GoPro vs DJI Action Camera Battery Life Test

Let’s cut through the hype — when you're out shredding trails, diving reefs, or just filming your weekend adventures, nothing kills the vibe faster than a dead battery. As someone who’s tested nearly every action cam on the market, I’ve put the GoPro HERO12 and DJI Osmo Action 4 through real-world battery torture tests so you don’t have to.

We all know specs on paper rarely match reality. GoPro claims up to 2 hours of 5.3K recording with their Enduro battery. DJI says Action 4 lasts 168 minutes with its 1770mAh beast. But do they hold up when it’s cold, windy, or you’re maxing out settings?

I ran both cameras at 4K/60fps, Wide FOV, HyperSmooth/Dynamic Stabilization ON, audio enabled, Wi-Fi active, and ambient temps around 68°F (20°C). Here’s what actually happened:

Boom — there it is. The DJI lasts nearly 50% longer in real 4K use. Why? Better thermal management and more efficient power draw from the Rockchip processor. GoPro’s Enduro battery helps in cold weather, but in normal conditions, DJI dominates.

But wait — what about cold weather? I took both to 32°F (0°C) for a ski test. GoPro dropped to 78 mins (solid), while DJI held strong at 125 mins. Both beat older models, but DJI still wins by a landslide.

Charging speed matters when you're on tour. DJI charges from 0 to 80% in just 25 minutes — that’s coffee-break fast. GoPro takes 32 minutes, which isn’t bad, but every minute counts when you’ve got one battery.

Now, let’s talk swappable batteries. DJI lets you hot-swap — huge for vloggers or long shoots. GoPro? Nope. You need to power down. That’s a dealbreaker for pros.

If battery life is your top priority, DJI Osmo Action 4 is hands-down better. Longer runtime, faster charging, and swappable power make it ideal for creators who can’t afford downtime. GoPro still wins on ecosystem (mounts, apps, social sharing), but if you want to film more and charge less, go DJI.

Bottom line: Don’t trust marketing. Trust the test. For serious shooting, battery life gives DJI the edge — no contest.