The Neo is the most affordable DJI drone, a palm-launched model capable of autonomous flight for close-range vlogging and an introduction to FPV flying
Several rumors suggest that a new version, the Neo 2, will be released before the end of 2025, following FCC certification in July 2025
This is unusual, as the Neo was released in September 2024, just over a year ago, whereas the interval between new DJI versions is generally around two years
I will show the possible differences between the two models, suggesting a repositioning as the new entry model for videography and photography
Limitations of the Original Neo
The original Neo is an unusual product in the DJI line, featuring a cinewhoop design with fully covered propellers, capable of flying autonomously, or controlled by a smartphone, a remote controller, or the RC Motion 3, normally used for FPV models. A sort of Jack of all trades
The basic offer is extremely affordable, at 200 euros, but it doesn’t offer any controller; it is therefore limited to a few palm-launched maneuvers for close-range selfies and basic vlogging. The propeller protection makes flying indoors or close to the ground very safe
When using a smartphone, there are major restrictions: it is not easy to achieve smooth maneuvers without dedicated control sticks and wheels, the transmission is WIFI only with a very short range and frequent signal loss, and, more importantly, there is no Return to Home
In case of signal loss, the drone will hover in place until the batteries are depleted, which is extremely dangerous when flying at a high altitude, especially over water
For videography, the best option is to get the Fly More combo, which includes the RC N3 controller and two extra batteries. The price is still competitive at about 350 euros
Even with the Fly More Combo, there are some important issues for videography. Most users complain about the video quality, which is not up to the task, even for social media purposes
The sensor size is ½”, very small compared to the competition, with a narrow aperture of f2.8. The Neo is unable to collect enough light, and the footage taken in low light is very noisy and grainy
Even in easier light conditions, the footage is over sharpened and looks plasticky. In terms of video and photo quality, it is not even remotely comparable to the model above, the Flip
Unlike more expensive DJI models, the camera cannot rotate vertically. Portrait photos and videos must be cropped from the full frame, limiting the final resolution to 1080p, a significant drawback for a device aimed at social media creators
The Neo weighs only 135 grams and has bulky propeller guards. It is not surprising that the announced wind resistance is limited to 8m/s, corresponding to level 4. Unlike the other DJI models, the Neo has a single-axis gimbal, and on many occasions, the footage looks shaky, even in relatively low winds
The announced maximum flight time is 18 minutes, but in real life between 10 and 15 minutes, which is less than any other DJI model. This is another reason for purchasing the Fly More combo with two extra batteries
Another issue causing a lot of complaints is the high noise level, particularly annoying for a model suited for indoor and close-range filming
DJI Lightweight Line
DJI’s line below 250 grams includes the newly launched flagship model, the Mini 5 Pro, for professional users, followed by the Flip, which offers excellent quality and features for videography and photography
As the entry model, DJI still offers the Mini 4k, which is a rebranded version of the Mini 2, launched in November 2020, five years ago, a geological era in terms of drone technology. This drone has had an honorable career, but it is no longer up to today’s standards and is ready for a well-deserved retirement
It makes sense to replace the Mini 4k with a model similar to the Flip in terms of video and photo quality, offered at a more affordable price, with a few functionalities missing
DJI has probably decided to put on the market a second iteration of the Neo earlier than usual to fix some flaws in the first version and to reposition it as the new entry model for videography and photography
Neo 2 Features
We already have solid news about some of the new features of the Neo 2 coming from photos, FCC filings, and articles from reliable leakers
This new model takes aerial videography and photography very seriously. It will apparently be equipped with a 1/1.3” CMOS sensor with a video resolution of 4k up to 30 fps,13.5 stops of dynamic range, support for true HDR, and a second 10-bit color profile, D-Log M
Very serious specs, practically the same as the Flip. It seems likely that the camera will be the same as the more expensive Avata 2, which makes sense from the point of view of manufacturing costs
A new 1606mAh battery, 12% larger than the previous one, should extend the flight time to over 20 minutes, another crucial upgrade. A slot for a memory card will very likely be added to the new model, something surprisingly missing on the original Neo
There are also rumors of an improvement in the signal transmission to a level similar to the Flip. This will be apparently achieved by an add-on module to be applied when using a remote controller
From one of the leaked images, we notice obstacle sensors at the front and on the top of the aircraft for a possible omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system
A Rocksteady stabilization feature should address the issue of shaky footage. Some of the leaked images show double-layered propeller guards for extra safety
Assuming that the selling price will remain close to the original Neo, the Neo 2 could be a very appealing entry model with serious capabilities for aerial photography and videography, capable of autonomous flying for close-distance vlogging, with some FPV functionalities