DJI unveils its first 360-degree drone amid patent dispute with crosstown rival Insta360

DJI has officially entered the 360-degree aerial imaging arena with the launch of the DJI Avata 360, marking a significant expansion beyond its traditional drone markets. The new product, starting at 4,388 yuan ($626), features a distinctive four-propeller design reminiscent of the Avata 2 FPV drone. Its key technical specification is a front-mounted omnidirectional camera system capable of capturing high dynamic range (HDR) footage at 8K resolution and 60 frames per second, positioning it as a direct competitor in a niche currently led by Insta360.

The product launch is strategically timed amid an escalating legal battle between the two Shenzhen-based tech giants. DJI has filed a lawsuit against Insta360 with a local court, alleging infringement of six patents that cover core technologies including drone flight control, structural design, and image processing. In response, Insta360 CEO Liu Jingkang has publicly stated that an internal review indicates the contested innovations were developed independently within his company. This move signals DJI's aggressive strategy to defend its intellectual property while simultaneously capturing market share in the nascent 360-degree drone segment, setting the stage for a high-stakes corporate and legal showdown in the consumer drone industry.