TechCamerasDronesDJI Flip review: The ultimate beginner drone with pro-level performanceDJI Flip combines stunning 4K video, smart AI tracking, and extended flight time in a lightweight, beginner-friendly droneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)T3 VerdictThe DJI Flip is the ultimate beginner drone, blending impressive AI features, stunning 4K camera performance, and double the flight time of the Neo, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. Its affordability, paired with premium functionality, makes it an unbeatable choice for new pilots ready to elevate their aerial creativity.Reasons to buy+Amazing photo and video quality+Affordably priced+Folding design with propeller guards+Long flight time+Autonomous shooting modes+Selfie modeReasons to avoid-Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI dronesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechCamerasDronesDJI Flip review: The ultimate beginner drone with pro-level performanceDJI Flip combines stunning 4K video, smart AI tracking, and extended flight time in a lightweight, beginner-friendly droneWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)T3 VerdictThe DJI Flip is the ultimate beginner drone, blending impressive AI features, stunning 4K camera performance, and double the flight time of the Neo, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. Its affordability, paired with premium functionality, makes it an unbeatable choice for new pilots ready to elevate their aerial creativity.Reasons to buy+Amazing photo and video quality+Affordably priced+Folding design with propeller guards+Long flight time+Autonomous shooting modes+Selfie modeReasons to avoid-Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI dronesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
DJI Flip combines stunning 4K video, smart AI tracking, and extended flight time in a lightweight, beginner-friendly drone
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)T3 VerdictThe DJI Flip is the ultimate beginner drone, blending impressive AI features, stunning 4K camera performance, and double the flight time of the Neo, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. Its affordability, paired with premium functionality, makes it an unbeatable choice for new pilots ready to elevate their aerial creativity.Reasons to buy+Amazing photo and video quality+Affordably priced+Folding design with propeller guards+Long flight time+Autonomous shooting modes+Selfie modeReasons to avoid-Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI drones
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
T3 VerdictThe DJI Flip is the ultimate beginner drone, blending impressive AI features, stunning 4K camera performance, and double the flight time of the Neo, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. Its affordability, paired with premium functionality, makes it an unbeatable choice for new pilots ready to elevate their aerial creativity.Reasons to buy+Amazing photo and video quality+Affordably priced+Folding design with propeller guards+Long flight time+Autonomous shooting modes+Selfie modeReasons to avoid-Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI drones
T3 VerdictThe DJI Flip is the ultimate beginner drone, blending impressive AI features, stunning 4K camera performance, and double the flight time of the Neo, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. Its affordability, paired with premium functionality, makes it an unbeatable choice for new pilots ready to elevate their aerial creativity.
T3 Verdict
The DJI Flip is the ultimate beginner drone, blending impressive AI features, stunning 4K camera performance, and double the flight time of the Neo, all in a lightweight, user-friendly design. Its affordability, paired with premium functionality, makes it an unbeatable choice for new pilots ready to elevate their aerial creativity.
Reasons to buy+Amazing photo and video quality+Affordably priced+Folding design with propeller guards+Long flight time+Autonomous shooting modes+Selfie modeReasons to avoid-Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI drones
Reasons to buy+Amazing photo and video quality+Affordably priced+Folding design with propeller guards+Long flight time+Autonomous shooting modes+Selfie mode
Amazing photo and video quality
Affordably priced
Folding design with propeller guards
Long flight time
Autonomous shooting modes
Selfie mode
Reasons to avoid-Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI drones
Nowhere near the flight speed of ‘big boy’ DJI drones
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityFlight performanceCamera performanceBattery life and flight timeVerdictAlso consider
Jump to category:Price and availabilitySpecificationsDesign and build qualityFlight performanceCamera performanceBattery life and flight timeVerdictAlso consider
One of these was theDJI Neo, one of the company’s cheapest and, quite frankly, most exciting drones. This dinky, super-affordable drone can be operated without a controller and perform certain manoeuvres independently.
Its camera performance isn’t on par with the brand’s mid-range models, though, and the flight time is comparatively short. Enter the DJI Flip, which I think is thebest dronefrom the brand for beginner pilots. It might look a bit stranger than other DJI drones due to the propeller guards, but the camera performance is stunning, and it has pretty much double the flight time of the Neo.
