DJI isn’t slowing down. The company just pulled the wraps off its new Mini 5 Pro drone — though, frustratingly, not in the US market — and now it’s already teasing another big release. Scheduled for September 23 at 8 a.m. EDT, DJI’s next reveal is billed under the tagline “Own the Moment.” And if the teaser video is any clue, the mystery product looks very much like the long-awaited Osmo Nano camera.
The teaser itself is short but telling. It shows a tiny camera snapping onto a larger element, almost like puzzle pieces clicking together. The animation suggests a modular design, where the smallest piece is the imaging unit, and the add-on module brings extra juice, controls, or maybe even a screen. If that sounds familiar, it’s because DJI has toyed with modular action cams before, and because its biggest rival, Insta360, has been racking up wins with its GO series, which nails the same ultra-compact, wearable concept.
The timing of this tease is almost as interesting as the product itself. DJI just unveiled the Mini 5 Pro globally, but it skipped any mention of it on its US website. That’s a clear signal Americans won’t see the drone anytime soon, thanks to US Customs restrictions tied to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Shipments of DJI drones have been repeatedly delayed or blocked, leaving US customers either empty-handed or paying steep import markups.
But here’s the twist: the Osmo Nano teaser is front and center on DJI’s US homepage. That strongly suggests handheld gear isn’t being held back by the same regulatory issues. For US creators, it means while drones remain in limbo, pocket-sized cameras may actually make it into their hands without drama.
The Osmo Nano looks like DJI’s direct counter to Insta360’s GO series, which has earned a cult following for its clip-on, wearable action cams. Small enough to pin to a shirt or hat, the GO 3 and GO 3S have become staples for vloggers, cyclists, and everyday creators who don’t want to lug around bulky rigs.
And don’t forget: Insta360 has been taking swings at DJI too. Earlier this year, the company unveiled the Antigravity A1 drone, a lightweight 8K 360-degree flyer aimed squarely at DJI’s turf. With the Osmo 360 already sparring with Insta360’s X-series, the Nano vs. GO showdown looks like the next round in an escalating rivalry.
But for DJI, the Osmo Nano isn’t just about beating Insta360. It’s also a chance to show US buyers that not all its products are caught up in Customs drama. With drones under pressure, handheld gear could be the company’s lifeline in one of the world’s biggest creator markets.
So yes, US drone fans may feel sidelined by the Mini 5 Pro’s no-show. But if September 23 brings a Nano reveal as expected, creators stateside might finally have something new from DJI they can actually buy.
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