind which supposed sensors should fit. But there is no confirmed information about this yet. The battery is no longer pushed into the rear of the drone, but is removed vertically upwards and sits exactly in the middle of the drone.

Remote control

Also the remote control was changed compared to the predecessor model. If there was a display integrated, you have to connect your own smartphone again. To do this, the remote control is pulled apart from the side and the mobile phone is clamped in the middle. The very wide handle may be unusual, apart from that the remote control looks good on the first pictures.

Dimensions 203.8 x 91 x 46.6 mm Weight 370 g Battery 3,900 mAh 3.7 V Frequency range 5.725-5.850 GHz Range 5 km

Camera & New Features

The camera will be able to record video in 4K at a frame rate of 30 fps. (Up to 60 fps are also possible for 2K shooting, and up to 100 fps for Full HD video.) In contrast to the FIMI A3, there is now also a 3-axis gimbal, which stabilizes the recordings. The 1/2.3″ sensor is the Sony IMX378, which is also used in the Mavic 2 Zoom. In principle, the camera can also be used for zooming, but this is only a digital zoom.

Thanks to GPS and optical sensors, the drone is also capable of some smart or independent flight modes. This allows the user to fly away from marked waypoints or orbit around an object using an app. An automatic “Rocket” (vertical flight with the camera pointing downwards) or “Dronie” function (backward ascending) is also possible. Various tracking functions make it possible to track an object or a person from different perspectives. Timelapse recordings are also possible according to the description; in free flight, with an object in focus or with waypoints.

The battery is quite large with 4.500 mAh, and should provide up to 33 minutes flight time. The manufacturer limits this by saying that this is only possible with calm and constant 8 m/s, but it is still a considerable value. If the battery is almost empty, the app warns the pilot and the drone can return independently.

Outlook & Price

All in all, the features of the FIMI X8 SE make you want more. The price in particular should arouse the interest of many: the drone will cost almost $500 – which is almost unrivalled with this equipment. Officially the drone appears on 15 January 2019 in China.

If FIMI/Xiaomi can meet the expectations here AND the drone can also be used in other countries (language of the app, map data, no-fly zones etc.), then the FIMI X8 SE could be a real hit. Do you like it that way? What is your opinion about the drone?