There’s now an entire subcategory of small, pocketable camera drones built just for capturing selfies, and ZeroZero Robotics’ HoverAir X1 ProMax might be the most assured, impressive model in it.
It’s effortlessly portable, making even the likes of the DJI Mini 4 Pro seem bulky. Weighing just 6.79 ounces with a clever folding design and all-over cage to keep the propellers out of harm’s way, the X1 ProMax can be tossed into a coat pocket or backpack without fear of it getting damaged. It’s the kind of thing you can casually bring along on any day trip or vacation alongside your sunglasses and water bottle, just on the off chance it comes in useful.
Photograph: Sam Kieldsen
Pull it out, unfold it, hit the power button, select your preferred selfie video style with the left and right buttons, place the drone on your outstretched palm facing you, tap the power button again, and it’ll take off, capture your selected shot, and return to land on your palm, ready to be put away again.
That whole process takes as little as 30 seconds and offers something impressively different to anyone looking to elevate their ‘content.’ If you happen upon a picturesque spot and want a quick video of yourself in it from an interesting angle, or want a remotely operated camera following along as you barrel down a coastal road on your bike, the X1 ProMax handles the job with a minimum of fuss. It can auto-follow a subject at a speed of up to 26 mph, and in my tests stuck to me like glue whether I was on foot or cycling.
Footage and photos can be transferred quickly to a smartphone using Wi-Fi 6 and the X1 Hover app, which allows settings to be adjusted, firmware to be updated, and the drone to be flown manually via onscreen controls.
Photograph: Sam Kieldsen
Video Options Galore
The X1 ProMax’s camera is impressive, with options to record 8K video at up to 30 frames per second, 4K HDR video at up to 30 fps, 4K video at up to 60 fps, and 2.7K HDR video at up to 60 fps. Footage can also be captured in 4K or 1080p resolution at up to 120 fps for smooth 4X slow-motion playback, while still photos are 12 MP or 48 MP.
