Leaked Firmware Reveals DJI Avata 360 China-first March 2026 Launch, Pricing

A leaked 16-second instructional video embedded in DJI Goggles beta firmware appears to confirm DJI has Avata 360 units in reviewers’ hands and is targeting a mainland China announcement in March 2026. Thenewcamera described the clip as "a breakthrough in DJI Avata 360 rumours" and noted the low-resolution clip - 32×32 pixels - demonstrates the battery insertion and activation process for the Avata 360.

The firmware artifact also includes the first official box image and a side-by-side comparison with the DJI Avata 2, revealing the Avata 360 as slightly larger than its 377-gram predecessor. Notebookcheck and early beta testers interpret the instructional video in DJI's beta apps as evidence DJI has already distributed sample units to reviewers and YouTubers, and Thenewcamera reported YouTubers are already preparing reviews.

Leakers and reproduced graphics supply the most concrete commercial signals: a leaked pricing graphic lists CNY 2,988 as the base SKU with a battery only, CNY 3,988 with an RC 2 remote, and CNY 5,688 for a bundle with three batteries, a charging hub, a carry case and either an RC 2 or Goggles N3. Notebookcheck reproduces the conversions of those tiers to roughly $435, $575 and $825 respectively, and UAV Coach cautions U.S. prices could be higher.

Timing and rollout appear China-first but potentially rapid. Notebookcheck cited Jasper Ellens saying "a March 2026 release remains on track" and suggested DJI may stage two Avata 360 launches in March about two weeks apart, or follow a China launch in March with a global equivalent in early April. Thenewcamera explicitly framed the product as "Delayed to March 2026, China First Announcement."

Regulatory artifacts add immediate operational implications for race organizers and U.S. pilots. UAV Coach reported leaked FCC filing images and stated "DJI managed to get FCC approval for the 360 just before the agency implemented sweeping restrictions on new foreign-made drones." That approval, if upheld, could allow event planners and rental houses to include the Avata 360 in U.S. lineups sooner than otherwise expected.

Product positioning is clear from the leaks: DJI markets the Avata 360 as a hybrid FPV platform with an integrated 360-degree camera, with Thenewcamera framing specifications as "8K Panorama, Enhanced Compatibility, and More." Competitively, UAV Coach noted Antigravity A1 was the first drone with an integrated 360 camera and listed the A1 at $1,599, making the Avata 360’s leaked starting price roughly one quarter of that figure on paper.

Credibility notes are mixed but pointed. Thenewcamera dismissed earlier fake or AI-generated content in favor of the firmware clip, Quadricotteron and unnamed early beta testers are identified as sources for the media, and Notebookcheck, DroneXL and Jasper Ellens are cited for pricing and timeline leaks. Key details remain unconfirmed in the public record: final Avata 360 weight, full battery specs and an official DJI statement.

If the March 2026 schedule holds, expect a China announcement followed by rapid review cycles from YouTubers and reproduced spec sheets, and organizers to weigh the $435-style entry price against Antigravity’s $1,599 benchmark when planning FPV race broadcasts and cinematic runs.