DJI Lito 1 & Lito X1: Launch April 23, 2026 — Everything We Know So Far
DJI has officially set April 23, 2026 as the launch date for its new sub‑250g Lito series. A premature retailer listing has already revealed the full Lito X1 spec sheet — and the drones look like a calculated split of DJI’s Mini lineup, not a straight replacement.
The headline: two drones, two buyers
DJI is releasing two drones on the same day: the entry-level Lito 1 and the more advanced Lito X1. Both weigh under 249g and keep the foldable Mini-style design, but the positioning is clearly different.
The Lito 1 is aimed at first-time buyers replacing the aging Mini 4K. European pricing leaked through a Dealabs listing puts it at €339 (roughly $399) standalone with the RC-N3 controller, or €479 for the Fly More Combo. Spec-wise it’s a modest upgrade: a 48MP 1/2‑inch sensor, 26.2mm f/1.8 lens, 4K at 100fps, 22GB of internal storage, and roughly 30 minutes of flight time.
The Lito X1 is the more interesting launch. According to a leaked spec sheet that briefly appeared on Canadian retailer Speedy Drone’s site, it carries a 1/1.3‑inch 48MP CMOS sensor — the same size DJI uses in the Mini 4 Pro — paired with a 24mm f/1.7 lens. Video jumps to 4K at 100fps with a dedicated vertical 2.7K mode for social creators. Pricing rumors land it around $759, putting it roughly $176 below the Mini 5 Pro.
Lito X1 vs DJI Mini 5 Pro: where does it actually sit?
| Spec | Lito X1 (leaked) | Mini 5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/1.3-inch | 1-inch |
| Max Video | 4K / 100fps | 4K / 120fps |
| Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.8 |
| Transmission | O4 (9.3 mi) | O4 Plus (12.4 mi) |
| Gimbal tilt | -40° | -225° (rotating) |
| Obstacle sensing | Omni vision + LiDAR | Omni vision + LiDAR |
| Flight time | 36 min (52 with Battery Plus) | 36 min |
| Storage | 42 GB internal | – |
| Price (launch) | ~$759 | ~$935 |
Who each drone is actually for
The most important detail in all the leaks is what DJI isn’t doing: replacing the Mini 5 Pro. The Mini 5 Pro keeps three real advantages that photographers care about — the larger 1‑inch sensor, the 225° rotating gimbal for true vertical shooting, and the longer-range O4 Plus transmission.
The Lito X1, by contrast, looks engineered as a vlog drone. It has the 2.7K vertical mode, 42GB of onboard storage (so you don’t need to remember SD cards), and the aggressive price point. It’s the drone for creators who walk with their phone, not photographers who plan shots.
If the rumors hold, DJI is splitting the Mini market into two buyers:
- Mini 5 Pro — the photographer’s tool, maximum image quality, premium price
- Lito X1 — the vlogger’s tool, good-enough image quality, aggressive price
- Lito 1 — the beginner’s tool, replacing the Mini 4K
The transmission wildcard
The most speculative part of the leaks involves DJI’s next-generation O5 transmission system. Deep dives into the FCC documentation suggest the Lito series may debut O5 with Software Defined Radio and possible 5G cellular integration — which, if true, could theoretically enable unlimited range (beyond visual line-of-sight) by piggybacking on cellular networks.
We’re deliberately cautious here. The leaked retailer spec sheet listed O4, not O5. So either the early-leak unit used the older transmission system and the production unit upgrades to O5, or the O5 rumor is wrong. We’ll know on April 23.
What we’re testing when the drones arrive
As soon as the Lito X1 is available, we’re adding it to our side‑by‑side test bench. Specifically:
- Image quality against the Mini 5 Pro and Skyrover X1 in identical lighting and flight paths
- Real-world transmission range in urban environments
- LiDAR obstacle avoidance performance in low-light conditions
- Whether the 42GB internal storage actually eliminates the SD-card workflow for creators
We’re buying the Lito X1 with our own money — no DJI review units, no PR embargo access. That means our review will publish later than brands with seeding relationships, but you get the honest comparison that matters for your buying decision.