DJI Phantom 3 Standard Review

Michael Iaboni Avatar

Written by:

Updated 11:20 pm

Expert Rating

82

The DJI Phantom 3 Standard comes with all the standard modes for an intelligent flight battery that’s exceptional for an entry-level drone, and its heft makes it quite stable in the air. It’s no wonder it’s considered the best drone for traveling. All of the features support a drone that goes for miles and captures everything in sight making it one of the best drones.

Why We Like It – DJI Phantom 3 Standard

The DJI Phantom 3 Standard comes with many things you wouldn’t expect an entry-level drone to come with. Some of these include a very high top speed and pretty great range that is on par with other, higher-end DJI models. But you shouldn’t be surprised. DJI is a premier drone manufacturer, after all.

Pros
  • Very Stable in the Air
  • 25 Minutes Flight Time
  • 2.7K Image Quality, Including Live View
Cons
  • DJI Go Only A Mobile App
  • 1.5 Hour Charge Time
  • Camera Always Faces Forward

Speed/Power

Unlike the DJI Inspire 2, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard comes with a max speed of 22mph according to the specs provided by DJI, and Amazon customer reviews have commented on how the unit flies, so we’ll give them that. You can set the drone for automatic takeoff via the DJI Go App (only available on your mobile device), and the drone is especially stable in the air thanks to the powerful motor. Check out the DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone for an equally stable flying experience. Take a look at our DJI Phantom 2 Vision review for a drone that can be easily set up without tools.

Range

You can get about 1,250-1,800 feet of range out of the Standard before you lose signal and return-to-home functions kick in. Flight time is around 25 minutes, which may sound like a small amount of time but is pretty good for an entry-level drone, and charge time is about an hour and a half. If you want something that will last longer, consider the Autel EVO Drone.

Durability

The Standard keeps the same four-pylon white design among all Phantom series drones. Weighing in at 2.7 pounds, it’s a little hefty compared to other drones. But this also means it’s not going to get pushed around by the wind, so we’ll consider it a plus. There is an axis gimbal mounted on the undercarriage too which stabilizes the carry when the drone is in flight. Our DJI Phantom 4 Pro review showcases a drone with obstacle avoidance if you have many obstacles around your neighborhood.

Camera Features

The camera can shoot smooth 2.7K videos which is outstanding for an entry-level model. So if you’re looking for good quality Live HD View, you’ve found it. If you absolutely need to shoot in 4K, you can check out the DJI Mavic Air Fly More Combo. The only downside to the Standard’s camera is that it always faces forward, which significantly reduces its field of view.

Value

The DJI Phantom 3 Standard supports all of DJI’s intelligent flight modes. If you dislike using your phone as a means of control, the Standard also comes with a remote controller which broadcasts over its own Wi-Fi system. However, you will still need your phone for communication and set-up which can be just a little cumbersome. Especially if you want to get flying right away.

DJI Phantom 3 Standard Wrap Up

There are some setbacks to the Standard. The charge time isn’t bad exactly, but it’s still over the one-hour benchmark we’d prefer for drones that can’t last at least 40 minutes. Still, if you want something to try your drone-tinkering skills on, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is an excellent option.