In the consumer drone market, DJI Innovations is not a monopoly, but it is close to being one. However, its dominant position has not hindered DJI from entering more markets. On September 5th, DJI launched its new drone, the DJI NEO, which supports flying and filming without a remote control. It can also be controlled through various methods such as using the DJI Fly app on your phone, a remote control, a joystick, flying glasses, and more. It can even understand voice commands and take off and land in the palm of your hand, making it a lightweight drone that satisfies both normal aerial photography and selfies.

Compact yet Powerful

The DJI NEO weighs just 135g, lighter than most mainstream smartphones and only 6g heavier than the iPhone 6 released a decade ago. It measures 130*157*48.5mm. The photo below compares the drone to a 300ml bottled cola, giving a clear sense of its size. Perhaps due to structural strength and flight stability considerations, the DJI NEO does not employ a foldable design.

To ensure safe take-off and landing in the palm of your hand, all four propellers of the DJI NEO are enclosed within removable protective covers. This not only reduces the risk of damage to the propellers during collisions but also prevents injury from the high-speed rotating blades, unless you deliberately put your fingers near them. Additionally, the drone is equipped with a downward-facing sensor to assist with automatic landing. However, due to the lack of sensors in other directions, it is recommended to fly the drone within visual range.

In terms of flight performance, the DJI NEO supports Smooth, Normal, and Sport modes. In Sport mode, the maximum ascent speed, descent speed, and horizontal flight speed are 3m/s, 2m/s, and 16m/s, respectively. It can take off at an altitude of up to 2000 meters under windless conditions. The maximum flight time is 17 minutes (extendable to 18 minutes without the propeller guards), with a maximum range of 7km and resistance to winds up to Level 4 (8m/s). It supports the O4 transmission solution.

Regarding the camera, the DJI NEO utilizes a 1/2-inch sensor capable of capturing 12MP photos and up to 4K/30P or 1080P/60P videos (with electronic image stabilization enabled). The sensor's sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. Notably, the camera is mounted on a single-axis gimbal, allowing only for tilt adjustments. To change other shooting angles, the drone must be maneuvered.

Interestingly, the DJI NEO is equipped with an ultra-wide-angle lens equivalent to a 13mm full-frame field of view, similar to the ultra-wide-angle lens on the iPhone 15, with an aperture of F2.8. Compared to wide-angle lenses, it enables selfies from closer distances.

Additionally, the drone comes with 22GB of internal storage (usable space, not total). The maximum video bitrate is 75Mbps, allowing for approximately 37 minutes of 4K/30P footage. However, microSD expansion is not supported, so videos must be backed up to a phone during outdoor shoots. This poses a challenge, as phone storage can be expensive, especially for iPhones, where the price difference for 128GB of storage could buy a 1TB V30-compliant microSD card. Using expensive phone storage for drone footage is not cost-effective.

Currently, the DJI NEO is available in two versions: a standalone version with a single battery suitable for light selfie users, and the DJI NEO Fly More Combo, which includes the drone, three batteries, the DJI RC-N3 remote control, and a charging hub, ideal for aerial photography enthusiasts. The charging hub has three slots and supports up to 60W (20V*3A) charging, enabling simultaneous charging of all three batteries in just one hour (at maximum 60W charging power). The drone also features a USB-C port for charging or data transfer. However, the remote control deserves criticism; for the compact DJI NEO, the DJI RC-N3 feels unwieldy.

DJI NEO Fly More Combo

Effortless Selfies

From the above specifications, it's clear that the DJI NEO is an even more lightweight drone than the DJI MINI series, with a stronger emphasis on close-range selfies. To lower the learning curve, DJI has integrated a comprehensive control system into its DJI Flying app, even supporting voice control.

When paired with a phone, the DJI NEO connects via Wi-Fi. Considering that the wireless strength of phones is inferior to dedicated controllers, the transmission range is limited to 30 meters. Instead of launching from a surface, the drone is placed in the palm of the user's hand, with the camera aimed at them. Pressing and holding the button on the drone's nose initiates takeoff, allowing the drone to recognize the user before flying, facilitating subsequent tracking actions.

The takeoff button on the drone's nose, accompanied by battery and mode indicators

After takeoff, users can compose shots and issue commands to the drone through the DJI Flying app. To simplify operations, the app offers six one-tap QuickShot modes: Follow, Dolly Zoom, Orbit, Rocket, Dronie, and Helix. Activating any of these modes prompts the drone to autonomously execute related flight maneuvers based on the locked subject before takeoff. Voice control is also supported, further lowering the barrier to entry. If the user is dissatisfied with the footage, they can interrupt the recording and start again. Below are demonstrations of the Follow and Orbit QuickShot modes.

Follow Mode: Drone Footage

Follow Mode: Drone Flight State

Orbit Mode: Drone Footage

Orbit Mode: Drone Flight State

While autonomous modes may not meet all user needs, the DJI Flying app also features simulated dual joysticks. The left joystick controls ascent, descent, left rotation, and right rotation, while the right joystick manages forward, backward, left, and right movements, similar to a dedicated remote control but lacking tactile feedback. However, it addresses the fundamental need for control. An added benefit of phone-controlled drones is the ability to record audio through the phone's microphone, integrating sound into drone footage. Given the significant noise from the drone's propellers, the drone itself does not offer recording capabilities. Pairing with a phone solves this issue for DJI.

DJI Flying App Control Interface

Simulated Joysticks

For users seeking both drone selfies and traditional aerial photography, the DJI NEO Fly More Combo is an excellent choice. It includes the classic DJI RC-N3 remote control, which connects and controls the drone similarly to DJI MINI drones, making it easy for existing users to get started. For even more advanced control, users can opt for the DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 and DJI FPV Goggles 3 for immersive control, though this may be overkill for this lightweight drone.

Conclusion

It's evident that the DJI NEO is shaking up the drone selfie market. Leveraging DJI's extensive technical expertise, the NEO boasts robust performance and comprehensive features, including 4K/30P recording, palm takeoff, voice control, and one-tap QuickShot modes. Paired with a remote control, it can also perform traditional aerial photography, satisfying both selfie and entry-level aerial photography needs. An excellent all-around mini drone, it would be even better with expandable storage and vertical shooting modes.