When DJI launched the original Neo last year, I was impressed by how the company managed to pack so much functionality into a drone you could literally launch from your palm. Now, DJI is back with the Neo 2, which launched today starting at about $200.

The DJI Neo 2 addresses nearly every limitation I found in my original Neo review, while keeping the same beginner-friendly approach that made the first model so appealing.

Full disclosure: Like the recently launched Mavic 4 Pro, the Neo 2 isn’t shipping directly from DJI’s website (more on that later). Thus, I haven’t gotten my hands on a review unit yet. With that in mind, this is a specs analysis based on what DJI has announced, not a full hands-on review. I’ll update with real-world testing once I can actually fly one.

DJI Neo 2 specs: what’s new

The Neo 2 maintains that ultra-compact 151g form factor that doesn’t require FAA registration for recreational use that makes the DJI Neo one of the best drones under 250 grams. But the Neo 2 now blows the original Neo away with big tech improvements, namely omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

The original Neo could be a bit nerve-wracking to fly indoors or around obstacles, but the Neo 2 now combines monocular vision sensors all around the drone with forward-facing LiDAR and downward infrared sensing. If it works as advertised, this should make a massive difference in confidence, especially for beginners.

The camera has also gotten a boost with a 12MP 1/2-inch sensor and a new 2-axis gimbal for stabilization. You’re getting 4K video at up to 100fps now, which means smooth slow-motion footage. DJI has also added vertical 2.7K video recording, which is perfect for Instagram Reels and TikTok content creators who need that portrait orientation.

Here’s a quick rundown of the most key DJI Neo 2 features:

• 151g weight (no FAA registration required)
• Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance with LiDAR
• 12MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor
• 4K video at 100fps
• 2.7K vertical video recording
• 2-axis gimbal stabilization
• 19-minute flight time
• 49GB internal storage
• Palm takeoff and landing
• Gesture control and voice control
• Compatible with DJI RC-N3 controller

No remote controller required: gesture control and voice commands

Like the original DJI Neo, you can fly the Neo 2 completely controller-free (and that’s the creators’ intent). The palm takeoff and landing feature returns, but I appreciate some new tech upgrades.

Now there’s a small onboard display that shows you which mode you’ve selected. That’s a nice quality-of-life improvement that addresses one of the usability concerns with the first generation.

Gesture control has been expanded too. You can use one or both hands to control the drone’s movement and altitude without touching anything. With a single palm facing the drone, you can control left/right movement and altitude. Using both palms, you can move your hands apart to make the drone fly away, or bring them together to make it approach. It’s an intuitive system that should make the Neo 2 even more accessible to first-time drone pilots.

DJI has also added voice control support, which means you can bark commands through your smartphone or Bluetooth headphones while you’re biking, running or doing whatever activity you want to capture. Consider this a good option for content creators who want to film themselves without stopping mid-activity to fiddle with a controller.

That’s not to say you CAN’T use a controller, if you want to. The Neo 2 is compatible with the DJI RC-N3 remote controller for up to 10km video transmission. You can also pair it with DJI’s motion controller and FPV goggles for an immersive first-person flying experience, which adds versatility beyond the basic follow-me functionality.

Improved ActiveTrack and new SelfieShot mode

The ActiveTrack feature has reportedly been significantly improved over the original Neo. The Neo 2 can supposedly track subjects moving up to 12 m/s (about 27 mph) in open areas and supports eight-direction tracking including diagonals, which should create more natural-looking follow shots. In complex environments, it can switch to rear tracking mode to keep you in focus (at least that’s the claim). I’m curious to see how well this actually performs in real-world conditions with trees, buildings and other obstacles.

One of the most interesting new features is SelfieShot mode, which automatically switches between waist-up, full-body and long shots without requiring manual camera adjustments. This is perfect for those moments when you need hands-free group photos at family gatherings, birthday parties or weekend picnics without setting up a tripod or asking someone to be the designated photographer. The drone automatically composes the scene and adjusts its position to frame everyone properly.

Intelligent Shooting Modes for content creators

The Neo 2 supports a range of intelligent shooting modes that should make it easy to create professional-looking content even if you’re a complete beginner:

QuickShots returns with six automated flight patterns: Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix and Boomerang. These pre-programmed moves are best used for capturing dynamic footage of cycling, skateboarding or any outdoor activity without needing piloting skills.

MasterShots automatically captures diverse shots with creative camera movements and intelligently edits them together with music to produce shareable videos. This is ideal for travel content creators who want polished results without spending hours in post-production.

Dolly Zoom enables that famous Hitchcock effect where the background appears to zoom while the subject stays the same size. It’s a dramatic cinematic technique that’s notoriously difficult to execute when manually flying.

These intelligent modes are where DJI really shines in making advanced cinematography accessible to everyday users. The question is whether the Neo 2’s small sensor and stabilization system can deliver smooth enough results to make these modes truly useful rather than just gimmicky.

Omnidirectional Obstacle Avoidance: the biggest upgrade yet

For me, the most significant upgrade in the DJI Neo 2 is the omnidirectional obstacle sensing. The original Neo had limited obstacle detection, which made indoor flying or navigating around trees and buildings a nerve-wracking experience. The Neo 2 addresses this with monocular vision sensors in all directions, forward-facing LiDAR and a downward infrared sensing system.

The drone also comes with a similar propeller guard design to the original Neo, which provides all-around protection of both the drone — and any objects it might crash into. Combined with the obstacle sensing, this should give beginners the confidence to fly in more challenging environments like indoors, close to buildings, or over water and snow where the original Neo struggled with positioning.

DJI claims the Neo 2 has enhanced hovering and positioning capabilities compared to the original, which should make it more stable in tricky conditions. If these systems work as promised, the Neo 2 could finally be the worry-free beginner drone that the original Neo almost was.

