Comparison: DJI Mavic Mini vs Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE drone
In this post, we compare the Xiaomi X8 SE drones from Fimi and the Mavic Mini from DJI.
We’ll cover hardware, camera, flight time and range, applications and flight modes, as well as battery and value for money.
Both drones are foldable drones that come with a good camera and all kinds of sensors. The main difference between the two drones is their size and weight.
In our comparison, you can find out how they differ in detail and which drone is best for you.
Package contents and accessories for Mavic Mini and Xiaomi X8
Both drones come in an elegant white package. There are not many accessories on the Xiaomi X8. FIMI scope of supply includes:
drone
remote control,
Smartphone cable, three pieces
six rotors (two spare)
Charging cable and battery (4500 mAh)
Instruction in English
It’s not that much at first, and if you want more, you’ll have to buy accessories. It would have been desirable to have a bag and two more spare rotors, but the Mavic Mini doesn’t offer anything more in the standard version:
DJI Mavic Mini drone
remote control
Battery (2400 mAh)
Charging cable
one replacement propeller included
screwdriver
Screw protection
Smartphone cable
Instruction in English
If you need more accessories such as a spare battery, you must buy accessories separately from FIMI. DJI, on the other hand, offers the Fly-More Combo package for an additional cost of just under € 100.
DJI’s Fly-More package includes:
pocket
Replacing the cable
360 ° drone protection
two sets of interchangeable propellers
two extra batteries, two extra USB cables
It’s not a bad deal, especially two batteries at this price are more than okay.
FIMI has other accessories too, unfortunately no offer similar to DJI’s Fly-More package:
waterproof bag (30 euros)
two sets of interchangeable propellers (15 euros)
Signal amplifier antenna (€ 11)
Long chassis, chassis, extended leg, tread holder (12 euros)
Protectors (5-15 euros)
Spare battery (€ 80)
Addressable engraving (5 euros)
Prices are from Amazon, there are different stores. All accessories are specially designed for FIMI X8. However, there are also universal accessories that are compatible with this drone.
Equipment and technical characteristics of drones
In terms of equipment, DJI and FIMI have not saved. But they are also not top models like the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. In the following table, you can see the technical specifications of both drones.
DJI Mavic Mini Model: Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE
Sensors
Optical flow, ultrasound, barometer
Optical flow, ultrasound,
barometer
positioning
GPS / GLONASS
GPS / GLONASS
Maximum speed
47 km / h, 29 km / h or 14 km / h
21 km / h or 64 km / h
the size
140 × 82 × 57mm (L × W × H) folded
245 x 290 x 57 mm (L x W x H) with propeller
204 × 106 × 72mm (L × W × H)
folded
204 x 310 x 72 mm (L x W x H)
with propeller
Weight
249 gram
790 gram
Labeling requirements
no icon required
A responsibility
Icon and responsibility
Real flight time
27-28 minutes
27-29 minutes
Control modes
Gestures
Mobile (smartphone)
Remote control
Gestures
Mobile (smartphone)
Remote control
FPV
frequency
2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz
5.8 GHz
Transmission power
18 dBm at 2.4 GHz
14 dBm at 5.8 GHz
14 dBm at 5.8 GHz
Range
2000 meters, at a frequency of 2.4 GHz
5000 meters, 5.8 GHz
price
399.95 euros
499.95 € with Fly-More Combo
From 400 to 450 euros
You can see very well that the Mavic Mini drone is lightweight and the Xiaomi X8 SE is not keeping up with it. The Mavic Mini also leaves Xiaomi behind in terms of compactness.
When folded, the Mavic Mini is hard to beat. When it comes to weight, DJI has no questions, because the Mavic Mini weighs only 249 grams and is therefore unmarked.
Otherwise, at the moment there are not too many differences between the two models. But the Mavic Mini lives up to its name:
DJI Mavic Mini Camera Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE
No manufacturer has saved anything with the camera. However, the Xiaomi X8 SE is one step ahead in image and video quality. Because Fimi has equipped the Xiaomi drone with a 4K camera. The camera records images at 3840 x 2160 pixels and can record at 30, 25 or 24 images per second.
Other resolutions can also be set in favor of higher frame rates. The maximum frame rate is:
2.7K: 60fps
1080p: 120fps
720p: 240fps
The baud rate at which recording is performed also varies and is a maximum of 100 Mbps. Since the camera can record 120 Full HD images per second, it can be used even for slow motion recording.
It also satisfies the needs of amateur photographers. Only a small sensor with little light incidence will slightly reduce image quality, but only in low light conditions.
Xiaomi X8 SE record
However, with the Mavic Mini, the maximum resolution is 2.7K or 2720×1530 pixels at 25 or 30 frames per second. In Full HD resolution, the frame rate is up to 60 frames per second, which fully meets the requirements of social media.
DJI Mavic Mini Recording
And the maximum speed of the Mavic Mini is only 40 Mbps. So the camera is by no means bad, but the Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE is one step ahead of the Mavic Mini here.
For a better overview, we have compiled a table with the characteristics of both cameras:
Therefore, if you want a very good camera with RAW storage format and 4K recordings, you will not be satisfied with the Mavic Mini at this stage and you are better off using the Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE or other 4K drones such as the DJI Mavic Air or Hubsan. Zino 2 drone.
Also on droneprozone.com there is a detailed test video for both drones. You can watch it on our YouTube channel or here as an embedded video in the test report:
APP and smart drone flight modes
Of course, both drones have an app. The Mavic Mini is the DJI Fly app. Fly App is a neat and intuitive application with many convenient settings.
