Introduction
After purchasing the DJI Neo, I decided to take it to Glasgow’s Riverside Museum to put it through its paces. This location, with its stunning architecture and open spaces, provided the perfect setting to test the drone’s image quality, flight experience, and battery life. I was keen to see how well it performed compared to the other drones I fly, the DJI Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 3.
The exciting thing about this drone is that the entry price point is £169 which is one of the cheapest drones in the marketplace. It’s definitely aimed at beginners and people who want to fly a drone but don’t want to spend a lot of money. When I was writing this review it’s always important to keep the price point and user in mind. Of course it’s unfair to compare the Neo to the Mini 4 Pro at nearly £1k and the Mavic 3 at nearly £2k even though it does have some of the cool feauteres of the 'professional drones'
Design & Build Quality
The DJI Neo is only 135g including the battery which is really good. It keeps it under 250g which allows for more flexibility in terms of where you can fly it. The props have built in prop guards which is ideal. If you’re going slow enough the drone will bounce off objects rather than crashing. Obviously at 135g its not super robust however it is a surprisingly sturdy drone for the cost.
Camera Performance
Equipped with a 4K camera, the DII Neo captures decent footage. The camera features a wide-angle lens, ensuring a broad field of view, ideal for capturing landscapes and aerial perspectives. Image stabilisation is provided through electronic image stabilisation (EIS), reducing shake and improving video clarity, though not quite at the level of a true 3-axis gimbal thats in the DJI Mini 4 Pro. The colour accuracy and dynamic range are not bad for its price point, making it suitable for content creators. However, low-light performance could be improved, as images tend to exhibit noise in darker environments.
Flight Performance & Stability
I first flew the drone in very light winds and the drone was pretty stable. It has level 4 wind resistance which lets in fly in winds up to 18 mph. The image is pretty stable however when the camera was tilted down 90 degrees the image stabilisation wasn’t as good.
The DJI Neo features QuickShots, a suite of intelligent shooting modes that enable users to capture dynamic, cinematic footage effortlessly. These pre-programmed flight patterns include Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid. In Dronie mode, the drone flies backward and upward, keeping the subject in focus while revealing the background. Rocket mode propels the drone straight up with the camera pointing downward, creating a dramatic aerial shot. Circle mode allows the drone to orbit around the subject, maintaining a constant distance for a 360-degree perspective. Helix mode combines upward and circular movements, spiraling around the subject to add depth to the footage. Boomerang mode sends the drone on an elliptical path around the subject, starting and ending at the same point, while Asteroid mode captures a spherical panoramic view that transitions into a standard shot. These modes are accessible via the DJI Fly app, where users can select their desired QuickShot, and the DJI Neo will execute the corresponding flight path autonomously, ensuring professional-looking videos with minimal user input.
Battery Life & Charging
The drone provides up to 18 minutes of flight time on a single charge, which is modest but adequate for quick shooting sessions. Charging is facilitated via a USB-C port, allowing for convenient recharging between flights. For extended use, investing in additional batteries or the Fly More Combo pack is recommended.
Software & App Experience
Controlled primarily through the DJI Fly app, the Neo offers an intuitive user interface for piloting and accessing various features. The app provides real-time video feeds, flight telemetry, and camera controls. While the connection is generally stable, occasional latency may occur, especially at extended ranges. The app is beginner-friendly, making it easy to navigate through settings and flight modes. You can also use the DJI controller to unlock more functionality and if you want a more immersive flight you can connect the Neo to the new DJI Google N3. It’s definitely worth while doing your research on the drone before flying it as it does behave slightly differently to other DJI drones such as the Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 3. For example, if you are using your phone to fly the drone and you lose signal over water, the drone will just hover until its about to run out of battery and then land in the water. Not ideal.
Storage & Content Transfer
The DJI Neo does not have a microSD card slot and instead stores all footage and images internally.The drone can hold up to 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. You can transfer your content via the DJI Fly app, which allows for wireless downloads to a smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, the drone can be connected directly to a computer using a USB-C cable for faster file transfers. While the lack of expandable storage may be a limitation for some users, the seamless app integration ensures quick and easy access to captured media.
Comparison with other drones
The DII Neo competes with drones in the mid-range category, such as the DJI Mini series and the Autel Evo Lite. While it offers similar features to the DJI Mini 2, the lack of a true 3-axis gimbal and slightly shorter battery life put it at a slight disadvantage. However, its affordability and inclusion of intelligent flight modes make it a strong contender. Compared to budget drones, the DII Neo offers superior camera quality, better flight stability, and a more refined app experience. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to dip their toes into drone flying.
Conclusion
For its price, the DJI Neo delivers solid performance, a decent quality camera, and intelligent features that rival more expensive drones. It strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, making it a great option for beginners and hobbyists looking for an entry-level 4K drone. While it may lack some premium features like a fully mechanical gimbal or extended flight time, its overall performance and feature set make it a worthwhile investment. If you're looking for a budget-friendly drone with impressive capabilities, the DJI Neo might be the one for you.
You can buy the DJI Neo here
This is the first time I have tested and reviewed a drone so it would be great to get your feedback. Let me know what you think in the comments below
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