ATOM 3
Potensic · China · also known as Potensic ATOM 3, Potensic Atom 3 · Updated
ATOM 3 is a sub-250 g folding camera drone developed by Potensic of China, released in May 2026 and shown publicly at IFA Berlin that September. It is Potensic's current flagship consumer drone, carrying a 1/1.3-inch sensor with an 8K photo mode and a 48 mm medium-telephoto lens alongside its standard wide-angle camera.
Overview
Potensic released the ATOM 3 in May 2026 as the newest model in its ATOM line of folding, GPS-stabilised camera drones, which also includes the entry-level ATOM SE and ATOM LT and the mid-range ATOM and ATOM 2. The company exhibited the ATOM 3 at IFA Berlin in September 2026. Potensic markets the aircraft, like the rest of the ATOM line, as a beginner-friendly model that stays under the 250 g threshold several aviation authorities use to exempt light drones from registration or pilot-certification requirements, though local rules vary and pilots should confirm requirements in their own country.
Design and capabilities
Potensic's product page lists the ATOM 3 at under 249 g, powered by a 6,200 mAh battery that the company's fast charger can recharge in about 1.5 hours; an optional parallel charging hub handles up to three batteries at once. Potensic quotes a flight time of up to 40 minutes with the standard battery sold in Europe, or up to 50 minutes with a long-endurance battery option offered in other regions. The video link uses a triple-band 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz dual-band transmission system that Potensic rates for a one-way range of up to 16 km under unobstructed, interference-free test conditions at 120 m altitude, which the company says does not guarantee real-world distance. Potensic has not published a maximum speed figure.
The main camera uses a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.8 aperture, capturing 50-megapixel stills, 8K photos and 4K/60fps HDR video (with 2.7K and Full HD modes and 7x slow motion at 1080p), plus a separate 48 mm medium-telephoto mode giving up to 4x-equivalent zoom at 4K. The included controller has a built-in 5.5-inch, 1920×1080, 900-nit display. Potensic's AI Smart Tracking 2.0 follows subjects at altitudes under 4 m, and the aircraft offers automated short-video modes such as Vertigo Shot and Drift.
Use cases
Potensic positions the ATOM 3 for hobbyist aerial photography and video, aimed at beginners and casual flyers who want a lightweight, registration-exempt drone with a more capable camera than Potensic's entry-level ATOM models.
Frequently asked questions
How long can the Potensic ATOM 3 fly?
Potensic quotes up to 40 minutes with the standard European battery or up to 50 minutes with an optional long-endurance battery offered in other regions.
What is the transmission range of the ATOM 3?
Potensic rates its triple-band video link at up to 16 km under unobstructed, interference-free conditions; the company says this does not guarantee range in real-world flying.
Does the ATOM 3 need to be registered?
Potensic markets it as weighing under 249 g, below the 250 g threshold several aviation authorities use to exempt light drones from registration, but pilots should check their own country's current rules.
What camera does the ATOM 3 have?
A 1/1.3-inch sensor shooting 50 MP stills, 8K photos and 4K/60fps HDR video, plus a separate 48 mm medium-telephoto mode for up to 4x-equivalent zoom.
How much does the Potensic ATOM 3 cost?
Potensic's global product page does not list a price; it offers Standard, Fly More and Fly More Combo Plus kits through its official store, with pricing that varies by region and kit.
