The all-new Potensic Atom 3 is here, and after putting it through a real-world flight test, I’ve got a lot to unpack. Bigger sensor, longer battery life, a sturdier body, and a brand-new controller — this is a meaningful step up from the Atom 2. It’s not perfect, but the upgrades here are real.
Today we’re reviewing the Fly More Bundle Plus, which gets you the drone, the new remote, and a redesigned bag. I’m saving the full unboxing for a separate video, so I won’t walk through every component here — but you’ll see most of it as we go.
The biggest upgrade: a bigger sensor
The headline improvement on the Atom 3 is the new 1/1.3-inch sensor, a real jump up from the half-inch sensor in the Atom 2. Bigger sensor means more light, and more light means better image quality. It’s a big win, plain and simple.
Potensic also gives it P-Log out of the gate, (their take on a log profile). It’s not true log footage, but it does give you some latitude to color grade in post. If you like to grade your own footage and chase a more professional look, having even a semi-flat profile is a real plus.
And here’s the part I’m genuinely happy about: Potensic finally now offers ND filters for the Atom 3. That was my biggest knock against Atom 2, so seeing them out of the gate this time is a real win. ND filters let you actually take advantage of that manual camera mode — controlling your shutter speed for proper cinematic motion blur instead of fighting blown-out, overexposed footage in bright light. For anyone trying to push this drone toward more professional results, that alone is a big deal.
Atom 3 vs. Atom 2: The physical differences
The two drones are close in size — both come in under the 250g mark, so travel rules and registration aren’t a concern with either. But the details have improved across the board:
- Power button moved to the top. On the Atom 2, you powered it from the bottom, which meant powering on and then setting it down. Now you can just lay it flat and hit the button.
- Easier access to ports. The USB-C port and SD card slot now sit under the battery in an accessible spot. On the Atom 2, the battery eject button covered the microSD slot, so you had to pop the battery to get to your card. And when you plugged in here, you’re charging the drone — not just the battery like before.
- Better build quality. The Atom 3 feels noticeably more robust. The plastic is just nicer in the hand. The Atom 2, by comparison, feels a bit cheaper.
- Slightly bigger props — but you still need the included screwdriver to swap them. No quick-release here, so keep that tool in your kit.
The battery difference is substantial. The Atom 3’s battery is larger and gets you roughly 40-50 minutes of flight time per charge (conditions will vary). The charging dock is better, too: the Atom 2 dock needed a separate 12V barrel adapter, so you were carrying two chargers. The new dock runs on USB-C — same as the remote — so you can travel with just one. It’s a touch wider but shorter, and heavier thanks to the bigger batteries.
The new PTD2 remote
Alongside the drone, you get the new PTD2 controller. Side by side with the PTD1, they’re nearly identical — I almost mixed them up pulling them out on the table.
The tells: the PTD2 has a small red circle and a home icon next to what looks like a pause symbol, where the PTD1 just has the home icon. Same size, same materials, though the PTD2 has a stickier, more tactile rubber on the back.
Two real differences matter. First, Potensic claims a longer flight distance (16 KM vs 10 KM with the PTD1) with the PTD2 — though I couldn’t quite hit those numbers in my testing. Second, and my favorite: the 900-nit screen (up from around 700 nits on the PTD1). I fly in bright Florida sun constantly, and a screen this bright is genuinely worth having.
One note for current owners: the PTD1 will still work with the Atom 3, so if you’ve already got one, you’re in good shape. The PTD2 is just better.
How it flies
I took the Atom 3 out on a windy, bright day — perfect conditions to test both that 900-nit screen and how the drone handles a breeze.
Takeoff is exactly what you’d expect: point the sticks down, lift off, and you’re in the air. The wind had it floating around a bit, but it held its own. I tried the new cinema roll — a mid-flight barrel roll that’s quickly become one of my favorite features — and grabbed some 8K photos, which is a nice touch.
I hit a wall around 499 meters, which is likely just a setting in the remote. It did disconnect briefly and started its return-to-home sequence — and that safety system worked really well, which is exactly what you want.
Bottom line on the flight: it feels similar to the Atom 2 to fly, but the overall quality and feature set make it feel like a real upgrade. The battery held up better than I expected in the wind — I’d estimate 40–45 minutes in those conditions, and probably closer to the full 50 on a calm day.
This is, hands down, one of the best beginner drones on the market. The Atom 2 was the drone I recommended to anyone just getting started, and the Atom 3 carries that torch. It’s easy to pull out of the case and fly, easy to set up, and forgiving for first-timers. The built-in cinematic modes — pre-programmed shots you can trigger without manually working the sticks — make it especially approachable if you don’t want to spend time learning the controls. Potensic also offers prop guards as an added layer of safety, which is exactly what you want for newer pilots, indoor flying, or working around people and obstacles. Pair all of that with the new sensor, and it’s a compelling first drone.
What’s not perfect
No product is flawless, so here’s where the Atom 3 falls short.
1. Transmission issues persist. Some of the connection hiccups I had with the Atom 2 carried over to the Atom 3, even though the PTD2 is supposed to have a stronger signal. It might be where I fly, it might be something a firmware update can fix — I’m honestly not sure. If you pick one up and either run into this or don’t, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear whether it’s just me.
2. Cinematic shots are buried in the menu. The remote software is mostly great, but getting to those cinematic modes is more of a hunt than it should be. Video and stills modes are easy to reach; the cinematic shots are tucked away. For a drone aimed at beginners, those should be front and center. An easy software fix, in my opinion.
Pricing and availability
As of now, the Atom 3 is launching in the UK and Europe only — there’s no US release date yet. I’ll update with US pricing as soon as that’s announced.
The current pricing for this product in Europe and the UK is as follows:
UK
- £329.99 Standard Kit
- £439.99 Fly More Combo
- £439.99 Standard Kit (RC PTD 2)
- £549.99 Fly More Combo (RC PTD 2)
- £599.99 Fly More Combo Plus (RC PTD 2+extended battery)
Europe
- €359.99 Standard Kit
- €479.99 Fly More Combo
- €479.99 Standard Kit (RC PTD 2)
- €599.99 Fly More Combo (RC PTD 2)
- €659.99 Fly More Combo Plus (RC PTD 2+extended battery)
The verdict
The Atom 3 is a great beginner drone and an easy recommendation for anyone looking for their first one. The new sensor, the bigger battery, the sturdier body, and the upgraded PTD2 remote all add up to a real upgrade over the Atom 2. And with ND filters now in the lineup, it’s edging closer to that mid-tier prosumer territory — the kind of thing that makes it punch above its weight.
If you’re just getting started, this is one of the easiest, most forgiving drones you can buy — and you’ll be happy with what comes off the SD card.
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