As 2018 comes to a close, we reviewed our most popular news stories of the last twelve months. We covered almost 1,200 drone news articles that reached millions of readers and gathered many millions of page views. It has been a very successful year for DroneDJ in which we were able to break a lot of stories and news to you. We are very excited for 2019 and are working on new ideas to bring you more drone news faster and over different channels.
As we end 2018, we wish you and your loved ones all the best for 2019. Here’s to happy (and safe) drone flying in the coming year! 
Our 10 most popular news stories of 2018
10. More details on rumored Sony image sensor for DJI Mavic Pro II (2)
This morning we woke up to snow here in New York and to new rumored details of the 1/1.7″ image sensor for the DJI Mavic Pro II (2). According to OsitaLV, the information comes from beta-testers of the foldable drone and confirms the information from last week.
9. DJI starts a series of promotions around the world (to clear out old Mavic Pro’s and Phantoms?)
Chinese drone maker, DJI just started a series of promotions around the world to celebrate things like Father’s Day, Mid-Year and Summer. Or, instead of celebrating, what they are really are trying to do is to get rid off their old inventory ahead of any upcoming new drones. Mavic Pro 2 and Phantom 5, anyone?
8. First photos and specs appear of DJI’s VTOL fixed-wing quadcopter drone
Just now the first photos and specs have surfaced online from what appears to be the new DJI Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL), fixed-wing quadcopter drone. As we have reported before, this drone is aimed at the agricultural and industrial markets.
Only minutes ago new photos surfaced online, showing the new DJI Mavic 2 ‘Enterprise’ edition. In a previously leaked photo, we already got the impression that the new Mavic 2 would allow for interchangeable gimbal/camera options, but the ‘Enterprise’ edition seems to take that flexibility to a whole new level. It makes sense for DJI to use the compact foldable Mavic platform and allow for different payloads to be mounted. The new photos also show parts of the drone we have not yet seen before.
6. Breaking News: DJI Mavic 2 Pro and DJI Mavic 2 Zoom already listed in UK Argos catalog
Breaking News: Just now, we were notified by one of our readers that the new DJI Mavic 2 is already listed in the latest Argos catalog with photo and details. The Chinese drone maker will be launching two versions of the popular foldable drone: the DJI Mavic 2 Pro with a 1-inch sensor and the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom with a 24-48mm zoom lens and ‘Dolly Zoom’ effect similar to the Parrot Anafi. The new DJI Mavic 2 was originally planned to be launched during a special event “See the Bigger Picture” in NYC on July 18th, but that was postponed for reasons that are still unclear to us. The fact that DJI’s latest foldable drone now appears in the catalog of an English retailer must indicate that the official launch cannot be far off
5. Spoiler: DJI Mavic Air revealed day early with 4K, 21 min flight time, 3 colors
Today we’ve discovered the first photos and specifications of the DJI Mavic Air drone which will be officially released tomorrow morning at a special DJI event in New York City. We will be on the scene there as well at 9AM ET so expect full coverage here on DroneDJ.
4. Breaking News: DJI Mavic 2 photo leaked online
Just now we received an email with what seems to be the first real photo of the upcoming DJI Mavic 2. Interestingly enough this new drone from DJI is called the Mavic 2 and not the Mavic Pro 2, meaning that there might indeed be two different models as some people have speculated online. The two different camera/gimbal combinations visible in the photo do seem to indicate that. Let’s take a closer look.
3. DJI would like you to “See The Bigger Picture” on July 18th – Possible Mavic Pro 2 announcement?
Chinese drone-maker DJI just sent out an invitation to the press to come and “See The Bigger Picture” on July 18th at 10 am in New York. The invitation was sent by email and contained a top-down aerial photo that seems to show a mountainous area with trees, a river and possibly a lake in the center. Toward the outer edges of the circular image you see clouds and then it fades into black. There is no indication if this photo is from an actual location and/or how much of it may be photoshopped. The image also has a resemblance of an eye (iris and pupil), which nicely ties back into their slogan: “See The Bigger Picture”, which is superimposed over the photo. Like with previous announcements from DJI, it is hard to get much information out it, but I think it is safe to say that DJI will almost certainly be announcing a new consumer drone this summer with an emphasis on image quality. Possibly the new Mavic Pro 2 drone.
2. DJI Mavic Pro II – an update to what maybe become a monster drone
This morning we woke up to newly leaked information from a source, who has proven to be very accurate in the past. The DJI Mavic Pro II (or Mavic Pro 2) is rumored to arrive late in March so it makes sense that more details are coming out as we approach that deadline. Today we learn that the original foldable drone from DJI may actually grow in size. Indeed the new DJI Mavic Pro II may become a monster drone.
1. The DJI Mavic Pro II may be delayed until late spring
The latest rumor on the DJI Mavic Pro II (or Mavic Pro 2) is that it may be delayed until late spring, i.e. June. That would be a disappointment for many as the previous launch date of the Mavic Pro II was in three weeks from now (March 22nd). We were expecting the Mavic Pro II to be the first new drone to be released after the Mavic Air introduction. Pushing the launch date back to June opens up the possibility of another DJI product to be launched in March. The Spark 2 maybe?
Happy New Year!
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