Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Is it worth it?

FiMI A3 sample footage, flight range and maximum flight time test. All you need know about this drone.

The FiMI A3 will be the first Xiaomi drone reviewed at FirstQuadcopter.com. From its announcement day I wanted to test it personally. I liked the idea that adopts analogue 5.8G FPV instead of WiFi FPV. We are proud being between the first drone blogs selected to make an in-depth review of the FiMI A3 quadcopter. My plan is to record couple of sample videos, as well as to test its flight performance (maximum control range and flight time).

At the moment, FiMI has four drones on the market: Mi Drone Mini, Mi Drone 4K, FiMI A3 and FiMI X8 SE. While the Mi Mini is an excellent entry level drone for newbies, the X8 SE is a versatile cruising drone with 4K camera and 3-axis gimbal.

Despite that FiMI A3 has been announced since October 2018, it is still hard to get one. Due to its high popularity, most online stores fulfils orders with huge delays. Unfortunately, the X8 SE is also in the same boat.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Intro

Xiaomi FiMI A3 drone review & ratings

Disclosure: I received this drone as part of a product review collaboration with FiMI. The drone was send through Banggood. Although the product was offered for free, all opinions in this review remain my own and I was in no way influenced by my partners.

From all the drones we reviewed, the FiMI A3 had the longest processing & delivery time. I waited about two months to get it in my hand. Furthermore, DHL requested lots of papers including proof of payment and some kind of quality conformity certificate. I also had to pay $63 customs duties.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Box content

Everything in the box has its own compartment in order to prevent any damaging during the overseas shipment. Together with the drone I found the following accessories: transmitter, flight battery, charger, charging cable, AC/DC adapter, 3 pairs of propeller, USB data cable and FiMI A3 manual. Although it requires two micro SD cards (one for drone and one for RC), none is included.

At a glance

First thing you note, removing the FiMI A3 from the box, is that it’s quite a large drone. It measures about 285 x 229 x 69mm and weighs more than 500 grams. Frankly, I don’t know why they didn’t adopt foldable arms. In my opinion, this approach made the Mavic Pro so popular.

As you can see in the image below, it has a minimalist design. Excepting the red FiMI logo on top, everything else is white. Generally, the build quality is excellent, close to DJI products.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Design

Instead of self-tightening propellers, the FiMI comes with easy-to-install quick-release props. Clockwise motors and propellers are marked with a red line.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Propeller

The 3s/2000mAh battery pack is loaded from the tail. It has a standard balance RC charging port, so can be charged with most third-party RC chargers. For best flight time, you need to charge each cell with 4.35 volts. Opening the battery’s charging flap you have access to the drone’s Micro USB interface. The power button is found under the belly of the aircraft. On the opposite side, under a rubber flap, there is the 6 (2×3) pin DIY port (pin-out is: RX, TX, VCC, GND, PWM, and GPO).

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: DIY port

During night flights, you will be guided by four RGB LED lights (one at the end of each arm). Thanks to the DIY port you can easily pimp-up your FIMI with additional lights. You have two screw holes to mount any device you want under the belly of the drone.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 highlights

  • Dual satellite positioning system (GPS+GLONASS);
  • Remote controller with integrated 5.8G receiver, 4.3″ LCD and DVR;
  • Brushless motors with 7.5″ quick-release propellers;
  • DIY port for external devices (UART, PWM GPIO and Vout);
  • GPS and Sport flight modes;
  • Smart flight modes (Follow-me, Orbit, Selfie and Headless);
  • Precise one key return to home (GPS-assisted RTH);
  • Full HD camera w/ 5.8G real-time image transmission;
  • Up to 1920×1080@ 30 fps video recording (20/40/60Mbps);
  • Hybrid 3-axis image stabilisation (2-axis mechanical gimbal + 3 axis EIS);
  • About 1KM control range (FCC);
  • Up to 25 minutes flight time (depending on charging voltage).

FiMI A3 review: Remote controller

While the more expensive FiMI X8 SE is packed with a monitorless remote controller, the FiMI A3’s transmitter has a built-it 4.3″ FPV screen. Furthermore, it has an integrated DVR which allows to record the journey of your FPV flights. On the bottom part, behind the rubber flap, you can find the micro USB charging port, AV-out jack and micro SD slot. The RC has two antennas: a 2.4GHz one for aircraft control and a 5.8Ghz for the live-video feed. Through the configuration menu you can toggle between Mode 1, Mode 2 and Mode 3 operation modes.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Transmitter

On front panel, besides the usual control sticks and power button, there is a two-position switch (flight mode), RTH button and a five-directional mini joystick. Camera button (photo/video) is located on the backside of the RC.

