AE60 Ultra drone overview: 4K camera, 5x optical zoom and Android touch remote

A new AE60 Ultra drone has landed on AliExpress, and its spec sheet reads like it belongs to a higher tier. For $290, buyers get an aircraft with a 4K camera, 5x optical zoom, and even a mechanism for dropping small payloads.

The manufacturer says the drone can stay aloft for up to 29 minutes and send video back from as far as 12 km. Control comes via a 7.2-inch touch remote running Android, which allows installing third-party apps and tapping into more advanced navigation options—an approach that hints at a more flexible workflow than most bundled controllers offer.

The camera sits on a three-axis gimbal and uses two modules: a main unit with a 110° field of view and a zoom lens with five-times optical magnification. For steadier flights, there’s obstacle avoidance and GPS guidance, which automatically returns the aircraft to its takeoff point when the battery runs low. On paper, it’s a safety net that should make early flights less stressful.

There are caveats. The payload-drop feature may be restricted in some countries without special authorization. And with a weight of 727 grams, the device exceeds hobby-drone thresholds in certain regions. Before taking off, it’s worth checking local rules—compliance could be the real deciding factor here.