TechCamerasDronesDJI Flip vs DJI Neo: which is the ultimate beginner drone?Does the Flip overshadow the smaller Neo, or are you better off giving it a miss?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechCamerasDronesDJI Flip vs DJI Neo: which is the ultimate beginner drone?Does the Flip overshadow the smaller Neo, or are you better off giving it a miss?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Does the Flip overshadow the smaller Neo, or are you better off giving it a miss?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityFlight performanceCamera performanceBattery lifeVerdict
Jump to category:Price and availabilityDesign and build qualityFlight performanceCamera performanceBattery lifeVerdict
DJI has been extremely busy in 2024, releasing one successful product after another. One of these was the very well-received model, the compactDJI Neo, an ultra-affordable selfie drone with skills like no other DJI drone. It could follow you around and can be operated without a controller for one-tenth of the price of a new Mavic Series drone.
To my surprise, the company released another selfie drone, theDJI Flip, mere months after. The newer UAV is larger, somewhat heavier and has a larger sensor; it also added new modes and sports a unique design that involves folding propellers with guards. However, the Flip is twice the price of the Neo.
At face value, the two models offer similar functionality and user experience, making it harder for beginner pilots – the primary target market for both – to decide which one to get. I tested and reviewed both, and even though I love them, one is certainly better value than the other.
Which is thebest droneof the two, and how do they compare? Just because one isn’t the best drone, does it mean it’s not worth buying? What are the pros and cons of either model? Find out the answers to these questions and more below in my full DJI Flip vs DJI Neo comparison.
DJI Flip vs DJI Neo
Price and availability
The Neo is ultra-affordable(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The Neo is ultra-affordable
The Neo is ultra-affordable
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The DJI Neo was announced in September 2024 and is now available to order directly fromDJIand authorised retail partners for a recommended price of $199/ £169/ AU$299 for the standalone combo. The Fly More Combo, which includes the RC-N3 Controller and the Two-Way Charging Hub, retails for $289/ £299/ AU$539.
The DJI Flip was launched in January 2025 and is available to buy now atDJI, with prices from $439/ £369/ AU$699 (Standard Combo with the RC-N3 controller). The DJI Flip RC 2 Combo comes in at $639/ £549/ AU$949, with the only real difference being the inclusion of the DJI RC 2 Controller. The ultimate DJI Flip Fly More Combo costs $779/ £659/ AU$1,159 and includes three batteries, three spare propeller pairs, a gimbal protector, a shoulder bag and the parallel charging hub.
It’s worth noting that the Neo receivedno discounts during Black Friday, which is no surprise considering how cheap it is at full price. Even though the Flip is more expensive, I doubt we’ll see huge discounts before DJI decides to start getting rid of its stock (in anticipation of a new model, perhaps).
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Winner: the Neo is not just cheaper but one ofthemost affordable premium drones out there, which makes it more appealing to beginner pilots.
Design and build quality
The Flip has a folding design(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The Flip has a folding design
The Flip has a folding design
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The DJI Flip and DJI Neo drones offer distinct design philosophies aimed at beginner drone users, balancing safety, portability, and ease of use.
The DJI Flip stands out with its foldable design, making it highly portable for users who need convenience without sacrificing durability. Its integrated propeller guards are designed with a web-like structure, providing an extra layer of safety during flights.
Weighing 249g, I found the Flip solid yet light, striking a balance between robustness and portability. Its infrared sensors, positioned above the camera unit, allow it to avoid obstacles in front of the drone and feature similar downward-facing cameras to detect optimal landing surfaces. It only has 2GB internal storage but is expandable with microSD cards.
On the other hand, the DJI Neo adopts a non-foldable, ultra-lightweight design that weighs only 135g. In all honesty, I don’t mind the non-folding design, as the Neo is ultra-compact as it is. Its compact size and built-in propeller guards make it exceptionally beginner-friendly, particularly for indoor flights. While its design leans more toward a toy-like appearance, the Neo remains durable enough to withstand occasional bumps and minor crashes.
The Flip offers a more advanced, polished design with a focus on versatility and safety, making it suitable for beginners interested in progressing toward professional-level drone use. The Neo, with its lightweight and straightforward design, targets users seeking an easy-to-use, durable drone for basic flying experiences. That said, both drones excel in offering safe and accessible entry points into drone flying but cater to slightly different audiences.
Flight performance
DJI Neo in subject-tracking mode(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
DJI Neo in subject-tracking mode
DJI Neo in subject-tracking mode
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The DJI Flip offers an impressive flight performance for beginners, featuring a 31-minute flight time and a range of up to 14 km. It includes AI-powered subject tracking, a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for stable footage, and strong wind resistance up to Level 5 (10.7 m/s). These features provide a smooth and stable flying experience, making it beginner-friendly yet capable of semi-professional tasks.
