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Can the new content creator-friendly DJI Flip surpass the budget king DJI Neo from 2024?

DJI Flip (left), DJI Neo (right), not to scale (Image credit: DJI)

DJI Flip

A drone like we’ve never seen before, with unique folding propellor design and decent 4K video capabilities, but it’s quite a leap in price from the Neo.

For

• Multi-use functionality
• Several flight-control options
• Sub-250g folding design

Against

• Image quality is good but not great
• Not as agile as the Mini 4 Pro
• Not great in wind

DJI Neo

DJI’s cheapest 4K drone can be flown safely multiple ways thanks to propellor guards; for selfies, FPV, but it’s tiny and has limited camera performance.

For

• Small and lightweight
• Easy to use
• Multiple flight control options

Against

• Only shoots photos in JPEG
• 4K video fixed at 30fps
• Expensive to add on goggles and FPV controller

TheDJI Fliparrives just a few months after the 2024DJI Neoto provide yet another option for folks out to buytheir first drone. We’re here to work out if the Flip is a better buy. It’s more expensive, but also a lot more capable. So should you spend the extra?

DJI’s Flip drone roughly combines the ease of use of the Neo with the superior camera and flight skills of theDJI Mini 4K. And there are some other bonuses to boot.

There is one mode the DJI Neo has that the Flip lacks, though — FPV, where you use a motion controller and a headset to fly in a more acrobatic style.

As such, the DJI Flip is clearly a better content creator drone, but the DJI Neo provides a taste of all flavors of the drone hobby.

We’re going to dig a little deeper into all areas in which the DJI Neo and DJI Flip excel, to work out which is the better buy for you.

We’d also be remiss not to mention theHoverAir X1 Pro, another excellent tiny drone with propellor guards for closeup flight and auto-tracking features.

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The DJI Flip is a pricier package – here’s a photo of it taken during our in-depth review.

1. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Price and Availability

• DJI Flip with DJI RC-N3 controller: $439 
• DJI Neo: starts at $199, increases in price if you want controller

The DJI Neo is roughly four months older than the DJI Flip. It was announced in September 2024, compared to January 2025 for the Flip.

DJI’s Neo is substantially cheaper, but it’s not quite as simple as it may appear at first.

There’s also a Neo FPV-friendly combo for £449, which adds the Goggles N3 headset and RC Motion 3 controller.

You have a couple more options when buying the DJI Flip. There’s a bundle with the RC 2 controller (with baked in screen) for $639. Or the classic Fly More combo with that RC 2 controller, two additional batteries, charger and bag for $779.

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The DJI Flip and DJI Neo to scale – as you can see the Neo (top) is much smaller, although the Flip propellors can fold away when not in use.(Image credit: DJI)

2. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Design

• DJI Flip: 249g, folding propellors, 2GB internal storage plus micro SD
• DJI Neo: 135g, tiny 130×157×48.5 mm, 22GB internal storage only

The DJI Flip is much larger than the DJI Neo, but not in a way that will significantly hinder how you can use it. A DJI Flip measures 233×280×79 mm, but when the propellors are folded back down for storage it’s just 136×165x62mm. That’s fairly close to the 130×157×48.5 mm of the Neo. It doesn’t fold, and doesn’t really need to at that size.

The Neo is a lot lighter too, at 135g. But as the DJI Flip just scoots in at under the 249g limit for unregistered drones, it’s not much of a practical concern. And that includes the blade guards typically left off of weight calculations in these mini-size drones.

You will need to bring your own microSD card for the Flip, though. It has just 2GB internal storage — basically an emergency solution should you forget your card.

The DJI Neo has 22GB onboard storage, but there’s no way to expand upon that. It’s less restrictive than it might sound given the short battery life of the drone, but does mean you’ll need to clear out space regularly.

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The DJI Neo can be used a selfie drone and for mega fun and immersive FPV flight. 

3. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Flight Modes

• DJI Flip: active person-tracking, intelligent flight moves, better wind resistance and speed
• DJI Neo: active person-tracking, intelligent flight moves, FPV flight

DJI made the Flip and Neo to cater for the kind of person who wants a drone to act like a virtual camera person. They can both lift off from your hand, and support an active person-tracking mode that follows you around.

