DJI Neo 2 Review - Compact, Intelligent, and Affordable Camera Drone That Anyone Can Fly

Starting at just PHP 12,390, the DJI Neo 2 proves that smart, safe, and creative drone flying doesn’t have to be expensive, delivering gesture control, obstacle sensing, intelligent tracking, and crisp 4K video in one beginner-friendly package. Thoughtfully designed for first-time pilots yet flexible enough to grow with your skills, Neo 2 evolves from simple gesture flying to precise manual control and even immersive FPV, depending on the bundle you choose. This is DJI at its most accessible - confident, capable, and undeniably sulit for everyday creators, families, and aspiring drone pilots.

• Beginner-friendly and budget-conscious: Gesture control, obstacle avoidance, and palm takeoff make DJI Neo 2 one of the easiest and most affordable ways to start flying
• Smarter, safer, and more precise: Major sensor upgrades dramatically improve responsiveness and tracking over the original Neo
• Creative freedom without spending more: Cinematic QuickShots, Manual Mode, and hands-free shooting at a price that undercuts most DJI drones

When DJI launched the original Neo, it immediately stood out as a friendly and unintimidating entry point into the world of drones. I owned one myself, and while it wasn’t perfect, it was easy to appreciate and enjoy. Do you remember the video that I made with my nephews? We loved the mini drone!

The first generation DJI Neo didn’t demand technical know-how or careful planning. You could simply take it out, fly, and enjoy the experience. Neo made drone flying feel casual and accessible, rather than something reserved only for enthusiasts.

With the DJI Neo 2, however, DJI clearly went beyond simple refinement. Instead of just fixing a few rough edges, they rethought what an entry-level drone could and should offer. The result is a drone that feels more confident, more capable, and far more polished, while staying true to the original idea of being easy to use and unintimidating.

The DJI Neo 2 feels like a drone that should cost significantly more than it does. From its improved sensors and smarter obstacle avoidance to its ability to capture cinematic footage without even needing a smartphone or controller, Neo 2 delivers features that punch well above its price. 

For first-time drone owners especially, it positions itself as one of DJI’s best-value drones to date with SRP starting at just PHP 12,390, offering a smooth and reassuring introduction to flying without sacrificing creative potential.

Ultra-Light by Design, Effortless to Carry Anywhere

At just 151 grams, the DJI Neo 2 continues to embrace what made the original Neo so appealing: true portability. This is the kind of drone you can bring along on a spontaneous walk, a weekend bike ride, or a casual family gathering without feeling like you’re committing to a full-on shoot. There’s no bulky case to worry about, no complex setup, and no pressure to “make the flight count.” Neo 2 fits naturally into everyday moments, which is exactly how a beginner-friendly drone should feel.

This ultra-light design also lowers the mental barrier for first-time drone owners. When a drone feels this small and manageable, flying becomes less intimidating and more inviting. It encourages experimentation, short flights, and casual creativity -- something heavier, more complex drones often discourage.

Small Screen and Smart Buttons: Flying with Confidence Even With No Phone or Remote Control

One of the subtle but impactful upgrades on the DJI Neo 2 is its small onboard display and additional control buttons. Positioned conveniently next to the camera, the screen shows the current shooting mode, battery status, and flight information at a glance, so you always know what’s happening -- even without a smartphone or remote controller.

The extra buttons give you direct access to key functions, like switching between flight modes, starting and stopping recording, or adjusting camera angles. Combined with gesture and voice controls, this makes flying Neo 2 more intuitive, precise, and confidence-inspiring. You don’t need to constantly check a phone screen or navigate menus; the drone responds instantly to your commands, letting you focus on framing shots and enjoying the experience.

For first-time drone users or casual creators, this small but smart interface turns what can be an intimidating learning curve into a smooth, approachable, and even fun process. Flying without a phone or remote has never felt this effortless or reliable.

Smarter Responsiveness, Precision, and Obstacle Awareness

The biggest leap from Neo to Neo 2 is how responsive, accurate, and aware it feels in everyday use. Powered by an omnidirectional monocular vision system, forward-facing LiDAR, and downward infrared sensors, Neo 2 reacts faster and more intelligently to both user input and changes in its surroundings. Movements are smoother, stops are more controlled, and hovering is noticeably steadier. Even simple actions, like following you across a room or maintaining distance during a slow walk, feel more deliberate and confident than before.

This improved precision benefits far more than just active users. Whether you’re casually walking through a park, filming a family gathering, revealing your location via dramatic drone shot, capturing moments while traveling, or recording content for social media, Neo 2 keeps subjects framed consistently without sudden corrections. ActiveTrack feels far more refined than on the first-generation Neo, making follow shots look natural rather than automated. While the drone can track subjects at speeds of up to 12 m/s, it’s just as comfortable moving slowly for relaxed, cinematic footage that suits vlogs and lifestyle content.

