Drone enthusiasts in the United States may be eagerly awaiting the Potensic Atom 3 due to its small size and affordable price, but just like drones made by DJI, devices from Chinese company Potensic have also been banned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The ban is a result of the FCC’s list of covered products and applies to the sale of all foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) (drones) in the United States. The FCC ban applies to new products, rather than existing drone models that were previously certified for U.S. sales before the December 2025 ruling, and this includes Potensic’s new Atom 3 drone.
But perhaps there is a glimmer of hope for the Potensic Atom 3 after all. The company told PCMag that it is seeking FCC certification for the Atom 3 despite the ban and is “optimistic” about the future. In its initial ruling, the FCC said that critical foreign-manufactured UAS devices and parts pose “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or to the safety and security of American citizens,” but it also left the door open to authorizing certain products if they do not pose such a threat, as determined by the U.S. War Department or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The article goes on to say that the FCC has not yet approved the banned drones.
What the Atom 3 has to offer
The entry-level version of the Potensic Atom 3 uses a lower capacity battery and weighs 249 grams. This is important because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies drones weighing less than 250 grams (0.55 pounds) as recreational flight devices, so users do not need to register the drone as long as its total weight (including accessories) does not exceed this limit. This means that the Atom 3 could be used without registration without the FCC ban.
The standard battery provides 40 minutes of flight time, while a larger battery extends flight time to 50 minutes – and adds weight. The batteries support fast charging and reach a full charge in 90 minutes. The Atom 3 also offers a large 1/1.3-inch image sensor that supports 50-megapixel photos and 4K videos at 60 frames per second (fps), allowing users to capture “dynamic scenes with reduced motion blur and improved clarity.” Additionally, a next-generation AI night mode improves nighttime photography. An AI Tracking 2.0 mode allows the drone to track users at an altitude of just 4 meters (13 feet) and data transmission reaches 16 km (about 10 miles).
Potensic offers the Atom 3 in several variants. The standard kit is the cheapest, at $429.99, including the drone, a battery and a controller using the user’s smartphone. The most expensive kit is the Fly More Combo Plus at $739.99, which includes a controller with a built-in screen, three batteries with a dedicated charger, additional propellers, and a carrying case.
Why did the FCC ban foreign drones?
Security is the primary reason the FCC added foreign-made consumer drones to the list of covered devices, and it explained that such devices can be used for military activities, such as surveillance, on U.S. soil. Malicious actors could use commercial drones for activities that could endanger the public. The FCC also said the domestic drone supply chain and manufacturing can “reduce the risk of direct UAS attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, exfiltration of sensitive data, and other UAS threats to the nation.”
Drone buyers looking for a device like the Atom 3 may have to wait a long time before the FCC removes foreign drones from the list of covered drones or for U.S. drone makers to create similar models. Drones under 250g like the Atom 3 should be safe to fly over people, given FAA regulations, but surveillance and data exfiltration appear to be the main concern with these recreational drones. In addition to drones, the FCC has also banned foreign-made Internet routers for similar surveillance reasons.