The DJI Neo offers an 18-minute flight time and a 7 km range, with a single-axis mechanical gimbal and electronic stabilisation for smooth footage. It features Level 4 wind resistance (up to 8 m/s) and improved tracking thanks to apost-launchfirmware update. Its lightweight build makes it ideal for stable, indoor, and beginner-friendly flights.
I found that the DJI Flip offers a more refined and versatile flight experience, handling outdoor conditions and advanced manoeuvres more easily. Its stability in the air allows me to produce smoother, cinematic footage that might appeal to users interested in pushing their creative limits. The DJI Neo prioritises simplicity and safety, making it perfect for casual flying. It feels more forgiving for beginners but lacks the agility and control that the Flip provides.
The more advanced Flip offers both QuickShots and the more advanced MasterShots, giving users access to a variety of automated flight patterns and cinematic shooting modes. This makes it ideal for capturing professional-looking footage with minimal effort. The smaller Neo primarily features QuickShots, focusing on simpler, user-friendly automated shots. Both can follow pilots automatically, though.
Winner: the DJI Flip is the better choice due to its smoother handling, greater stability, and adaptability to various flying environments.
Camera performance
The Flip has a larger sensor and more robust camera performance(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The Flip has a larger sensor and more robust camera performance
The Flip has a larger sensor and more robust camera performance
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The DJI Flip delivers exceptional camera performance for a beginner drone. It features a large, 1/1.3-inch sensor with Dual Native ISO integration, paired with a 24mm wide-angle lens and a bright f/1.7 aperture.
It’s capable of capturing high-resolution 4K video at 60fps and 48MP still images, delivering exceptional detail and clarity. Its 3-axis mechanical gimbal ensures ultra-smooth stabilisation, even during dynamic movements. AI-powered subject tracking further enhances its creative capabilities.
The DJI Flip excels in camera performance with superior stabilisation and image quality, making it ideal for users interested in capturing professional-looking, dynamic footage. Its advanced gimbal system allows for smoother, more stable shots in various conditions. The DJI Neo, while capable of capturing clear 4K video, focuses on simplicity with basic stabilisation, making it better suited for casual content and social media clips.
Winner: the DJI Flip is the stronger choice for users seeking creative flexibility and higher-quality visuals.
Battery life
Both drones can be bought with multi-battery chargers(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Both drones can be bought with multi-battery chargers
Both drones can be bought with multi-battery chargers
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
The DJI Flip offers significantly longer battery life, providing up to 31 minutes of flight time. This extended duration allows for more creative flexibility and longer shooting sessions. The Neo has a shorter battery life, offering up to 18 minutes of flight time, which is more limiting but still sufficient for casual and beginner users.
While both have their The DJI Flip supports faster and more efficient charging with an advanced charging hub that can charge multiple batteries in sequence, maximising flight time between sessions. The DJI Neo uses a simpler charging setup, typically charging one battery at a time, which can be slower and less convenient for extended use.
Winner: the Flip’s longer battery life makes it more suitable for capturing complex shots and exploring larger areas.
Verdict
The DJI Flip is a clear winner(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
The DJI Flip is a clear winner
The DJI Flip is a clear winner
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/ T3)
Although both drones have their place in the broader DJI ecosystem, the Flip is admittedly a more competent drone with longer battery life, better sensors, and more versatile flying capabilities than the Neo. It costs more but is still much cheaper than most mid-range DJI drones of yesteryear.
Where does this leave the DJI Neo? Being as affordable as it is, I can’t imagine its popularity decreasing significantly due to the Flip’s presence. The dinky drone’s feature set punches above its weight, and the app ecosystem is second to none. To be able to acquire a quality DJI drone with 4K resolution for under $200 is nothing short of a miracle.
However, if you can stretch your budget a little more, I would recommend getting the Flip instead. The larger sensor produces crisper images and smoother videos, not to mention the MasterShots and slow-motion footage. It’s simply a more capable beginner drone sold for a very reasonable price.
I tried the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal and it’s the ultimate tool for creators who want cinematic resultsNext-level AI tracking and pro features make this gimbal a must-have for serious iPhone filmmakers
Next-level AI tracking and pro features make this gimbal a must-have for serious iPhone filmmakers
Nothing Phone (3) could launch in the US too, as clue appears onlineNothing gets a nod in the US, hinting a new phone launch in the near future
Nothing gets a nod in the US, hinting a new phone launch in the near future
I used the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 – here’s how they compareWhich rugged smartwatch is better?
Which rugged smartwatch is better?
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Mini 3 Pro: A worthy upgrade or more of the same?The Mini 4 Pro brings smart upgrades over the Mini 3 Pro, but are they enough to justify the upgrade? Here’s everything you need to know
The Mini 4 Pro brings smart upgrades over the Mini 3 Pro, but are they enough to justify the upgrade? Here’s everything you need to know
Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Polar Vantage V3: stat-tracking giants go toe-to-toeHow does Polar’s contender stack up against Garmin’s undisputed king of the multi-sports smartwatch?
How does Polar’s contender stack up against Garmin’s undisputed king of the multi-sports smartwatch?