This is perfect forYouTubeB-roll, an affordable way to give your videos a very expensive look. Both drones support the following “intelligent modes,” which program the movements relative to your subject: Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix and Boomerang.

You can also control these drones manually, although in the US at least DJI makes it a little trickier to get a good deal for a Neo bundle that includes a controller.

This is more a sign the DJI Neo is a truebeginner’s drone, where the DJI Flip is a more focused tool for content creators. For example, it has better wind resistance than the Neo, rated at 10.7m/s versus 8m/s speeds.

The Flip is not ideal on this front thanks to its drag-increasing blade guards, but is nevertheless an upgrade. It’s also an all-round more powerful drone than the Neo.

It can reach ascent and descent speeds of 5 m/s in its tracking modes, compared to 2m/s with the Neo. And when flying horizontally it can maintain speeds of up to 12m/s (26mph), compared to 8m/s (17mph) in the Neo.

The Neo can actually get to a speedy 16m/s, but only if you use manual FPV control. This is where the DJI Neo gets a major upper hand on the Flip. Pair it with the Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 controller (or FPV Remote Controller 3) and you have a recipe for about as much fun as you can have with a smaller drone. As long as it’s not too windy — a tiny drone like the Neo can’t compete with too much wind.

You can fly freely, perform tricks and acrobatics. Tooled up like this, the DJI Neo is much like a smallerAvata 2, and makes the DJI Flip seem staid and boring in comparison. It’s made to stay horizontal consistently, and move in a much more measured way.

However, you can use the Flip in a slightly wider array of environments, thanks to its improved sensor array.

The DJI Flip has front and downward sensors, the Neo instead relies on its camera.(Image credit: DJI)

4. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Sensors and battery life

• DJI Flip: front and downward sensors, up to 28 minutes flight time
• DJI Neo: No sensors, up to 18 minutes flight time

The DJI Neo’s flight sensor array is as simple as they come. It uses its camera to look out for obstacles, and that’s it.

A Flip has both its camera and infrared sensors for both forward motion and underneath the drone. This makes it far better-suited for flying at night.

DJI says you shouldnotuse the Neo for night flying — and owners have had mixed success with their attempts. The key is basically to lift off somewhere with enough light for the sensor system to navigate, and not hang about too long in the dark to avoid the sensor system getting hopelessly lost. But the DJI Flip is rated for navigation in light conditions down to 15 lux, matching theDJI Mini 4 Pro.

Neither drone is meant to be used over water — a natural enemy for the non-water-resistant drone — but the DJI Flip is going to fare better thanks to its improved sensor array. Don’t get cocky, though, as these sensors do not too well with reflective surfaces, and the Flip manual states “DO NOT fly over water.” You’ve been warned.

The larger size of the DJI Flip allows for a much larger battery, 3,110mAh versus 1,435 mAh, and despite the Neo’s lower weight the Flip still provides much better flight time. It can fly for up to 31 minutes (28 min hovering) while the Neo is only rated for 18 minutes.

Having multiple batteries is going to be even more important with the DJI Neo. And it’s not made for more ambitious shoots anyway. It has a shorter transmission range of up to 7km, versus 13km. Not that it’s likely, or sensible, these limits will realistically be tested in normal use — and transmission range for the video preview naturally far shorter.

What’s more important is they both support the same O4 transmission system when using a controller, allowing for a video feed of up to 1080p/60. This matches the more expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro.

The Flip has a superior gimbal-mounted camera unit to the fixe camera of the Neo.(Image credit: DJI)

5. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Camera

• DJI Flip: 3-axis gimbal camera, 1/1.3-inch 48-megapixel sensor, 4K 60p video, plus 100fps slow-mo
• DJI Neo: No gimbal, 1/2-inch 12-megapixel sensor, 4K 30p video

The DJI Flip has a clearly superior camera to the DJI Neo, on a few fronts.

First up, it has a 3-axis gimbal system capable of providing proper physical stabilization, where the Neo relies on electronic stabilization (EIS). Not only is the gimbal approach less likely to cause image distortions, it means the Flip doesn’t have to eat into its usable sensor area for stabilization – EIS crops into the sensor to leave a motion compensation buffer on the outside, shrinking the amount of sensor actively used in the final footage.

