DJI’s Palm-Sized Drone Neo 2 Brings Gesture Control and 4K/60 Video –
DJI’s tiny Neo 2 lands with big upgrades, nudging the palm-sized drone category forward with smarter obstacle detection, sharper footage, and more intuitive control options. It’s rolling out first in China, with a broader international release slated to begin on 13 November.
Compact frame, stronger safety net
While still remarkably small, the Neo 2 grows slightly in size and weight to around 151 grams—changes that pave the way for a much more vigilant safety suite. A combination of forward-facing LiDAR and downward infrared sensing now gives the drone omnidirectional awareness, helping it read the environment and avoid mishaps. Full propeller guards further reduce the chances of scuffs and scrapes, making the Neo 2 friendlier for first-time pilots and indoor flights alike.
Stable, swift, and breeze-resistant
Performance sees a substantial bump. The drone can now track subjects at up to 12 m/s (about 27 mph), a notable leap for a device this small. It also holds position reliably in winds up to roughly 24 mph, which should keep footage steady when you’re flying on blustery days or along coastal paths.
Wave to fly: gesture control and more
For creators who prefer minimal setup, the Neo 2 leans into simple, human-centered input. Gesture control lets you nudge position, adjust distance, or line up a selfie with a few hand movements. A tiny onboard display surfaces the current flight mode so you’re never guessing what the drone is doing.
Those who want deeper control can slot into DJI’s wider ecosystem: the RC-N3 remote for traditional sticks, motion controllers for one-handed steering, and the Goggles N3 headset if you want that immersive, FPV-style perspective that blurs the line between camera drone and virtual reality experience.
Sharper glass, smoother motion
The camera stack is where the Neo 2 most clearly outpaces its predecessor. A 1/2‑inch sensor now sits behind a wider field of view, teamed with a dual-axis gimbal to settle bumps and jitters. Video tops out at 4K at a fluid 60 frames per second for cinematic motion, with an optional manual mode unlocking up to 100 fps for users who want extra control over exposure and motion blur.
Low-light performance has been tuned for cleaner, more detailed dusk shots, while new Intelligent Flight Modes expand creative options. Cycling Follow keeps pace with riders, SelfieShot frames you with minimal effort, and MasterShots strings together complex maneuvers to produce polished edits with little post-production.
Storage, stamina, and real-world runtime
Internal storage nearly doubles to 49 GB, a welcome boost that leaves room for extended sessions even if you forget a microSD card. Power comes from a 1,606 mAh battery rated for up to 19 minutes aloft under ideal conditions—plenty for quick vlogs, scouting locations, or snapping a highlight reel between charges.
Pricing and bundles
- Base kit: starts at 1,499 CNY
- Bundles: step up with extras like additional batteries, charging cases, and controllers, topping out at 3,699 CNY
The tiered options make it easy to tailor the setup—travelers might favor the charging case, while action shooters benefit from spare batteries and a dedicated controller.
Rollout timeline and regulatory caveats
While international availability is targeted to begin mid-November, the timeline in some regions remains fluid. Although wireless certification hurdles in the U.S. have been addressed, additional customs inspections and security reviews may slow the path to store shelves in markets like the United States and Australia.
Early takeaway
Neo 2 reads like a thoughtful iteration rather than a splashy reinvention, but the sum of its refinements—true omni obstacle sensing, a stronger camera pipeline, solid wind resistance, and a frictionless control stack spanning gestures to goggles—adds up to a compelling pocket drone. For creators who want a travel-friendly flyer that’s equally at home capturing fast action or hands-free selfies, this looks like the most confident version of DJI’s palm-sized formula to date.