What truly elevates this experience is Neo 2’s enhanced obstacle sensing and avoidance, which gives both beginners and casual creators the confidence to fly in real-world spaces. By combining omnidirectional vision sensing, forward-facing LiDAR, downward infrared sensors, and built-in propeller guards, Neo 2 detects obstacles in real time and adjusts its flight path intelligently. Compared to the original Neo, which demanded more caution in tight environments, Neo 2 feels far more aware and composed. This allows users to focus on the moment they’re capturing rather than the drone itself, making it an impressively capable creative companion even for those who don’t consider themselves “drone people.”

A Drone Anyone Can Truly Fly – Simple, Fun, and Creative

The DJI Neo 2 is designed to remove the intimidation factor that often comes with drones. Whether you’re a first-time flyer, a casual content creator, or an aspiring travel vlogger, Neo 2 gives you multiple ways to take to the skies. You can fly it without a smartphone, without a remote controller, relying solely on hand gestures or voice commands, or you can pair it with a traditional remote controller for longer range and greater precision. This versatility ensures that beginners and experienced users alike can enjoy flying without stress or confusion.

Gesture Control has been refined to feel natural and intuitive. With one palm facing the drone, you control altitude and horizontal movement; with both palms, you can push the drone away or pull it closer. No sticks, no complicated menus, and no screens are needed to capture amazing footage. Neo 2’s combination of responsiveness, stability, and obstacle avoidance makes these hands-free interactions feel deliberate and reliable, so you can focus on the moment rather than worrying about crashes or lost control.

Neo 2 supports DJI’s signature QuickShots, including Dronie for dramatic pull-back shots, Circle for smooth orbiting footage, Rocket for vertical reveals, Helix for spiraling cinematic shots, Boomerang for dynamic motion, and Spotlight to keep subjects framed. Thanks to the upgraded sensors and improved obstacle avoidance, these QuickShots feel smoother, safer, and more intentional than ever, allowing users to capture cinematic footage automatically without worrying about collisions or shaky movements. Beyond QuickShots, MasterShots intelligently combines multiple dynamic angles into a polished video, while Dolly Zoom adds dramatic, social-media-ready effects. All of these creative modes work seamlessly even without a smartphone or remote controller, making Neo 2 not only accessible but genuinely empowering for beginners, casual creators, and aspiring travel vloggers looking to produce cinematic content effortlessly.

Manual Mode: A Drone You Won’t Outgrow Quickly

While Neo 2 shines with intelligent automation, it also offers a Manual Mode for users who want full creative control over their flights. Beginners can start by experimenting with hand gestures, QuickShots, or automated MasterShots, and gradually explore more advanced flying as their confidence grows. 

For those who want even finer precision, Neo 2 can be paired with a smartphone via the DJI Fly app or the DJI RC-N3 remote controller, unlocking complete control over flight paths, gimbal angles, and camera settings. This flexibility ensures that Neo 2 can grow with you - from casual hands-free flying to more sophisticated, cinematic content creation - making it a drone you truly won’t outgrow quickly.

Palm Takeoff, Return-to-Palm, and SelfieShot Simplicity

One of the most intimidating parts of learning to fly a drone is simply getting it off the ground and bringing it back safely. DJI Neo 2 makes this worry disappear with Palm Takeoff and Return-to-Palm. 

To launch, you simply hold the drone in your hand, point it at yourself, and press the takeoff button; Neo 2 rises smoothly on its own. When it’s time to land, Return-to-Palm allows the drone to locate your hand and land gently right in your palm, removing the guesswork and stress of traditional landings.

Capturing moments is just as effortless. SelfieShot automatically adjusts the camera to frame you perfectly, switching seamlessly between waist-up, full-body, and wide shots. It’s like having a personal camera operator that follows your every move, so whether you’re at a birthday party, on a weekend outing, or exploring a new travel destination, Neo 2 ensures every shot is beautifully composed, without needing extra help, tripods, or complicated setups. 

My favorite mode, though, is still Follow as it supports all the Palm Gestures for ease of use. It's very precise in figuring out the gestures and the camera movements look so smooth. I feel like I can do magic whenever I would fly DJI Neo 2 in Follow Mode. Try it yourself!

Recording External Audio While Flying

One underrated but genuinely useful feature of the DJI Neo 2 is its flexibility when it comes to recording external audio during flight. When flying using your smartphone via the DJI Fly app, the drone allows audio to be captured not from the drone itself, but from your connected device. This means you can record clean voiceovers or live commentary using DJI microphones, third-party Bluetooth microphones, or even the onboard microphone of your Android phone or iPhone. For creators who prefer talking while flying, this setup removes the need for post-production voiceovers and makes real-time storytelling much easier.

