DJI Neo vs DJI Neo 2: What’s the Difference?
You know that feeling when a company gets a small product almost perfect—and then somehow makes it even better? That’s exactly what DJI has done with the Neo 2. The original DJI Neo changed the way we think about pocket-sized drones: fun, friendly, and surprisingly capable for its size. But the Neo 2 feels like DJI took every single piece of user feedback and said, “Alright, let’s improve it.”
In this review, we’ll take a close look at the differences between DJI Neo 2 and DJI Neo, explain what has actually changed, and discuss whether the upgrade is worth your attention—or your money.
Design & Build: Compact but More Confident
Both the DJI Neo and Neo 2 stay true to DJI’s “mini yet mighty” design philosophy. The original Neo weighed around 135 g, making it one of the lightest and most beginner-friendly drones out there. It fit easily into a jacket pocket or a small travel pouch—perfect for spontaneous moments like sunset hikes or rooftop city views.
The DJI Neo 2 keeps the same ultra-compact shape but adds durability. It’s slightly heavier at 150 g, but the added weight comes from stronger motors, a more rigid frame, and reinforced propeller guards.
In flight, this translates to noticeably better stability, especially in windy conditions where the original Neo could feel a bit shaky. The build also feels more premium—tighter connections and cleaner finishing give the Neo 2 a more professional, polished feel rather than a prototype-like vibe.
Camera & Gimbal: Smoother, Sharper, More Cinematic
This is where DJI made the biggest leap. The original Neo recorded 4K 30fps footage with a 1/2-inch sensor and a single-axis gimbal—totally fine for quick social media clips but not ideal for dynamic movement or smooth pans.
Neo 2 transforms the experience. While the sensor size remains the same, DJI improved the optics and image processing—richer detail, better dynamic range, and stronger low-light performance.
The most important upgrade: a new 2-axis gimbal. This keeps the horizon perfectly level even during turns and diagonal movements. Combined with 4K 60fps video, you get buttery-smooth, cinematic footage with the option for slow motion.
Colors are more vibrant, skin tones look more natural, and highlights/shadows are better balanced. For travel vloggers and creators, the Neo 2 delivers near-cinematic quality straight from the drone—no heavy post-processing needed.
Flight Performance: More Stable & More Confident
Both drones are quick and precise, but the Neo 2 adds a new layer of confidence in the air. Upgraded motors and improved algorithms result in better positional hold and wind resistance. The original Neo was light and playful but could feel twitchy in gusts. Neo 2 is calmer, smoother, and noticeably more stable.
Controls feel more intuitive and responsive—making flying the Neo 2 genuinely enjoyable, whether you’re tracking a moving subject or experimenting with creative flight paths.
Sensing & Safety: Smarter and Safer
This is one of the most impressive upgrades. The original Neo came with only basic downward sensors for takeoff and landing. The Neo 2 now features front, downward, and side sensing.
It identifies obstacles earlier, adjusts its flight path, and avoids collisions automatically. Whether you’re flying through trees or in tight urban spaces, Neo 2 gives you much more confidence.
It’s still not on the level of DJI’s Mavic flagships, but for the mini-drone category, it’s a major step forward. Video transmission is also improved—cleaner and more stable even in interference-heavy areas.
Storage & Connectivity: Double the Space
Another practical improvement: internal storage increased from 22 GB to 49 GB. This means you can record far more 4K footage without worrying about running out of space—or swapping memory cards mid-flight.
This alone makes the Neo 2 an excellent travel companion for spontaneous filming.
Smart Features & App Experience
The original Neo already offered strong functionality—gesture control, palm takeoff, subject tracking. With the Neo 2, everything is quicker and smoother. Gestures register instantly, voice control is more accurate, and Follow Me tracking stays locked onto a subject even with irregular movement.
The app interface is cleaner, tutorials load faster, and pairing is almost instant. These improvements make flying feel less technical and much more creative.
Battery Life & Charging
Both drones have similar battery life—around 18–19 minutes per flight. However, the Neo 2 uses power more efficiently, giving you slightly longer real-world flight time during active filming.
It also charges faster, and the battery stays cooler during back-to-back flights—great for creators who need multiple takes outdoors.
Final Verdict: A Mini Drone That Feels Professional
The DJI Neo 2 doesn’t reinvent the mini-drone—it refines it. It’s more stable, smarter, and more cinematic, solving nearly all the original Neo’s shortcomings while keeping the same pocket-friendly size and “take it anywhere” energy.
If you film travel vlogs, city clips, or creative moving shots, the DJI Neo 2 is one of the best mini drones you can buy right now.
DJI Neo2 (1x battery) price:
239€
🔎Drons DJI Neo 2 (Tikai Drons) – Droni.lv
DJI Neo2 (3x batteries) price:
329€
DJI Neo2 Fly More Combo price:
399€
🔎Drons DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo – Droni.lv
DJI Neo2 Motion Combo price:
579€
🔎DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo drons – Droni.lv
For more information – DJI Neo 2 – Fly Your Way – DJI Latvia
