Review: DJI Neo - A Mini Selfie Drone With FPV Capabilities

• Update (November 6, 2024): The latest DJI Neo combo, the Motion Fly More Combo, comes with the new DJI Goggles N3, plus the DJI RC Motion 3, upgrading your FPV experience by enabling you to pilot intuitively with your head and wrist movements

• DJI Neo is a 135g mini selfie drone with full-coverage propeller guards;

• Take-off and land on your palm without a remote controller;

• Multiple control options: Use voice commands or the DJI Fly app; pair with the DJI RC-N3, DJI RC-N2, or DJI RC 2 smart controller for a more traditional control experience; or use with DJI's FPV ecosystem for first-person view flights;

• Benefit from 4K ultra-stabilised video, AI subject tracking, and QuickShots for streamlined and dynamic content creation;

• Combine the new DJI Goggles N3 and DJI RC Motion 3 to expertly perform aerial acrobatics with ease and utilise the AR Cursor feature to activate flight functions without taking your hands off the RC.

DJI has unveiled DJI Neo - a tiny, budget-friendly selfie drone that can be launched from the palm of your hand for a controller-free flight experience.

Equipped with propeller guards for enhanced flight safety, Neo is DJI's lightest drone to date, weighing just 135g - making it easy to transport, regulation-friendly, and able to navigate tight spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

Capture 4K ultra-stabilised video and benefit from AI subject tracking and QuickShots to streamline content creation and produce epic selfies.

A self-flying drone, Neo can take-off and land from the palm of your hand, and it can be piloted in multiple ways, including through voice commands or via the DJI Fly App for controller-free flight.

For a more traditional RC experience, use the DJI RC-N3, DJI RC-N2, or DJI RC 2 smart controller with built-in screen. Or pair DJI Neo with DJI Goggles 3, the new DJI Goggles N3, RC Motion 3, or the FPV Remote Controller 3 for immersive FPV flights, and use the motion controller to conduct aerial acrobatics. 

Three DJI Neo options are available:

• Standard Package: With the drone, basic accessories, and no controller.

• Fly More Combo: With additional accessories, including DJI RC-N3 controller, Two-Way Charging Hub, and extra flight batteries.

• Motion Fly More Combo: Includes the DJI Goggles N3, DJI RC Motion 3, Two-Way Charging Hub, extra flight batteries, and additional accessories.

The budget-friendly DJI Neo comes in at £169 for the standard package, £299 for the Fly More Combo, and £449 for the Motion Fly More Combo.

DJI Neo is available from heliguy™ - the UK's number one DJI drone dealer with in-house training, repairs, and consultancy available.

Continue reading this blog to find out more about DJI Neo. 

Key Specs At A Glance

Before we delve into DJI Neo in more detail, let's take a look at its key specifications.

DJI Neo: Lightweight Selfie Drone

One of the key features of DJI Neo is its size. Indeed, it is the lightest DJI drone to date (not including the Tello as this was manufactured by Ryze) - weighing only 135g. 

To put this into perspective, DJI's innovative DJI Mini Series drones tip the scales at just under 250g!  

As for its footprint, Neo's dimensions are 130 x 157 x 48.5 mm (L x W x H).

While its weight is more akin to the DJI Mini Series, Neo looks like a baby Avata with its prop-guard design.

Neo's compact frame and prop guards make it extremely portable and safe - ideal for beginners and a great entry-level drone - and is ideal for navigating tight spaces - outdoors or indoors.

Neo's lightweight design also ensures it is regulation-friendly: In the UK, Neo can be flown in the A1 subcategory, enabling flights over people but not over crowds. You do not have to complete the UK CAA's Flyer ID test or undergo official drone training, like the A2 CofC - although we strongly recommend that you do.

Take-off And Land From Our Palm

One of DJI Neo's biggest selling points is the ability to take off and land on your palm.

To action this quirky feature, simply press the Mode button on the drone, select your desired shooting mode, and Neo automatically does the rest to capture footage, including selfies - all without requiring a remote controller.

With up to 18 minutes of flight time, DJI Neo can perform more than 20 excursions to and from your palm in succession.

To increase efficiency, the Two-way Charging Hub (available in the Fly More Combo) can charge up to three batteries simultaneously. 

DJI Neo: Camera And Imaging System

With its 1/2-inch image sensor, DJI Neo captures 12MP stills and can produce 4K UHD stabilised videos, with recording up to 4K/30fps or 1080p/60fps.

To ensure smooth and crisp footage, DJI Neo is equipped with a single-axis mechanical gimbal, combined with RockSteady and HorizonBalancing stabilisation.

These algorithms reduce overall shake and correct horizon tilt within ±45°. 

To aid content creation, DJI Neo offers a catalogue of intelligent shooting modes, such as Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang. The table below outlines these modes.

