The DJI Government Ban and the Osmo Pocket 4

DJI just recently released its latest iteration of one of its most popular vlogging cameras: the Osmo Pocket 4. Compared to the previous-generation Osmo Pocket 3, the Pocket 4 brings advancements such as 4K at 240 frames per second over the Pocket 3's 4K 120 fps, as well as other features.

However, this new product will not be coming to the US in the near future. Ever since December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned every single one of the Chinese company's products, including gimbals (which are stabilized holders for cameras/phones), cameras, and drones. Back when Congress passed and President Biden signed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, December 2025 was the deadline for the government to look more closely into DJI's products through a security audit. DJI protested about nothing being done regarding the audit as the December deadline approached, but the Trump Administration had other things to worry about. Now, not only are all of DJI's products banned and part of the so-called "Covered List," but all drones that are produced out of the country have also become prohibited for purchase by US customers.

After the government announced that DJI's entire product line would be added to the Covered List at the end of December, DJI sued, but with no success. It is widely known that the FCC is only allowed to add products to the Covered List if they are causing some kind of security threat to the country. However, the US government has never explicitly stated any security threat from DJI's products, and has also not given DJI the chance to defend itself. Interestingly, the US government refused to send representatives to its own audit on DJI's company, even when the government had plenty of time to plan for the audit as it was tentatively scheduled at the end of 2024.

Luckily, for customers looking to purchase a DJI product after the ban began, there have been ways. Certain DJI drones, such as the Mavic 4 Pro and Avata 360, have been available from retailers such as B&H Photo, with lower availability, even though they are not offered on DJI's online store.

That is not the case with the new Osmo Pocket 4. Instead of this product being sold from major photography retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama or other major companies like Target and Best Buy, customers are out of luck when it comes to buying this vlogging device. Previously during the ban, DJI said that its products wouldn't be "officially" purchasable through its online store. With the Osmo Pocket 4, though, DJI has specifically stated that this particular device will not be available in the US because "authorization is still pending."

This means that it is fairly likely that the Osmo Pocket 4 might never come to US markets. What's more, DJI is going to have a difficult time bringing any future releases to the United States, as it seems that the US government is not planning on taking DJI off the Covered List in the future, if ever.

In summary, customers should not expect to see the Osmo Pocket 4 in US markets anytime soon, and possibly none of DJI's future products as well. That really only gives customers the painful option to settle for the now "outdated" Osmo Pocket 3.