Ishveena Singh

For DJI, 2025 began with uncertainty baked in. A legally required US security review had yet to begin, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) loomed as the gatekeeper for future product approvals, and the clock was quietly ticking toward restrictions that could reshape how, or whether, new DJI gear reaches American buyers. In that environment, the Chinese tech giant didn’t want to spend 2025 waiting for Washington to make up its mind. The strategy was clear from the start: keep releasing, keep certifying, and keep moving while the door remained open.

That mindset defined everything DJI did this year.

As 2025 wraps, creators everywhere are hitting play on the year’s most memorable moments, and a lot of them were captured with Insta360 gear. The company’s end-of-year video shows everything from skiing, snowboarding, diving, surfing, fishing, skydiving, hiking, traveling, vlogging, cycling, mountain biking, motorcycling, base-jumping, and everything in between — all shot with Insta360 gear. Here’s every key product Insta360 released in 2025 and what made them stand out…

DJI is quietly making its newest wireless microphone system even better. The company has rolled out a fresh firmware update for the Mic 3, bringing small but meaningful quality-of-life improvements aimed at creators who rely on clean, reliable audio for videos, interviews, and social content.

DJI may be staring at a regulatory dead end for new drones in the US — thanks to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision that could block new foreign-made drones from entering the American market — but that isn’t stopping the company from blowing minds in imaging technology.

After the US government moved to effectively block new foreign-made drones from entering the American market, DJI has spoken out, pushing back on the decision and stressing that current customers and ongoing operations remain unaffected.

After a White House-led national security review flagged foreign-made drones as a risk, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is backing the Federal Communications Commission’s move that blocks new foreign drones from entering the US market.

The day much of the US drone community has been dreading is officially here. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken its most decisive step yet against foreign-made drones, adding DJI, Autel, and other overseas manufacturers to its national security “Covered List.” The move effectively blocks new drone models from entering the US market, marking the end of weeks of uncertainty, reviews, and waiting, as federal agencies ran out the clock on whether companies like DJI would ever clear long-promised security audits.

For years, Washington’s concerns about DJI have largely played out at the policy level: bans, warnings, executive orders, and legislation aimed squarely at the world’s largest civilian drone manufacturer. Now, that approach appears to be shifting. Instead of focusing only on DJI, US lawmakers are now publicly calling out individual American companies they believe may still be using Chinese drones at some of the country’s most sensitive sites.

If you’re still scrambling for a Christmas gift that feels exciting, thoughtful, and genuinely useful, and not like something grabbed off a shelf in panic, the DJI Mini 3 might quietly be one of the smartest last-minute wins this holiday season.

A Georgia drone pilot ignored a no-fly warning, launched anyway, and ended up with a federal criminal conviction. That’s the short version of what happened when Mitchell Parsons Hughes flew a drone over Truist Park during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July 2025, despite the stadium being protected by a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). For drone pilots across the US, the case is a blunt reminder that flying into restricted airspace isn’t a minor slip-up; it’s a federal offense.

Insta360 is kicking off winter with a major update for its popular 360-degree cameras, introducing smoother subject tracking, smarter shooting tools, and a range of thoughtfully designed new accessories. Built around real-world feedback from people filming everywhere from snowy slopes to city streets, these updates make cameras like the Insta360 X5 sharper, steadier, and even more capable when conditions get tricky.

DJI is quietly making a strong case for why its first-ever 360-degree camera deserves a spot in your holiday shopping cart. A brand-new firmware update for the DJI Osmo 360 adds creator-friendly features like vertical video recording, livestreaming, and cinematic film tones, all while the camera itself is currently available at a massive 35% discount with delivery before Christmas.

DJI has pushed out a sweeping set of firmware updates across its enterprise ecosystem, delivering smarter AI tools, more flexible automated workflows, and deeper integration between aircraft, docks, and cloud software. The updates affect DJI Matrice 4 Series, DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4D Series, DJI Matrice 400, and DJI FlightHub 2, strengthening DJI’s focus on large-scale inspections, public safety, infrastructure monitoring, and fully automated drone operations.

If you’re one of the early supporters of the HoverAir Aqua, the eagerly anticipated waterproof, self-flying drone, you’ve likely been watching shipping timelines like a hawk. After all, the crowdfunding campaign that launched in August 2025 attracted serious attention, raising over $2 million from more than 1,700 backers. Now, HoverAir has delivered a major update on when backers can expect their drones, and it’s a mix of disappointment and promise.

If you’re in the market for a drone that feels both futuristic and ready for action, DJI just gave the Mini 5 Pro another reason to steal your attention, and possibly your wallet. A fresh firmware rollout, aircraft v01.00.0400, and updated controller firmware across all major remotes have just hit the skies and brought smart enhancements that make this featherweight flyer even safer and more reliable.

DJI’s latest Fly app update moves the future of drone flying a little closer to your wrist. Version 1.19.4 brings Apple Watch support to three of DJI’s most portable, controller-free drones: DJI Neo 2, DJI Flip, and DJI Neo. That means you can view live video, check battery levels, and issue basic voice flight commands from your Apple Watch (Series 8 and newer), while your phone stays in your pocket.

One-click drone 3D modeling specialist SkyeBrowse has just released its most significant update of the year. The super simple drone reality capture platform has rolled out enhancements that make 3D modeling even faster, higher quality, and more accessible, even in remote locations with poor cellular connectivity.

DJI has made flying a drone feel a whole lot more futuristic. With a brand-new firmware update, the DJI Neo 2 now supports Apple Watch remote control, letting you steer, track, record, and manage your drone right from your wrist. And here’s the kicker: the original DJI Neo is getting the same Apple Watch compatibility soon, making this upgrade a big win for every buyer in the Neo lineup. If you’re an Apple user who’s been flirting with the idea of buying a drone, this is the moment DJI clearly wants you to jump in.

With the holiday season in full swing, many Americans are already preparing for festivities, winter road trips, or cozy nights at home… but there’s another reason this time of year is ideal for buying a portable power station: winter storms and cold weather create a high risk for power outages. That’s exactly why DJI power stations, now at their lowest prices ever, are suddenly topping holiday shopping lists across the US.

DJI’s newest palm-sized camera drone, Neo 2, has quietly slipped into the US through third-party resellers, and the ripple effect is instant: the original DJI Neo Fly More Combo and other Neo bundles are now seeing discounts of up to 21%. The best part? You can scoop up the OG Neo for only $159, which is the lowest price a 4K DJI drone has ever been.

DJI is closing out the year with another heavy-lift announcement, quite literally. Months after debuting it in China earlier this summer, the company has officially launched its most powerful delivery drone, the DJI FlyCart 100 (FC100), for the global market.