It also supports subject tracking - following the subject in the frame. This is particularly suited to dynamic selfies.

DJI Neo has 22GB of onboard storage - supporting up to 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. However, it does not support external SD cards for additional storage.

The table below shows DJI Neo's core imaging system in more detail.

DJI Neo: Control System

The quirky DJI Neo can be controlled in numerous ways, including support for controller-free flight.

It can also be deployed with a standard remote controller - in the form of the DJI RC-N3.

Or, it is compatible with the DJI Motion 3, DJI Goggles 3, the new DJI Goggles N3, and FPV Remote Controller 3 for an FPV flight experience.

The table below outlines the various control methods for DJI Neo, which supports the O4 video transmission system.

DJI Neo: Safety Features

DJI Neo features numerous safety mechanisms.

First off, it comes with those propeller guards. These are particularly important when navigating tight spaces.

DJI Neo also utilises an infrared and monocular vision positioning system, enabling it to hover steadily in the air and maintain stability. 

Its downward visual positioning system has a precise hovering range of 0.5 to 10m.

However,  DJI Neo does not have any obstacle avoidance capabilities.

DJI Neo supports automatic Return to Home (RTH) for convenient, worry-free operation. With this mode engaged, DJI Neo can automatically navigate back to its take-off point.

A hardy little aircraft, DJI Neo has a Level 4 wind resistance, handling speeds of up to 8m/s, and operates in temperatures from -10° to 40°C.

Streamlined Editing

Combine DJI Neo and the DJI Fly app to streamline the editing process.

Use DJI Fly to capture audio: Connect Neo to your smartphone and tap the audio recording button in the app to begin recording through your phone's microphone. The app automatically eliminates propeller noise and merges the audio track with the footage.

The drone and app also support High-Speed QuickTransfer, enabling footage to be moved to the app via a WiFi connection, without requiring a data cable. 

Once your content is in DJI Fly, the app offers simplified editing options. Utilise templates and sound and glamour effects to tweak your creations. 

Create and share videos efficiently without needing to download the footage to edit, saving storage space on your phone.

DJI Neo: In The Box

Three versions of DJI Neo are available: A standard version, Fly More Combo, and DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo. 

The table below shows the differences between the three DJI Neo packages.

The standard package is ideal for those who want to enjoy the controller-free experience or jump into FPV flight.

Meanwhile, the Fly More Combo comes with additional accessories, including the DJI RC-N3 - a controller which requires a separate smart device.

The table below highlights the key specifications of the RC-N3 controller.

The third option is the DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo, which comes with the new DJI Goggles N3. Find out more about these new goggles below.

DJI Goggles N3 - The Ultimate FPV Accessory for your Neo

Experience the skies like never before with the DJI Goggles N3, designed to enhance your FPV (First-Person View) when used with DJI Neo and the DJI RC Motion 3.

These goggles - which come in the new DJI Neo Motion Fly More Combo - feature advanced head tracking, so you can control your Neo with head and wrist movements for intuitive control and perform expert aerial manoeuvres like flips and drifts with ease.

Made with user comfort in mind, the goggles can be worn with glasses without needing diopter adjustments or lens installations, and the one-tap defogging function for clear vision ensures a consistently clear line of sight and comfort.

Equipped with the O4 FHD video transmission system, these goggles provide stable 1080p/60fps live feeds with a low latency of 31 ms over distances of up to 13 km. The system automatically selects the optimal frequency band for reliable connectivity. SyncSmooth technology ensures smooth video at high speeds, and the DJI RC Motion 3 can be used as an AR cursor for easy control.

Additionally, you can connect the goggles to a smartphone for real-time feed sharing, allowing you to share the FPV experience with others. With a full 1080p 60Hz LCD screen and a 54° field of view, the DJI Goggles N3 deliver stunning visuals with minimal dizziness.

Check out the screen specs below!

DJI Neo: Who Is It For?

With its small footprint, propeller guard design, and affordable entry price, DJI Neo is particularly attractive for beginners and entry-level flyers, while vloggers and on-the-go content creators will likely find a place for it in their line up.

With its FPV capabilities and low price tag, DJI Neo also provides an opportunity for pilots to dip their toe into the water of first person view flight.

DJI Neo: Summary 

DJI has history of developing ground-breaking mini drones, and Neo is another example of pushing the boundaries - with that balance between size and functionality.

While DJI Neo isn't designed to go up against drones with more packed out specifications, it does offer some quirky features and unlocks an FPV flight experience.

And with its low price point, DJI Neo is a truly budget-friendly option that will likely appeal to beginners, vloggers, and travel content creators.  

Buy DJI Neo from heliguy™, an industry-leading UK drone specialist and a true one-stop drone shop. We provide expert support to the drone industry, including drone training, drone repair, consultancy, and next-day delivery.