DJI Neo: The Palm-Sized Drone That's Big on Features

DJI Unveils the Pocket-Sized Drone: DJI Neo

DJI, the world's leading drone manufacturer, has launched the DJI Neo, a tiny, budget-friendly selfie drone that can be launched from the palm of your hand. This drone is designed for capturing unique, personal moments, whether it's a selfie during a hike, a dynamic video of a skateboarding trick, or just a fun way to explore the world from a new perspective.

Unveiling the Features of the DJI Neo

DJI Neo is the lightest drone in DJI's lineup, weighing just 135g, making it regulation-friendly and easy to carry. It is equipped with propeller guards, adding an extra layer of safety for both the drone and its surroundings.

Size and Design: Palm-Sized Convenience

One of the key features of DJI Neo is its size. At only 130 x 157 x 48.5 mm (L x W x H), it's incredibly compact. Its design resembles a miniature version of the DJI Avata, with its prop-guard design, making it both portable and safe. This makes the DJI Neo a great option for beginners and experienced pilots alike, offering a fun and easy-to-use flying experience.

Regulation-Friendly and Safe for Beginners

The DJI Neo's lightweight design makes it regulation-friendly in many countries. In the UK, it can be flown in the A1 subcategory, allowing flights over people but not over crowds. This means you won't need to complete the UK CAA's Flyer ID test or undergo official drone training. However, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with local regulations before flying. The included propeller guards add an extra layer of safety for those who are new to drone flying.

Palm Takeoff and Landing: A Controller-Free Experience

The DJI Neo's most notable feature is its ability to take off and land from your palm. To activate this feature, press the Mode button on the drone, select your shooting mode, and the Neo will automatically handle the rest. This makes it perfect for effortless selfies and quick captures.

Flight Time and Charging

The DJI Neo boasts up to 18 minutes of flight time on a single charge, allowing for multiple palm takeoffs and landings in succession. The Fly More Combo includes a Two-way Charging Hub that can charge up to three batteries simultaneously, extending your flight time even further.

Video Capture: 4K UHD and Stabilisation

The DJI Neo is equipped with a 1/2-inch image sensor that captures 12MP stills and 4K UHD videos, with recording up to 4K/30fps or 1080p/60fps. A single-axis mechanical gimbal, coupled with RockSteady and HorizonBalancing stabilization algorithms, ensure smooth and crisp footage. These algorithms help reduce shake and correct horizon tilt within ±45°. The DJI Neo also offers a range of intelligent shooting modes, including Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang. These modes provide creative and dynamic shot options, making it easier to capture stunning visuals. The DJI Neo also supports subject tracking, making it ideal for dynamic selfies and following your subject during various activities.

Storage and Connectivity

The DJI Neo comes with 22GB of onboard storage, capable of storing up to 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. However, external SD card support is not available. The drone can quickly transfer footage to the DJI Fly app via WiFi, making it easy to edit and share your creations.

Control Options: Controller-Free, Remote, or FPV

The DJI Neo offers a variety of control options to suit different preferences. It can be flown without a controller using the DJI Fly app, allowing for intuitive control through your phone. The Fly More Combo includes the DJI RC-N3 controller, which offers traditional RC control and requires a separate smart device. The DJI Neo is also compatible with DJI's third-generation FPV gear, including the DJI Motion 3, DJI Goggles 3, and FPV Remote Controller 3, opening up the world of immersive FPV flying.

Safety Features

The DJI Neo is designed with safety in mind, incorporating several features to ensure safe operation. It comes with propeller guards, which protect the drone and its surroundings in tight spaces. An infrared and monocular vision positioning system enables stable hovering and positioning. The DJI Neo also features a downward visual positioning system with a precise hovering range of 0.5 to 10m. However, it does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities, so it's important to be aware of your surroundings when flying.

Return to Home (RTH)

For added convenience, the DJI Neo supports automatic Return to Home (RTH). This function allows the drone to automatically navigate back to its take-off point, ensuring a safe return.

Wind Resistance and Operating Temperature

The DJI Neo is built to withstand challenging conditions. It features a Level 4 wind resistance, capable of handling speeds of up to 8m/s, and operates in temperatures from -10° to 40°C.

Streamlined Editing and Sharing

The DJI Fly app offers a streamlined editing experience, allowing you to capture audio directly through your phone's microphone. The app automatically removes propeller noise and merges the audio track with your video footage. High-Speed QuickTransfer allows you to quickly move your footage to the app via WiFi, eliminating the need for a data cable. The app also provides simplified editing tools, allowing you to apply templates, sound effects, and glamour effects to enhance your creations. With these features, you can easily create and share videos without needing to download the footage to your phone, saving storage space.

Available Packages

Two versions of the DJI Neo are available: a standard version and a Fly More Combo.

Standard Package

The standard package is ideal for those who want to enjoy the controller-free experience or explore FPV flight. It includes the DJI Neo drone and its accessories.

Fly More Combo

The Fly More Combo offers additional accessories for a more complete flying experience. It includes the DJI Neo drone, two additional batteries, a Two-way Charging Hub, the DJI RC-N3 controller, and other accessories. This bundle provides extended flight time and offers a traditional RC experience.

DJI Neo: An Overview

The DJI Neo's unique combination of features makes it a compelling option for a wide range of users. Its compact size, ease of use, and affordable price point make it an ideal choice for beginners, vloggers, and travel enthusiasts. The DJI Neo also provides an accessible way for pilots to experience the thrill of FPV flying. While the DJI Neo may not be designed for heavy-duty tasks, its unique features and budget-friendly price make it a fun and versatile addition to the drone world.

Where to Buy DJI Neo

The DJI Neo is available for purchase from various retailers, including DJI's website and authorized retailers.

Conclusion: The DJI Neo Takes Flight

DJI continues to innovate and push the boundaries of drone technology with the DJI Neo, a small drone that's big on features. Its palm-sized design, controller-free operation, and user-friendly app make it an exciting option for capturing unique moments. With its affordability and focus on content creation, the DJI Neo is poised to become a popular choice for beginners and experienced drone enthusiasts alike. The DJI Neo is a testament to DJI's commitment to making drone technology more accessible and fun for everyone.

Key Takeaways:

The DJI Neo is a palm-sized, budget-friendly selfie drone.
It offers controller-free flight, palm takeoff and landing, and a range of intelligent shooting modes.
The DJI Neo captures 4K UHD video and 12MP stills with a single-axis mechanical gimbal and advanced stabilisation algorithms.
It's regulation-friendly and safe for beginners, thanks to its lightweight design and propeller guards.
It offers multiple control options, including controller-free operation, remote control, and FPV flight.
The DJI Neo is a versatile drone for capturing unique moments and exploring the world from a new perspective.