The Flip also offers controller-free operation with AI-powered subject tracking and weighs under 249g, which means you won’t need to worry about advanced pilot licences. It’s just likeDJI Mini 4 Probut much cheaper and safer. Is the DJI Flip the ultimate beginner drone? Let’s find out.
DJI Flip review
Price and availability
The DJI Flip was launched on 15 January 2025 and is available to buy now atDJI, with prices from $439/ £369/ AU$699 (Standard Combowith the RC-N3 controller). TheDJI Flip RC 2 Combocomes in at $639/ £549/ AU$949, with the only real difference being the inclusion of the DJI RC 2 Controller. The ultimateDJI Flip Fly More Combocosts $779/ £659/ AU$1,159 and includes three batteries, three spare propeller pairs, a gimbal protector, a shoulder bag and a charging hub.
Specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Design and build quality
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Although the DJI Flip shares some functional similarities with the Neo, its design is markedly different. When unfolded, it’s considerably larger than the compact Neo, measuring 233×280×79 mm. It also weighs nearly twice as much at 249g. Even so, it remains a small and lightweight drone—though not quite palm-sized.
The Flip is equipped with a sophisticated 3-axis mechanical gimbal that delivers remarkably stable, fluid footage. Paired with a sizable 1/1.3-inch image sensor, it captures stunning videos at up to 4K@60fps and crisp 48MP stills through its 82.1-degree FOV camera. While it features a single-camera setup, the Flip also supports vertical video recording in 2.7K@30fps.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Positioned above the camera unit is the 3D Infrared Sensing System, enabling the Flip to detect obstacles ahead even in low light conditions. Additionally, downward-facing cameras—similar to those on the Neo—assist with smoother take-offs and landings, even without a stable GPS connection.
Despite its lightweight construction, the DJI Flip boasts an impressive Level 5 wind-resistance rating, capable of withstanding wind speeds up to 10.7 m/s. It remains steady and responsive even in turbulent conditions (more on this below). The drone also offers 2GB of internal storage, expandable via an SD card.
For simplicity, the Flip features just two buttons: one to select functions and initiate autonomous flight, and another to power the drone on and off. Operating it couldn’t be more straightforward.
Flight performance
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Much like the Neo, the DJI Flip can be operated in three ways: via the DJI Fly app, using a DJI RC controller, or with the onboard button. Each method offers its own advantages, which I’ll break down below.
Using the button on the drone is arguably the most convenient way to capture footage. The Flip offers five QuickShot modes—Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, and Direction Track—that provide a variety of creative angles, though they do tend to focus primarily on the pilot.
Direction Track addresses a common criticism of the Neo: its inability to track the user from the front. Previously, moving toward the drone signaled it to land, making head-on tracking impossible without a controller. Direction Track solves this. When activated, the Flip maintains its set distance, even if you walk toward it. Once recording stops, the drone reverts to its standard behavior. This feature has also been added to the Neo via arecent software update.
Switching to the DJI Fly app unlocks even more control. Beyond initiating QuickShot modes, the app allows you to fine-tune settings. In follow mode, for instance, you can adjust follow distance (close, medium, far), follow height (low, flat, high), and camera mode (defaulted to video). These settings remain active across all controls until manually changed.
The app also lets you customise other flight modes—adjusting height and rotation in Rocket mode, setting a flat trajectory in Dronie mode, or defining the maximum distance in Circle mode, to name a few. Additionally, manual flight control is available through the app. While the absence of physical buttons makes it less intuitive, it adds versatility. Notably, recording audio—whether through your phone’s microphone or external devices like the excellentDJI Mic Mini—is exclusive to the app.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
For those who prefer hands-on control, the RC controller is essential. I used the superb DJI RC 2 with its built-in display, which made piloting the Flip remarkably intuitive. It’s not quite as effortless as letting the drone handle everything, but the RC 2 offers a satisfying sense of control.