The DJI Flip has a larger and much higher camera sensor too, a 1/1.3-inch 48-megapixel sensor. The Neo has a 1/2-inch 12-megapixel one. Both cameras can record at up to4Kresolution, but the DJI Flip’s image quality is better, and its frame rate options far superior. It can record at up to 60fps withHDR, and there’s a 100fps slo-mo 4K mode.

The Neo is limited to 4K at 30 frames per second, and can only reach 60fps at Full HD. It’s not nearly as serious a video shooter at the Flip, which also has a D-Log flat profile for better color grading flexibility, and much higher maximum video bitrate. The Neo taps out at 75Mbps, the Flip at 150Mbps. But then again you wouldn’t want to have to deal with too high a bit-rate in the Neo when your storage is limited to 22GB.

Both cameras can shoot vertical video, despite the lack of a camera gimbal that can physically move the sensor by 90-degrees. They simply have the pixels to spare. The DJI Neo can hack 1080p at Full HD vertical (60fps). The DJI Flip can shoot at up to 2.7k, although the frame rate is limited to max 30fps.

Early Verdict

(Image credit: DJI)

The DJI Flip easily beats the DJI Neo for content creators. It has a much higher-quality camera, videographer-friendly shooting modes and microSD support so you don’t keep having to flush the internal memory.

DJI’s Neo shines for folks who don’t want to spend much at all, and will be happy with controlling it via phone app rather than a dedicated controller. A proper controller is an option, but the base Neo kit doesn’t include one. Cost is key with a Neo.

There’s one part of the Neo that shouldn’t be ignored, though: FPV. It can become an acrobatic drone in a manner the Flip just can’t. It’s mounds of fun, although that FPV package costs more than double the cost of the Neo alone.

The DJI Flip is an innovative beginner drone with vlogging, selfie and camera drone functionality making it similar to the DJI Neo but more advanced.

Space Verdict
The DJI Flip is a sub-250 g beginner drone that’s incredibly easy to use with capabilities that allow it to be flown autonomously and as a camera drone. The image quality is good, but not exceptional.

Pros

• +Dual drone functionality
• +Sub-250g folding design
• +Competitively priced

Cons

• -Not great in windy conditions
• -Image quality could be better
• -Bulky when folded considering low weight

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Key Specs

Weight:8.78 oz/249 g

Dimensions:5.35×2.44×6.5 inches/136x62x165 mm folded, 9.17x11x3.11 inches/233x280x79 mm unfolded

Battery:3110 mAh / up to 31 minutes flight time

Charger type:USB-C cable / battery charging hub

Modes:Cine, Normal, Sport

Video transmission range:8 miles / 13km (FCC), 5 miles / 8km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

Video resolution:Up to 4K

Frame rates:4K up to 60 FPS, FHD up to 100 FPS, up to 2.7k vertical up to 30 FPS

Since the launch of theDJI Neo, which is extremely similar to the HoverAir X1 Pro and its still available predecessor, theHoverAir X1, the world’s leading drone manufacturer has begun to take beginner drones in a new direction. The DJI Flip is the latest beginner model to hit the shelves, and this vlogging drone delivers intelligent flight modes alongside camera drone functionality.

With this level of versatility alongside an attractive base kit price of $439, the Flip will likely appeal to beginner and enthusiast drone pilots. This is a drone that will undoubtedly take a place among thebest beginner dronesconsidering all this alongside the unique folding design of the Flip, where safety is paramount.

Moving back to the design, which is one of the most eye-catching aspects of the Flip, there’s no way you’ll have seen a drone like this before. The four propellers are encased in lightweight propeller guards for safer flights when tracking you. These fold down below the airframe and when folded out, make the Flip a much larger drone, but within the regulator-friendly sub-250g category.

The Flip can be flown independently without an app or controller, with the DJI Fly app or one of two controllers that are available in the kits. Intelligent flight modes allow for precise subject tracking while the camera can capture up to 4K 60 FPS video, 4K 100 FPS slow motion video and up to 2.7K 30 FPS vertical video in both Normal and D-Log M color profiles. Plus, photos can be captured in JPEG and Raw formats.

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DJI Flip Review: Design

The DJI Flip drone, small in size and white in color, folded up with the propeller sitting underneath the body, on a stoney background.