DJI Neo 2 battery life and storage

Battery life is listed at up to 19 minutes of flight time, which is respectable for a drone this size and weight class. That’s enough for most casual flying sessions, though serious content creators will probably want to invest in extra batteries for longer shoots. That’s where the Fly More Combo upgrade (more on that later) makes sense.

The Neo 2 includes 49GB of internal storage, which DJI says can hold up to 105 minutes of 4K/60fps footage, 175 minutes of 4K/30fps video, or 241 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. That’s plenty of onboard storage for a day of filming without worrying about running out of space.

File transfer is done via Wi-Fi at speeds up to 80 MB/s, so you’re not fumbling with cables to get your footage off the drone. You can connect directly to your smartphone through the DJI Fly app and quickly transfer files for editing and posting to social media. This wireless workflow is perfect for content creators who want to edit and share on the go.

The drone also boasts level 5 wind resistance, which should make it stable in moderately windy conditions — though I’ll need to test this myself to see how it really performs when the weather isn’t perfect.

The shipping situation (again)

Like the Mavic 4 Pro, the Neo 2 won’t be shipping directly from DJI’s website initially. You’ll need to purchase through authorized retailers such as B&H Photo or Amazon, which has become the new normal for DJI product launches lately. This also means review units have been slower to reach journalists and content creators, so expect most early coverage to be based on specs and press materials rather than actual flight testing (as mine is).

This shipping situation is frustrating for those of us who want to provide comprehensive, hands-on reviews right at launch. It also means if you’re planning to buy a Neo 2, you’ll want to check with authorized DJI retailers rather than expecting to order directly from the manufacturer’s site.

DJI Neo 2 price and availability

DJI has announced official pricing for the Neo 2 across multiple regions, with the drone-only version starting at $209 USD (Singapore pricing).

Note that the Canadian and Singapore prices listed are in USD, though these shouldn’t be considered a proxy for official U.S. pricing, since DJI isn’t selling directly in the U.S. Authorized retailers might set their own pricing, but here’s a pricing breakdown you can expect based on how much DJI is selling its drones for in other countries:

DJI Neo 2 (Drone Only):

• Japan: ¥38,390 (includes tax)
• Singapore: $209 USD
• Canada: $229 USD (tax not included)
• UK: £209 (includes tax)
• Europe: €239 (includes tax)

DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo (Drone Only): This package includes the drone plus three DJI Neo 2 Intelligent Flight Batteries and the Two-Way Charging Hub—perfect if you want extended flying time without investing in a controller yet.

• Singapore: $289 USD
• Canada: $309 USD (tax not included)
• UK: £289 (includes tax)
• Europe: €329 (includes tax)
• Japan: ¥51,700 (includes tax)

DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo: This bundle adds the DJI RC-N3 remote controller to the drone and battery package, giving you traditional control options plus extended range.

• Singapore: $359 USD
• Canada: $399 USD (tax not included)
• UK: £349 (includes tax)
• Europe: €399 (includes tax)
• Japan: ¥66,660 (includes tax)

DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo: The premium package includes the DJI RC Motion 3 controller and Goggles N3 for an immersive FPV flying experience.

• Singapore: $529 USD
• Canada: $549 USD (tax not included)
• UK: £509 (includes tax)
• Europe: €579 (includes tax)
• Japan: ¥91,740 (includes tax)

The drone should be available through authorized DJI retailers in the coming weeks, though exact availability dates haven’t been confirmed.

Who should buy the DJI Neo 2?

Based purely on specs, the Neo 2 looks like it’s designed for several key audiences:

Beginner drone pilots who want an easy entry point into aerial photography without learning complex flight controls. The palm takeoff, gesture control and obstacle avoidance make this as approachable as drones get.

Content creators and social media influencers who need quick, easy-to-capture vertical video for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The 2.7K vertical recording and automated shooting modes are clearly designed with this audience in mind.

Family documentarians who want to capture memories at gatherings, vacations and special events without designating someone as the photographer or fumbling with the awkward tripod countdown. The SelfieShot mode and automated framing should make it easy to get everyone in the shot.

Outdoor enthusiasts who want follow-me drone footage of their activities like running, cycling or hiking. The improved ActiveTrack and 12 m/s tracking speed should make this more capable than the original Neo for fast-moving sports.

Original Neo owners looking to upgrade will find the omnidirectional obstacle avoidance alone might be worth the investment.

The verdict (so far)

Based purely on specs, the DJI Neo 2 looks like a strong evolution of the original Neo. The addition of omnidirectional obstacle sensing addresses my biggest concern with the first model, and the improved tracking performance could make it genuinely useful for fast-moving activities instead of just slow walking speeds.

The camera upgrades — particularly the 4K/100fps capability and vertical video recording — show DJI is paying attention to how people actually use these drones for social media content. The new SelfieShot mode is exactly the kind of practical feature that makes a drone useful in everyday situations rather than just a toy you fly occasionally.

The pricing is competitive too. For beginners who just want to try palm-launched drone flying, the base model seems like a reasonable entry point. Serious content creators will probably want to invest in at least the Fly More Combo for extended battery life.

For content creators who need something ultra-portable that can capture social-ready vertical video, the Neo 2 seems to hit a sweet spot on paper. But specs only tell part of the story with drones — flight characteristics, real-world tracking performance, and actual image quality matter far more than what’s listed on a product page.

Once I actually get my hands on a Neo 2 and can test it in the real world — flying it indoors, tracking fast-moving subjects, testing the obstacle avoidance in wooded areas and pushing the camera in different lighting conditions — I’ll report back with a proper review. And if you have one, please share your own review in the comments!

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