The controller also makes it easier to switch between video and photo modes and adjust speed settings. Its larger interface and programmable physical buttons offer a more user-friendly experience. Personally, with my larger hands, using the phone felt cumbersome—but I had no such issues with the DJI RC 2.
Camera performance
DJI FLIP SAMPLE FOOTAGE - YouTubeWatch On
DJI FLIP SAMPLE FOOTAGE - YouTube
DJI FLIP SAMPLE FOOTAGE - YouTube
The Flip is equipped with what DJI proudly calls a high-quality imaging system, a claim it more than lives up to. At its core is a sizeable 1/1.3-inch sensor with Dual Native ISO integration, paired with a 24mm wide-angle lens and a bright f/1.7 aperture. While the Flip features only a single lens—unlike the multi-lens setups on the Mavic series—it still delivers exceptional image and video quality.
The Flip can record videos in stunning 4K at 60fps in landscape mode and 2.7K at 30fps when shooting vertically. Still images reach up to 48MP, with the added benefit of RAW photo support for greater editing flexibility. DJI also includes Glamour Effects for exported footage, adding a subtle touch of polish and vibrancy.
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The addition of vertical shooting mode is a welcome upgrade. Sure, you could crop 4K footage into a vertical format during post-production, but framing your subject is far easier when viewing it live in vertical orientation. Plus, making quick exposure adjustments on the spot becomes much more intuitive.
Using the controller unlocks even more advanced shooting modes, such as MasterShots. Like QuickShots, these automated modes harness DJI’s AI to craft dynamic, professional-looking shots with minimal input. Slow-motion video and panoramic photo modes are also exclusive to the controller, offering even greater creative flexibility.
Battery life and flight time
One big difference between the Neo and the Flip is flight time. While the former could only fly for up to 17 minutes with the propeller guards, the latter has a 31-minute Flight Time (With Remote Controller). Of course, windy conditions and faster flying modes drastically reduce this, but still, it’s impressive that the Flip can, in theory, stay airborne for this long.
If you splash the cash on the Fly More combo, you get the new Parallel Charging Hub, which charges two batteries simultaneously, significantly reducing charging time. The Fly More combo also includes two extra batteries, meaning you can fly your drone for an hour and a half without charging the batteries.
The charging time is around 75 minutes with the battery inserted in the Flip via a USB-C cable but drops to only 45 minutes using the chagrin hub. You can charge two batteries from zero to one hundred per cent, allowing you to fly the drone for an hour. Not too bad! If you can’t wait that long, just get one of the brand’sportable power stations, like the excellentDJI Power 500, and you can charge the batteries and fly the drone simultaneously.
Verdict
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
If you’ve made it this far (and didn’t just skip to the end), it should be clear that I’m thoroughly impressed with the DJI Flip. This is an outstanding drone that not only surpasses the Neo but also outperforms most beginner drones on the market.
Its advanced AI capabilities, large sensor, autonomous flight modes, and impressive battery life make it a standout. If you appreciated the Neo but felt it had its limitations, the Flip will more than exceed your expectations. Even better, it’s surprisingly affordable. Given its flight performance and exceptional imaging quality, the Flip offers incredible value for money.
But does the Flip render the Neo obsolete? Not at all. DJI’s smart marketing strategy ensures that both the Flip and the Neo serve distinct purposes, making them excellent choices for beginner pilots. However, for its more premium price, the Flip delivers a significant leap in functionality and image quality that’s well worth the investment.
Also consider
DJI Mini 3: The Mini 3 delivers excellent 4K video and vertical shooting like the Flip but lacks the same AI-powered tracking and safety-focused propeller guards. It’s a great middle-ground for beginners seeking portability without sacrificing image quality.
Autel EVO Nano+: With its large sensor and excellent 4K camera, the EVO Nano+ rivals the Flip in image quality and includes obstacle avoidance. However, it’s more expensive and lacks the same seamless DJI app ecosystem and user-friendly controls.
DJI Mini 4 Pro: The Mini 4 Pro offers more advanced obstacle avoidance and pro-level features like omnidirectional sensors and extended flight range, making it better suited for users ready to invest more. However, it’s pricier than the Flip and may feel less approachable for complete beginners.
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