• Folding design
• Propeller guards
• Multiple controller options

Most drones these days feature a folding design, and the DJI Flip is no exception here despite its unique design. This sub-250g drone features propeller guards made of polycarbonate around the edges with lightweight carbon fiber string on the top and bottom; these fold up from below the airframe to create a drone that’s much larger than other models within the sub-250g category.

Folded, the Flip is 5.35×2.44×6.5 inches/136x62x165 mm which increases to 9.17x11x3.11 inches/233x280x79 mm when unfolded. It’s a strange-looking drone in both states, but its design is functional and makes sense for a drone that can be used autonomously for vlogging and taking selfies, and also works as a fully functioning camera drone.

A shot from above of trees covering the centre and left of the photo, with water also featuring on the left and car parks to the right of the picture.

The Flip’s airframe is taller than other sub-250g drones and is also a different shape, but this incorporates the 3D infrared sensor at the front of the drone above the gimbal. The black panel at the front of the drone also displays the currently active intelligent flight mode, which is great when using the drone app-free; with the mode button on the side of the drone allowing you to select the desired mode.

The drone can also be controlled with the DJI Fly app, including manually, and using voice control which is convenient and allows flight parameters to be adjusted. For camera drone use, the Flip can also be flown using the DJI RC-N3 controller or the DJI RC 2 smart controller. Which controller depends on the kit you choose. For the review, the DJI RC 2 was supplied and this is a fantastic controller featuring a bright and clear built-in 5.5-inch display.

This number of control options is fantastic for a beginner model because it allows users to select the control method that’s most suitable for the current flight. Traditional controllers are naturally the best option for flying manually, as a camera drone, but for vlogging and selfie functionality, app-free or control with the DJI Fly app are perfect.

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DJI Flip Review: Functionality

A drone is sitting on a stoney floor, we’re looking at it from front on. A black camera is front and centre while four white propellers sit to the side of the white body. 

• AI subject tracking
• 2GB of internal storage
• Wind resistance isn’t great

As previously mentioned, one of the standout features of the Flip is that it’s a vlogging drone and a camera drone aimed at beginners. This means it has excellent intelligent flight modes for subject tracking alongside the ability for audio to be captured via the DJI Fly app when enabled, so you can record your voice while capturing video, or with the DJI Mic connected to your smartphone; propeller noise is filtered out/reduced in both situations.

The Flip’s Intelligent flight modes include Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight and Helix where AI subject tracking aims to keep the subject in the centre of the frame during photo and video capture. This works exceptionally well with ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0 all playing a part in its success as a feature.

Within the DJI Fly app, there’s also Manual Control which allows you to fly the Flip using on-screen controls and although limited in terms of flight distance and control, it’s a useful to have feature but is still no match for a traditional controller. The physical controllers provide the best manual flight experience possible and also allow pilots to access Quickshots, which include Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang.

Some wind turbines in open green fields with blue skies in the centre and right of the photo with gray clouds to the left.

With GPS positioning, the Flip can effectively hold position and this alongside the 3D Infrared Sensing System provides safe and effective Return to Home functionality in even complex environments. The return path is shown on the controller screen and DJI claims that this feature also makes lowlight and night flights safer. The sensing system also acts as forward-facing collision avoidance with a brake option available to stop the Flip when an obstacle is detected.

In terms of camera drone flight performance, the Flip flies well overall and its ability to be flown autonomously and as a camera drone makes it highly versatile. The drone can fly at speeds up to 27mph in Sport mode with Normal and Cine also available for slower and smoother flight. But it’s not the fastest drone, and it’s not the best performer in windier conditions with a noticeable reduction in flight speed. This could be a result of the shape of the propellers alongside the propeller guards themselves.

Other features include Hyperlapse with Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint options that can capture hyperlapse videos at up to 4K horizontally or 2.7K vertically. The charging hub also features fast charging where two batteries can be charged simultaneously while the hub can accommodate four batteries in total rather than the three most DJI hubs can accept at once.

Data transfers of up to 30MB/S to the DJI Fly app allow users to easily move photos and videos captured with the Flip to their phone. The Flip can also be plugged into a computer via USB-C to transfer data from the 2GB internal storage and/or the installed microSD card without switching the drone on. 2GB of onboard storage is next to nothing these days, especially when capturing 4K video, so a microSD card is essential.

