DJI Flip vs. Neo: which of these beginner drones is better?

DJI, known for its innovation in consumer and professional drones, launched the DJI Flip in January 2025. It’s aimed at vloggers, beginners and travelers — but so is another recently-launched drone from DJI: the DJI Neo. So in a battle versus the DJI Flip vs. Neo, which should you go for?

The DJI Flip is DJI’s newest drone, but the DJI Neo isn’t exactly old either, having launched just a few months prior in October 2024. The DJI Flip is more than double the price of the DJI Neo, but neither is expensive as far as drones go. The Flip starts at just $439, whereas the Neo comes in under $200.

Given that both are some of the best beginner drones you can buy, how do you choose? Both drones are great for kids, and are designed for accessibility and simplicity. So, which one should you go for?

The DJI Neo (top) versus DJI Flip. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

Here’s a detailed comparison between the DJI Flip vs. Neo to help you decide which drone is the right fit for you.

DJI Flip in a nutshell

Sally French, The Drone Girl, reviews the DJI Flip with the DJI RC 2. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

Starting at $439, the DJI Flip is a compact, vlog-focused drone weighing under 249 grams. It features foldable, full-coverage propeller guards for safety, a powerful 48MP camera and AI-powered shooting modes optimized for social media.

Read my full DJI Flip review.

DJI Neo in a nutshell

The DJI Neo drone. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

At less than $200, Neo is an entry-level drone for beginners. It features a 12MP camera, basic intelligent flight modes, plus a lightweight, portable design. It’s built for simplicity and affordability but lacks some advanced features. And though you can control it with a standard controller, it’s not really meant to be flown that way. This is designed as a hand-launch drone.

Read my full DJI Neo review.

DJI Neo vs. Flip: side-by-side

Here are some key features on both drones, compared:

Feature DJI Flip DJI Neo
Weight <249g (travel-friendly, no registration needed in most countries) 135 grams
Camera Sensor 1/1.3-inch CMOS, 48MP 1/2-inch CMOS, 12MP
Video Resolution 4K/60fps HDR, 4K/100fps slow motion 4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps
Effective pixels 48 MP 12 MP
Safety Features Foldable full-coverage propeller guards, automatic braking Basic propeller guards
Max Takeoff Altitude 3000 m 2000 m
Max Wind Speed Resistance 10.7 m/s (Level 5) 8 m/s (Level 4)
Obstacle sensing Downward: one visual sensor and an infrared sensor
Forward: 3D Infrared Sensing System
Downward
Flight Time 31 minutes 18 minutes
Control Options Remote, smartphone, voice control Remote (extra cost), smartphone
Price $439 (base)
$639 (with DJI RC 2)
$199

And here’s those specs in a more detailed review:

Camera and video quality

  • DJI Flip: The 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor offers the same quality as the Mini 4 Pro. You’re looking at 48MP photos and 4K HDR video, plus slow-motion recording at 4K/100fps. There’s also a vertical shooting mode, perfect for vloggers and content creators putting their content on vertical sites like Instagram or TikTok.
  • DJI Neo: With a smaller 1/2-inch sensor and 12MP resolution, the Neo is designed for casual photography. 12MP is still good, especially if your goals are posting on Instagram rather than making big prints. As far as video goes, its 4K video is impressive.

Winner: DJI Flip – Superior photo and video capabilities.

Safety and usability

  • DJI Flip: This foldable drone has a unique design with full-coverage propeller guards and automatic braking, make it one of the safest drones for beginners. Its lightweight design also avoids registration requirements in many regions, including in the U.S.
  • DJI Neo: As a departure from most of DJI’s drones, this one has propeller guards (though not fully enclosed, like the Flip.

Winner: DJI Flip – Fully enclosed propellers add to safety.

Flight performance

  • DJI Flip: This drone offers up to 31 minutes of flight time, with improved transmission (13km) and anti-interference capabilities. The DJI O4 video transmission delivers clear 1080p/60fps video. It still won’t be as powerful as other drones like the Air 3S in tricky flying situations, like high winds. But, it’s more powerful than the Neo.
  • DJI Neo: This drone offers just 18 minutes of flight time. Consider it a fun party trick or a tool for quick flights, but that flight time can feel limiting.

Winner: DJI Flip – Longer flight times and better video transmission.

Portability

When folded, the DJI Flip (right) is nearly identical in size to the DJI Neo, which launched in late 2024. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

Both drones weigh under 249g and are compact, making them excellent travel companions.

  • DJI Flip: The Flip is much larger than Neo in flying form, but its unique folding design makes it so it actually packs up to be roughly the same size as the Neo.
  • DJI Neo: The Neo isn’t actually foldable, but that’s because it’s already so small. It could fit into a larger jacket pocket. Since it’s designed to fly as a hand-launch drone, which means no controller, you don’t even need to leave room in your suitcase or backpack for an RC transmitter.

Winner: Neo (but that’s only assuming you don’t need the RC transmitter, otherwise it’s a tie)

Price

Obvious the Neo wins out at $199 versus $439 as a starting price for the Flip. Just know what you’re really getting (and what you might end up paying more for).

The DJI Neo starts at $199 and it doesn’t include an RC, which means you’ll be flying hand-launch style and either having it track you or controlling it from your smartphone. Add on the RC and you’ll owe $289.

The Flip starts at $439, which includes a remote controller. Still, it’s $150 more than the Neo, but the price difference might not feel as stark if you think you’ll end up buying the Neo controller anyway.

DJI Flip vs. Neo: how to choose

The DJI Neo (left) versus DJI Flip. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

On the surface, they both have a lot in common — great beginner drones and great drones for kids — the DJI Flip and DJI Neo actually cater to some pretty distinct needs.

The DJI Flip is perfect for creators and travelers who want advanced camera capabilities, such as 48MP photos, 4K/60fps HDR video, and intelligent shooting modes like ActiveTrack 4.0. Its safety features, including foldable propeller guards and automatic braking, make it beginner-friendly and great for families.

The DJI Neo is designed for budget-conscious beginners or casual users looking for a simple and reliable drone. While it offers basic features and solid performance, its 12MP camera and 2.7K video resolution fall short of the Flip’s imaging quality.

Choose the Flip if you’re seeking creativity and versatility. Choose the Neo if simplicity and affordability are your priorities.

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