Last Updated on January 13, 2019
Features
- flies at up to 35 mph (57 kph)
- 25-minute flight time
- 4K video recording (3840 x 2160) at up to 30fps
- 12MP stills, 3-axis gimbal
- 94° FOV fixed-focus lens
- 4 km video transmission
- Vision Positioning System
- Return to Home feature
DJI Phantom 3 SE Introduction Video
DJI Phantom 3 SE Overview
DJI releases drones like Apple releases smartphones: in multiple flavors with slightly differing features. The naming can definitely cause confusion and sometimes you just wish the company would stick to fewer branches of a tree. Until that time comes, we have to deal with the multiple releases.
The Phantom 3 series has seen five models released: Standard, Advanced, 4K, Professional, and SE. The SE is a successor to the Phantom 3 Standard and features a couple of improvements.
Design & Features
There isn’t a lot that separates the Phantom SE from its predecessor. Both can fly a maximum of 25 minutes and at a maximum speed of 57 kph. Although not obvious, the clear difference between the two is weight: the SE is a bit heavier coming in at 1,236 g compared to the Standard’s 1,216 g.
Transmission distance is where the Phantom 3 SE is better than its predecessor. The Standard model has a max transmission range of 1 km while the SE offers more at 4 km. This means the SE can be flown much further and allowing more scenes to be captured.
There’s also a big difference in the camera offerings of the SE and Standard models of the Phantom 3 line. The Standard edition offers a maximum video resolution of 2.7K at 30fps; the SE version betters that by offering 4K at 30fps. While the Phantom 3 SE can capture images with better quality, the camera still offers the same 1/2.3” CMOS effective pixels and 12MP sensor. In short, both can capture sharp pictures but one just has better quality.
The Phantom 3 SE also has a feature not presented in the Standard version: Vision Positioning System (VPS). VPS allows the drone to hover in place, with or without the need for a GPS signal, while awaiting further instructions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It has a pretty decent camera. Newer models like the Phantom 4 Advanced offers 4K video at 60fps, but the Phantom 3 SE’s 4K at 30fps is sufficient for those who are still starting out with drones.
- It can cover a long distance. When compared to the Phantom 3 Standard edition, the SE can clearly cover a longer distance (4 km vs 1 km). However, the newer Phantom 4 Advanced model can reach even further distances.
- It has VPS. With VPS, the drone can hover, without the need for a GPS signal, while it waits for instructions.
Cons
- It is easily overshadowed by newer DJI Phantom models. DJI’s Phantom 4 line have better cameras, better flight times, and better transmission ranges, but the Phantom 3 SE remains a good introduction to the world of drones.
Final Thoughts
The DJI Phantom SE is a good drone, especially for newbie drone enthusiasts. As a successor to the Phantom Standard, it improves on many key features, the camera and the transmission range in particular. It even has VPS, which its predecessor doesn’t have. All in all, the Phantom 3 SE is a great drone for budding enthusiasts to begin playing with.
AIRCRAFT
| Takeoff Weight | 1236 g |
|---|---|
| Diagonal Distance (propellers excluded) | 350 mm |
| Max Ascent Speed | 5 m/s |
| Max Descent Speed | 3 m/s |
| Hover Accuracy Range | Vertical: ±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning) ±0.5 m (with GPS Positioning) Horizontal: ±0.3 m (with Vision Positioning) ±1.5 m (with GPS Positioning) |
| Max Speed | 16 m/s |
| Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level | 6000 m |
| Max Hovering Time | Approx.25 minutes |
| Operating Temperature Range | 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C) |
| Satellite Positioning Systems | GPS/GLONASS |
| Controllable Range | Pitch: -90° to +30° |
| Stabilization | 3-axis (pitch, roll, yaw) |
INTELLIGENT FLIGHT BATTERY
| Capacity | 4480 mAh |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 15.2 V |
| Battery Type | LiPo 4S |
| Energy | 68 Wh |
| Net Weight | 365 g |
| Charging Temperature Range | 41° to 104°F (5° to 40°C) |
| Max Charging Power | 100 W |
VISION SYSTEM
| Vision System | Downward Vision System |
|---|---|
| Velocity Range | ≤8 m/s (2 m above ground) |
| Altitude Range | 30 – 300 cm |
| Operating Range | 50 – 300 cm |
| Operating Environment | Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux>15) |
APP / LIVE VIEW
| Mobile App | DJI GO |
|---|---|
| Live View Quality | 720P @ 30fps |
| Required Operating Systems | iOS 9.0 or later Android 4.4.0 or later |
| Recommended Devices | iOS： iPhone 5s、iPhone SE、iPhone 6、iPhone 6 Plus、iPhone 6s、iPhone 6s Plus、 iPhone 7、 iPhone 7 Plus、iPad Air、iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular、iPad mini 2、iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular、iPad Air 2、iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular、iPad mini 3、iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular、iPad mini 4 and iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi + Cellular Android: Samsung tabs 705c、Samsung S6、Samsung S5、Samsung NOTE4、Samsung NOTE3、Google Nexus 9、Google Nexus 7 II、Ascend Mate7、Huawei P8 Max、Huawei Mate 8、Nubia Z7 mini、Sony Xperia Z3、MI 3、MI PAD、Smartisan T1 *Support for additional Android devices available as testing and development continues. |
Unboxing the DJI Phantom 3 SE
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