I bought DJI’s banned camera — it was cheap and easy

I now own a DJI Pocket 4 Pro, and I didn’t even have to smuggle it into the US.

I now own a DJI Pocket 4 Pro, and I didn’t even have to smuggle it into the US.

by Sean HollisterAug 20, 2026, 1:00 PM UTCSean Hollister is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.

As a kid, I always imagined the “black market” would be like the movies: Shady vendors hawking illicit goods along