Not long after the previous generation DJI Neo entered the market with its "handheld takeoff" concept, DJI quickly released a sequel—DJI Neo 2If the previous generation Neo was an interesting "perspective-supplementing toy," then the Neo 2, after completing all the key performance upgrades, is more like a truly mature and reliable portable vlogging device.
It's "legally" lightweight at 151 grams, so you can just grab it and go.
In actual use, the most immediate impression of the Neo 2 is its "lightweight" design. It weighs only 151 grams.NoteThe aircraft's weight is precisely controlled, meaning that in most regions, including Taiwan, it still maintains its absolute advantage of being "ready to fly as soon as you get it." This psychological burden-free feeling, coupled with its small size that can easily be stuffed into a jacket pocket, greatly increases the willingness to take it out.
Note:If the digital image transmission module is included, the total weight is 160 grams.
Killer update: Control your flight with your Apple Watch!
DJI has always emphasized the "zero-barrier" nature of the Neo series, and this time they've taken convenience to another level. After obtaining a test unit and updating the firmware to the latest version, the Neo 2 now officially supports direct operation via Apple Watch!
This will have a huge impact on real-world usage. Imagine that when you're doing trail running, cycling, or holding trekking poles outdoors, you can simply raise your wrist to tap on the Apple Watch face to select takeoff, switch shooting modes, or start follow and issue landing commands.
In actual testing, the watch's connection response was remarkably instantaneous. This shooting experience, where you "almost can't feel the controller's presence," allows you to focus on the activity at hand while easily obtaining high-quality aerial footage, making it incredibly convenient for solo creators.
However, it's important to note that to control the Neo 2 via Apple Watch, you must first establish a connection between the Neo 2 and the DJI Fly app on your iPhone before you can operate it through the DJI Fly app on your Apple Watch.
Gesture controls understand you better, making follow-up photography finally reassuring.
Even without a physical remote control, gesture control remains the core gameplay of the Neo 2. Thanks to the upgraded "Force Gestures," I felt its recognition accuracy had improved noticeably. Whether waving your hand to control distance or extending your palm for positioning, the Neo 2's judgment is more crisp and decisive, with fewer instances of the machine "looking confused" in the air. The entire operation process is as smooth as flowing water.
As for the tracking performance that everyone is most concerned about, this time the "omnidirectional obstacle avoidance" system has finally been added, which is definitely the most valuable upgrade of Neo 2. Together with the downward-looking infrared sensing system and the forward-looking laser radar, it forms an omnidirectional monocular vision system with a range of 0.5 meters to 15 meters.
I actually tested the new "Cycling Follow Mode" on a tree-shaded park path. In the past, when using this type of small camera for follow-up shots, I was always worried that it would hit protruding branches on the side, but now the Neo 2 can flexibly and automatically detour or avoid obstacles when it detects them.
While it may not be able to perform extremely intense sports tracking like DJI's higher-end models (such as the Mavic series), its stability and safety are more than "sufficient" for everyday cycling and running recordings, allowing users to confidently entrust the camera to it without worry.
Summary: The most accessible full-featured 4K drone
In addition to the key features mentioned above, the Neo 2 boasts upgraded video specifications to 4K 100fps, coupled with level 5 wind resistance and RockSteady stabilization, resulting in highly usable footage. The increased built-in storage to 49GB also alleviates "storage anxiety" during recording.
In summary, the DJI Neo 2, while maintaining its ultra-lightweight design, has genuinely listened to user feedback and addressed shortcomings in areas such as obstacle avoidance and battery life. Combined with the convenient Apple Watch control feature, it has evolved from an experimental toy into a truly practical tool suitable for carrying around and recording everyday life.
With a starting price of just over NT$6,000 for the unit alone, the DJI Neo 2 is undoubtedly the easiest to use and most feature-rich entry-level 4K drone on the market. If you've never used a drone before and want to experience a bird's-eye view with minimal learning curve, the Neo 2 is definitely worth considering.