For vloggers and content creators, this is a big deal. You can walk, talk, gesture, and fly the DJI Neo 2 at the same time while still capturing usable audio, whether you’re narrating a travel clip, explaining a shot, or reacting in real time. Pair it with a wireless mic and you instantly elevate your production quality without adding complexity to your workflow. It’s a thoughtful feature that fits perfectly with the DJI Neo 2’s creator-first design philosophy, making it an appealing tool for vloggers who want speed, simplicity, and flexibility in the field.

Storage, Transfers, and Everyday Convenience

The DJI Neo 2 is built to make everyday flying and content management effortless. Its 49GB of internal storage allows you to capture hours of footage without constantly swapping memory cards. Here’s what it can hold:

Up to 105 minutes of 4K video at 60fps

Up to 175 minutes of 4K video at 30fps

Up to 241 minutes of 1080p video at 60fps

Once your footage is ready, transferring it is fast and straightforward. Neo 2 connects wirelessly to the DJI Fly app, allowing transfers at speeds of up to 80 MB/s. 

This means you can quickly review, edit, and share your videos without the hassle of cables or complicated workflows, perfect for casual creators, aspiring travel vloggers, or anyone who wants to focus on capturing moments rather than managing files.

DJI Neo 2 Price and Availability in the Philippines

DJI Neo 2 Standard Drone is priced at PHP 12,390 and includes the following: 

DJI Neo 2 Aircraft

Intelligent Flight Battery

Spare Propellers

Propeller Guards

Gimbal Protector

USB-C Cable

Documentation and DJI Stickers

The DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo (Drone Only) is priced at PHP 16,490 and adds a Two-way Charging Hub for longer flying sessions on top of the standard package.

The DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo with RC-N3 is priced at PHP 20,590 and includes the DJI RC-N3 Remote Controller, RC cables, Digital Transceiver, and the full Fly More accessory set. For the features it offers, Neo 2 delivers exceptional value for money.

Finally, there's the DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo Drone that goes for PHP 30,490 and it includes DJI RC Motion 3 and DJI Goggles N3 on top of the Fly More Combo (Drone Only) version.

Which Combo is Right For You?

For first-time drone owners, casual users, and families, the DJI Neo 2 Standard Drone at PHP 12,390 already offers excellent value. It delivers the core Neo 2 experience - gesture control, obstacle sensing, intelligent tracking, and 4K video - without unnecessary complexity or added cost. This version is ideal for those who want to learn the basics, capture everyday moments, and experience DJI’s ecosystem in the most accessible way possible. 

If you see yourself flying more often or want the convenience of charging multiple batteries, the Fly More Combo (Drone Only) at PHP 16,490 is a practical upgrade that adds flexibility without significantly increasing the investment.

For content creators, hobbyists, and users who want more control, the Fly More Combo with RC-N3 at PHP 20,590 strikes the best balance between price and capability. The inclusion of a physical remote controller and digital transceiver unlocks greater precision, longer range, and more confident manual flying, making it suitable for those who want to grow creatively with the drone. 

Meanwhile, users looking for a more immersive experience, especially those curious about FPV flying, will find the DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo at PHP 30,490 a compelling option. With DJI RC Motion 3 and DJI Goggles N3 included, it transforms Neo 2 into a uniquely accessible entry point into FPV, further reinforcing its reputation as one of the most versatile and sulit drones in DJI’s current lineup.

TechPinas Tutorial Video: Learn and See It in Action

TechPinas has a dedicated DJI Neo 2 tutorial video showing how to fly the drone in Follow Mode, use gesture controls, and activate its smart features. The video also includes real-world sample footage recorded using the DJI Neo 2.

Verdict and Recommendation

As someone who owns the original DJI Neo, the Neo 2 feels like a confident and well-judged evolution rather than a simple refresh. DJI clearly listened to what worked and, more importantly, what needed refinement. The improvements in responsiveness, obstacle sensing, tracking precision, and overall stability fundamentally change how the drone feels in real-world use. Neo 2 no longer feels like a “safe” drone you tolerate for convenience; it feels like a capable flying camera you can genuinely trust.

What makes the DJI Neo 2 especially compelling is how it balances safety, intelligence, and creativity without inflating the price. It’s safer, smarter, more precise, and far more intuitive than the first-generation Neo, yet it remains surprisingly affordable for what it offers. For first-time drone owners, Neo 2 removes fear and guesswork, replacing them with confidence and curiosity. You can start flying with gestures, grow into manual control, and explore creative modes at your own pace.

DJI Neo 2 isn’t just easy to fly, it is also thoughtfully designed, genuinely accessible, and delivers exceptional value for money. 

For anyone looking to enter the world of drones - or upgrade from the original Neo - it stands out as one of the smartest and most sulit ways to start flying today.