You have one dial-knob on each upper corner of the remote. While the left dial allows to remotely adjust the pitch angle of gimbal (tilt the camera), the right one can be assigned to adjust EV values or to control the PWM outputs.

The 4.3 inch FPV screen provides detailed flight information (OSD). On the top ribbon are shown the following flight data (from left to right): drone battery voltage, number of satellites, flight mode, recording timer, FPV photo/video mode, FPV & RC signal strength and RC battery voltage. Horizontal velocity, Vertical velocity, Aircraft tail course, Flight distance and flight altitude are shown on the bottom of the screen.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: RC monitor

Thanks to the playback feature, you can review your FPV flights right on the field.

Unfortunately, in strong day light the screen is hardly visible. I hope that in the future Xiaomi will also include a sunshade in the box, especially that the RC has mounting holes for this purpose.

The remote controller’s internal rechargeable battery (3.7v/2950mAh) lasts about 3~6 flights.

FiMI A3 review: Camera & FPV

The camera is powered by an Ambarella ISP processor and a SONY CMOS image sensor. As I previously mentioned, the FiMI A3’s camera adopts “hybrid 3-axis image stabilization”. More precisely, it combines a 2-axis motorized gimbal with 3-axis electronic image stabilization. Besides jello-free shots, the gimbal also allows to change the camera tilt angle remotely. You can switch from front view do ground view.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Camera

FiMI A3 allows recording on-board (drone) as well as the FPV video feed (remote controller). Of course, the best footage quality is offered by local recording. Under the “Camera settings” menu, you can adjust EV, ISO, Shutter, Saturation and Contrast values.

The camera can record FULL HD (1920 x 1080) videos at 25fps or 30fps. Yes, no 60fps – which is pretty lame for these days. You can set 3 levels of compression: Normal (20Mbps), Fine (40Mbps) and Super Fine (60Mbps). According to the compression rate you choose, you can record approximately 100, 50, or 30 minutes on a 16GB micro SD card. Recording is stopped automatically when touching the ground (landing). Videos are split into 1GB sequences.

Although image quality is not as good as the one performed by my three year old Phantom 3 Advanced, it is pretty enjoyable and much better than provided by any other drone that I reviewed lately (JJRC X7 Smart and MJX Bugs 2 SE). The 2-axis gimbal does a great job, the videos are super smooth. Featuring standard 5.8G FPV, you can use almost any racing FPV goggles for a truly immersive first-person view flight experience. You can also connect a secondary display through the RC’s AV-out. BTW, FPV footage on RC’s micro SD card includes telemetry OSD.

If you want to display the camera’s video feed on your phone or tablet, you will need a 5.8G OTG FPV receiver like the Eachine ROTG02.

Pre-flight settings

For a pleasant flight experience, before anything else, I suggest you to read the product manual. It will teach you how to use the controller as well as how to upgrade the firmware. Also, always start your flight with a freshly charged battery.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Pre-flight settings

The FiMI A3 is ready to fly out of the box, you just need to install the quick release props and to load the battery. By default, flight distance is limited to 500 meters and flight altitude to 120 meters. You have four calibration possibilities: compass, RC, global and drone. You will need at least 10 satellites for optimal GPS assisted flights. If you want to fly indoor (without GPS), you will need to activate altitude mode under the flight mode settings menu and switch to sport mode (“S”).

You need to short press the button, than hold it till the lights turn on, in order to power ON the drone. Motors can be armed by moving both sticks to lower-inner position.

Flight experience

A few years ago, flying a quadcopter was about as a complicated as flying a real helicopter. It required complicated controls, a lot of set ups, many practicing hours, patience, and a fair bit of dexterity. Now, you have a much easier job. Practically, even a 5 year kid could pilot this drone. The Xiaomi A3 FiMI drone features 8 different smart flight modes: RTF, Auto take-off, Auto landing, Orbit flight, Follow me, Selfie mode, Headless mode and Fixed-wing mode.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Flight experience

Under the GPS settings menu, you can set few limits: flight velocity, flight altitude, flight distance and RTH altitude. Customizing these settings you can limit the flight field to your yard.

Firstly, I did a hovering test – battery life test. The FiMI A3 holds its position very well. After only 7 minutes of hovering, the drone automatically landed due to low battery voltage. WTF, even if it was the first charge, I expected at least 15 minutes of flight time. It seems that the cold weather (around -5° Celsius) has dramatically reduced the run time. The following flights lasted more, so it seems that the battery needs some break-in time. I plan to repeat the flight time test, using a high voltage charger.

