Well, that was fast. GoPro's long-anticipated Karma, just announced last week, ceded its status as the newest, sleekest drone on the block with today's announcement of DJI's Mavic Pro. 

Priced at $999 (or $749 without the remote-control unit), the Mavic Pro is a direct competitor to the $800 Karma. Like the GoPro system, it also has foldable arms that allow it to be easily carried from place to place, although its three-axis-stabilized 4K 30p camera is built in. Unlike the Karma, which has its own $130 "Karma Case" for transport, DJI says users can carry the Mavic Pro in a purse or backpack.

The DJI Mavic Pro, folded up and ready for transport.

It also boasts a top speed of 40 mph (compared to 35 mph for the Karma) and up to 27 minutes of flight time under ideal circumstances, compared to 20 minutes for the Karma. Both drones ship with a handheld controller, but the Mavic Pro can also be controlled with the help of a smartphone or (at shorter ranges only) with the smartphone by itself. 

The Mavic Pro controller has a bracket for holding a smartphone.

A screenshot from the Mavic Pro companion app's smartphone display.

Also working in DJI's favor is obstacle avoidance, which seems to be missing from the Karma, as well as an array of flight modes allowing the drone to follow and circle subjects. DJI said the new drone's FlightAutonomy feature relies on a system of cameras, GPS and GLONASS navigation, ultrasonic range finders, and sensors to plan and navigate routes while avoiding crashes.

On the other hand, while it might cost a little more to outfit the GoPro Karma with a camera, users will have a functioning, detachable action cam that can be used separately, while the Mavic Pro's camera is fixed to the drone. Karma also has that nifty stabilizer and grip handle, allowing it to be used handheld with compatible GoPro cameras, so GoPro devotées will definitely get some added value for their money.

Here's the marketing video for the Mavic Pro:

On the more gimmicky side of today's news, DJI is getting into the immersive-video game with DJI Goggles, a VR-style head-mounted screen that displays an 85-degree field of view captured live over-the-air from the Mavic Pro. The company said it's meant as a way to "share the in-flight view with a friend" rather than piloting the drone first-person-videogame style.

DJI said the Mavic Pro will begin shipping to customers October 15 "on a first-come first-served basis," vaguely suggesting that product shortages are in its future. It's also available on Apple.com, and DJI said it will be available in Apple Stores early in November. No word on price or availability of the goggles.