The controls are intuitive and you can get your bearings quickly. You can find links to the app in the DJI manual. This is also done with the Xiaomi X8 SE drone and you can find the drone links in the manual.
Applications differ mainly in usability and clarity. As the DJI Fly app, as mentioned, is very beginner friendly. Though Fimi lists many customization options in one fell swoop.
However, in terms of functionality, the two apps are no different. Both drones have various intelligent flight modes on board:
Waypoint flight: The drone will automatically fly to the set waypoints, take photos and shoot videos.
Droni: The drone is moving upward from the starting point. Good perspective for group photos.
Smart Track: Using the Smart Track feature, the drone can track a moving object such as a cyclist. This works very well with both models and the drone does not lose sight of its target even when changing direction quickly.
DJI Mavic Mini Active / Smart Track
Orbit: The drone rotates around its starting point or an object that has been detected by the tracking function and continuously and evenly draws a circle at the specified height.
Helix / Spiral: Helix Mode (DJI) or Spiral Mode (Fimi) is a combination of Orbit and Dronie. The drone moves slowly upward from the starting point and draws circles continuously.
Rocket Mode: In this mode, the drone camera takes the starting point in focus and shoots upward at a 90 degree angle, keeping that starting point in focus.
Cinema Mode: The acceleration speed is reduced in this mode so that the movements when recording from the drone do not look too sharp. Braking is softer too.
In addition, the Xiaomi X8 SE has several flight modes that the Mavic Mini is not aware of. These include Heading Lock, Tripod, Tap Fly and SAR Mode.
Course Lock: The drone is constantly flying in one direction, the drone is put into headless mode.This way, the drone stays in a certain direction even if you turn your head.
Tripod: Tripod mode, the drone moves very slowly and stays in the air.
Tap Fly: This allows the drone to automatically navigate to that position with a single tap on the map.
Fixed-wing: Fixed-wing mode forces the camera to tilt to a curve, thereby simulating the flight sensation and image of a fixed-wing aircraft.
SAR Mode: In SAR mode, you can see the coordinates of the drone in real time while flying. They are also shown in the video.
Flight time, battery and range in comparison
Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE and DJI Mavic Mini are very similar in flight time and flight range. Both have less than half an hour flight in real conditions.
With the DJI Mavic Mini, we achieved a maximum flight time of 28 minutes in practical tests, while the Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE reached 29 minutes. Both values are only slightly lower than the flight times indicated by the manufacturer and are therefore satisfactory.
In terms of range, the Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE invites you on long-haul flights.
Of course, the maximum delivery distance in Europe is limited to 1000 meters, but this can be changed. Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE creates a control range of up to 5000 meters and image transmission.
Range of Xiaomi X8 SE drone
The Mavic Mini can’t handle this. The DJI model has a range of only 2000 meters.
We were not able to verify this personally, because we comply with legal regulations in the USA and must only fly within sight and at a maximum altitude of 100 meters.
In terms of battery, DJI shows a short charging time of just 2.5 hours for the small 2,400mAh battery. The larger, 4,500mAh Fimi drone fully charges in about three to four hours.
Despite this difference, the flight time differs slightly, the reason for the larger battery at the same flight time is the heavy weight of almost 800 grams of the Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE drone.
Conclusion for both models
Let’s open a conclusion with some advantages and disadvantages of two drones.
DJI Mavic MiniXiaomi Fimi X8 SE
privileges
Long flight time
Intuitive controls and new app perfect for beginners
No labeling requirements
Complex suspension system
Good flight performance, fully automatic balancing
Ideal for VLOG
folding design
different flight modes
FPV mode possible
Long flight time
Complex suspension system
More flight modes than the Mavic Mini
Good flight performance, fully automatic balancing
Very good camera
Complex application
disadvantage
No obstacle detection
No micro USB port
No IPX certification, no water resistant
No 4K camera
No obstacle detection
Heavy weight
Less intuitive app control than DJI-Fly app
Both drones are very good models. As mentioned, you should be happy with the 2.7K Mavic Mini. If you want a 4K camera, you’d better use the Xiaomi X8 SE or other drones with a 4K camera and good equipment.
In addition, the Xiaomi X8 SE offers more in-app customization and a much larger range. The latter, however, is less important to us due to the legal regulations in the USA. Moreover, the Mavic Mini does not have a short range from 2000 meters.
Otherwise, the two drones differ from each other in several ways. The last big difference, of course, is size and weight. Since the DJI model weighs only 249 grams, you don’t need a badge, just drone liability insurance. Xiaomi X8 SE needs both.
The DJI Mavic Mini is also slightly cheaper, even with the Fly-More Combo package. For newcomers, the DJI Mavic Mini is definitely one of the best drones on the market.On the other hand, those who need a little more functionality and a better camera will be able to make friends with the Xiaomi X8 SE. This drone also has a good value for money.
That’s all for our comparison of the two models. If you choose one of the two, you can buy it here:
Click here to see the DJI Mavic Mini! *
This is the road to Xiaomi Fimi X8 SE! *
If both drones don’t suit you, you can check out our other reviews:
Xiaomi X8 SE record
DJI Mavic Mini Recording
DJI Mavic Mini Active / Smart Track
Range of Xiaomi X8 SE drone
On the other hand, those who need a little more functionality and a better camera will be able to make friends with the Xiaomi X8 SE. This drone also has a good value for money.