I played the whole weekend with the FiMI A3, I made even a night flight. The frontal white LED lights makes it visible in the dark from long distance. RTH (Return to Home) feature is very accurate, it landed about 60cm from the take-off point.

Next week I’m going to test follow me and orbit mode. I’m also very curious to test whether in selfie mode the camera angle is automatically adjusted according to the flight height and distance from you.

Should you get a FiMI A3?

If you’re after an affordable, good-quality, hobbyist-grade flying camera, the FiMI A3 is absolutely the drone for you! It can be ordered either directly from FiMI or from other reputable online retailers. Now, you can find it on Banggood for US$299.99. Spare batteries are available starting at $42.99.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Verdict

Xiaomi FiMI A3 alternatives for 2019

Many compare the FiMI A3 with the DJI Spark and the Hubsan Zino. Actually, the A3 FiMI is a quite unique drone in its price tag. It is probably the only GPS-enabled quadcopter for less than $300, which features 5.8G real-time image transmission and it comes with an FPV transmitter. If you need 4K video recording, consider the more expensive FiMI X8 SE.

Xiaomi FiMI A3 review: Alternatives

FIMI A3 firmware updates change log

Note: You need to update each device: aircraft, camera and transmitter. While for flight controller upgrade you need to copy the fc.bin file through the micro USB cable, for the camera and transmitter upgrade you need to copy the files (firmware.bin respectively rc.bfu) directly to the micro USB cards. During flash operation, the frontal LED lights will flash rapidly.

FIMI A3 flight controller firmware

07 March 2019 – Fly Control Firmware V1023-E:

1. Optimize the gimbal self-checking after powering on;
2. Optimize the stability of the gimbal.

25 January 2019 – Fly Control Firmware V1021-E:

1. Add Cinematic mode
2. Add FPV mode
3. It require the RC firmware is V1018-A version or above

09 January 2019 – Fly Control Firmware V1019-C:

1. Optimize the stability of the drone during hovering
2. Optimize Smart Flight user experience

FiMI A3 Camera firmware

28 March 2019 – Camera Firmware V1015-A:

1. Adjust the color scheme;
2. Fix the occasional overexposure situation.

04 January 2019 – Camera Firmware V1014-A-beta:

1. Adjust the cool tone effect
2. Improve the saturation of pictures
3. Last version 1013 is attached

FiMI A3 remote controller firmware

25 January 2019 – Remote Control Firmware V1018-A:

1. Add Cinematic mode in the Smart Flight
2. Add FPV mode in Flight Mode Setting
3. It require V1021-E FC firmware version or later!

28 December 2018 – Remote Control Firmware V1016-B:
1. Add the Smart Flight UE tips
2. Add the aircraft status data

Appendix

  • DIY – Do It Yourself;
  • FPV – First Person View;
  • FPS – Frames per Seconds;
  • EV – Camera Exposure Value;
  • Gimbal – Motorised and stabilised camera mount;
  • EIS – Electronic Image Stabilisation;
  • LiPo – Lithium polymer rechargeable battery (3.7 cell voltage);
  • LiHV – High Voltage LiPo battery (3.85 cell voltage).
REVIEW OVERVIEW
Price/performance ratio
Design and build quality
Flight performance
Remote controller
Camera & FPV
Flight time
Senior editor and co-founder of FirstQuadcopter.com. Everything started about 4 years ago when I purchased my first drone. I still own that Syma X5C . Since then I have had the luck to review and test more than 100 drones.
xiaomi-fimi-a3-reviewIs there a more capable GPS enabled drone than the Xiaomi FiMI A3 under $300? I don’t think so. This quadcopter has a bit from everything. Decent flight time, excellent control range, complete FPV system, smart flight modes and, of course, quite good camera system. <br> What makes the FiMI A3 a good deal?<br> +Friendly price tag;<br> +Ready to fly out of the box;<br> +Firmware upgrade support;<br> +Multiple flight modes;<br> +2-axis gimbal and 1080P camera;<br> +Analogue 5.8G FPV instead of WiFi one;<br> +Remote controller with built-in monitor;<br> +Quick-release propellers.<br> <br> Were FiMI could have been done better?<br> -Delayed shipping - they should process faster the orders / pre-orders;<br> -Bulky charger - they should include a much more versatile HVLI balance charger;<br> -Only up to 30fps - It could record with at least 60fps;<br> -FPV screen is hardly visible in strong daylight - A sunshade could solve this issue;<br> -No micro SD card - While you need two memory cards, none is included.<br>

39 COMMENTS

  1. This copter is very very nice for its price, actually, I’d say that In would’ve paid more for it. Love it. I’ve had a few drones, but this one is my fav.