DJI Flip review: Performance

A white battery charging hub on a multi-dark coloured stone background

• 12MP/48MP 1/1.3-inch sensor
• Up to 4K 60 FPS video
• Raw photos and D-Log M video are available

The Flip features a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for smooth footage, but this unfortunately doesn’t rotate between landscape and portrait format like the DJI Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro models. This isn’t a major issue since the Flip can capture cropped vertical video which is ideal for social media, but it would be a welcome feature if available.

The camera features a 12MP/48MP 1/1.3-inch Quad Bayer 4-in-1 sensor with large pixels and Dual Native ISO Integration. The lens offers a 24mm equivalent focal length with an f/1.7 aperture and focus that ranges from one meter to infinity. There’s also a digital zoom for photos and videos that’s either 3x or 4x depending on the shooting mode and capture resolution selected.

Image quality is good but not amazing by any stretch; it’s fair to say that it sits firmly in the realms of beginner quality. That’s not to say you can’t capture high-quality imagery, it’s just not at the same level as the DJI Mini 4 Pro with the same size sensor, for example. To be fair, the price difference between the two drones naturally suggests that the Mini 4 Pro is the more advanced model.

Photos and videos exhibit a degree of muddiness, which may be a result of HDR if it’s applied to all photos and videos as the marketing materials vaguely suggest. Otherwise, as is the norm for consumer drones, photos and videos are sharpest in the centre of the frame with some fall off towards the edges.

Video can be captured in 4K at up to 60fps, 4K at 100fps in Slow Motion mode, 1080p up to 100fps and vertical video can be captured in 1080p and 2.7k at 30fps. Video can be captured in the Normal color profile for straight out-of-camera footage, which is ideal for beginners and quick turnarounds; while advanced users can capture in the 10-bit D-Log M flat profile with a 150Mbps bitrate for greater dynamic range and the ability to color grade footage. Photos can be captured in JPEG and Raw formats, so there are plenty of options to suit most pilots.

DJI Flip Review: Cost

A white drone with four propellers sits on a stoney floor as we look down on it from a bird’s eye view.

The DJI Flip is available in three kit options where the controllers available are the main deciding factor. The DJI Flip kit includes the drone, DJI RC-N3 controller, one battery, a pair of spare propellers and other basic accessories for $439. The DJI Flip (DJI RC 2) kit, which is identical apart from the controller, costs $639.

The DJI RC 2 Fly More Combo is the only Fly More Combo available but is well-priced compared to the base kit when you consider the additional accessories and the benefits of the smart controller. This kit includes all of the above alongside two additional batteries, a four-battery charging hub, a shoulder bag and two additional pairs of spare propellers for $779.

Should you buy the DJI Flip?

A close up of a propeller with a white rim and black spokes and blades on a stoney background.

The DJI Flip is certainly an interesting drone that sets a new direction for beginner models thanks to its versatility. On the one hand, you have the vlogging/selfie drone element, thanks to the intelligent flight modes for autonomous flight and subject tracking, alongside the ability to capture audio through the DJI Fly app. On the other, you have the camera drone functionality that further extends the usefulness of the drone.

These aspects of the Flip, as well as its relatively low cost, make it a great option for beginners and it is marketed as a beginner drone after all. But with this, the image quality produced isn’t as good as the DJI Mini 3 or DJI Mini 4 Pro. So, if you’d prefer the best image quality possible with a sub-250g drone, one of these models will be more suitable.

If this product isn’t for you

a gray remote control with two knobs on both top corners displays an orange screen that takes up most of the space.

TheDJI Neois a selfie drone with the same intelligent flight modes as the DJI Flip, as well as multiple flight control options. Photo and video capture isn’t as good as the Flip, but the Neo is still a great beginner drone at a reasonable price.

TheDJI Mini 4 Prois the best sub-250g camera drone available and produces superior image quality for photos and videos. It also features advanced subject tracking so it can be safely flown as close to people as the Flip, making it a great drone for subject tracking if this is important to you.

The DJI Flip FPV may look like an FPV drone but it isn’t one, so if you’d like to be able to capture immersive FPV video theDJI Avata 2is perfect. What’s more, the DJI RC Motion 3 makes the Avata incredibly easy and intuitive for beginners, while advanced pilots have other control options.