  2. Imam ovaj dron i jako sam zadovoljan s njim ali imam jedan problem a to je korisnicki prirucnik koji je jako stur a nije na Hrvatskom vec jedino na engleskom a ja govorim taljanski i njemacki pa bi volio ako netko moze da mi pomogne u vezi s tim i jedno pitanje dali mogu snimat direktno na mobitel umjesto na karticu u dronu ili mogu li na oboje snimat.Mobitel mi je isto Xiaomi redmi note 8 Pro sa MIUI verzijom 12.0.3

    I have this drone and I am very happy with it but I have one problem and that is the user manual which is very old and not only in Croatian but only in English and I speak Italian and German so I would like if someone can help me with that and one question whether I can record directly on my mobile phone instead of on the card in the drone or whether I can record on both. My mobile phone is also a Xiaomi Redmi note 8 Pro with MIUI version 12.0.3

  3. Hallo. Nach dem Erwerb dieser Drohne bin ich verzweifelt auf der Suche nach einer deutschen Bedienungsanleitung. Bis jetzt immer wieder erfolglos. Könnenn Sie mir einen Tip geben?
    Danke

    Hello. After acquiring this drone, I am desperately looking for a German manual. Until now always unsuccessful. Can you give me a hint?
    Thank you

  4. I have a question regarding the number of firmware updates. The fimi website shows a total of 3. I counted 7 updates by you. Does the 3 updates on the fimi website contain all 7 that you have listed ?

    Thanks Ron

  5. By default the range is set at 120M by 500M range. I see this up on the screen in one of your pictures posted. I’m guessing this can be adjusted to reach the range of 1,000 meters as they say ? If adjustable can you tell me what the max altitude is ?
    Thanks !

  6. Hi
    you make reference to the 8X that i believe is now readily available. have you done a review on it? i am trying to figure out if the 8X also has the 5.8G real-time image transmission as i would very much like to fly with my own Fat shark goggles.

    • No, i didn’t review it yet.
      Only the A3 has 5.8G FPV, the X8 has its on protocol and can be used only with a mobile device (tablet/phone)

  7. Save yourself the time and just throw the money in the garbage. I read all the reviews. Ordered a drone and a charger. It came with a European plug. Had to get a US adapter. Charged both batteries to avoid the frustration later. Put 1 in and then the other. Both beep 3 times and nothing happens. Order a Uruav charger. Plug ’em both in until the green light goes out. Same thing. RC shows the drone battery dead all 4 times. Absolute garbage.

  8. Excellent quadcopter and easy to use. The built-in FPV screen on the controller makes it so nice, no mobile device required. The camera has good quality, but not as advertise by Xiaomi/FIMI.

  9. Waited awhile for this quadcopter, I paid on march, received on July. Luckily once shipped arrived quickly. Build quality is excellent. Exceeds my expectations from such affordable GPS bird. The FIMI A3 replaces out my Syma X8 quad. Better camera, radio controller + GPS. Has all the best features and latest technology. Furthermore it can be used with FPV goggles :)

  10. My Fimi A3 arrived and not tested yet… It has production date of 2019 March, it is latest version? it is still has foggy lens issue???

  11. great review! mine just arrived too, I’m wondering if i need to flash the latest firmware prior my first flight.

  12. Hi, I just got this drone but i realized my SD cards are faulty. You said that it requires two sd cards? Shouldn’t one be enough, that will be in the drone’s slot to take photo/videos? Do I need two, one for RC and one for FC, in order to take photo/videos?

    • You can record with one card in the drone, but i suggest you to load a second card on the RC (it can be a cheap 2-8GB one). It records the video with GPS info. So if you crash the drone you find it much easily.

  13. did you test it with the latest firmware, it has better image quality? I just ordered the FIMI A3 and i want to know if it worth to upgrade the soft, or will work with the stock one.

    Thanks
    Greg from UK

  14. My FIMI A3 always shows “Unable to enter GPS Mode”, what does it means, can you please help.
    and how to rectify this issue.

  15. Really very good and detailed test! I can agree with all your words, because I received this drone on 3rd of January. I was flying in winter weather and I got only 14 minutes of flight time. I wish you very happy flying during next part of your testing.

  16. my arrived last week. I got about 14 minutes flight time. do you know how can i get 25 min with the fimi a3? can you suggest me a better lipo charger.

    thanks
    Greg from UK

    • yes Greg, charging the lipo to 4.35v/cell you can get 21-22 minutes.
      most of the chargers can’t charge the FIMI A3 battery, you need a balance to discharge cable adapter.

      • Where can I find this kind of adapter? I have a SkyRC S60 charger but it gives an error cause it cannot charge via its balance port only :-(.

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