Leaked DJI NEO May Be One of the Cheapest—And Most Fun—DJI Drones Ever

A new DJI drone called the Neo has shown up in several leaks lately, revealing a small, fun-looking drone that carries a 4K camera.

From what we’ve seen, it looks like the Neo may be a kind of selfie drone made to hover and take quick, easy selfies and other aerial shots while on the go.

The Neo was first leaked last week in a spy video that seems suspiciously steady, making it seem likely DJI put the video out on purpose.

Spark back to life in a Mavic form? pic.twitter.com/V9B19qb5R2

— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) July 25, 2024

Five days after that video was released more leaks started coming out, including this one showing the Neo’s packaging.

Hello #DJINeo, this Mini 5 is obviously made to be the successor of the DJI Spark with direct QuickShots and one click flying. If these pictures are real, I think release is a matter of weeks. Hopefully it will fly FPV aswell. Follow for more leaks. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/kKZYa1hyXJ

— Jasper Ellens | X27 (@JasperEllens) July 31, 2024

Neo Specs

But what’s on the back of that box? Don’t worry, that was also leaked!

Here’s what we know so far about the Neo’s specs:

• Weight. .3 pounds (135 grams), putting it below the FAA’s .55 pound weight limit for registration.
• Camera. 4K ultra-stabilized.
• Flight time. 15 minutes (estimated).
• AI features. AI-enabled subject tracking.
• Controller. Capable of hand takeoff and landing and RC flying.

We see prop guards in the photos, indicating the Neo could be meant for flying indoors or in tight spaces, which means it could be a small cinewhoop—possibly even a toned down version of the Avata.

The Neo also has an interface on it that allows you to push a single button to cycle through flight modes, making it easy to use and inviting comparisons with the HoverAir X1, another lightweight drone that’s similar in appearance.

The HoverAir X1

It’s also worth calling out the Neo’s incredibly small size.

To put the Neo’s .3 pound weight in perspective, the DJI Mini 4 Pro—one of the smallest drones DJI currently makes—weighs almost double what the Neo does, coming in at .54 pounds (249 grams).

Only the Ryze Tello weighed less, coming in at just .18 pounds (80 grams). (DJI doesn’t make the Tello any more.)

How Much Will the DJI Neo Cost?

The biggest news so far about the Neo may be its price.

According to leaker @JasperEllens, the Neo will sell for just $329, making it one of the most affordable drones DJI has ever made.

DJI Neo – first specs: 135 grams, AI subject tracking, 4K Ultra-stabilized, 3 batteries in the Fly more combo. Price only 329? These will sell like hot cakes. pic.twitter.com/5Lm8AUScDA

— Jasper Ellens | X27 (@JasperEllens) July 31, 2024

That $329 price seems to be for the Neo’s Fly More Combo, which will include three batteries, extra props, a charging hub, and a shoulder bag.

Currently, the Mini SE is the cheapest DJI drone you can buy—it’s selling in a Fly More Combo for $279 right now on Amazon. At $329 the Neo will come in second. (Before it was discontinued, the Tello sold for just $99.)

The Neo Has Already Hit the FCC Database

If you’re looking closely you may have noticed that one of the tweets from Ellens shows an FCC label.

This means that the Neo has already hit the FCC database, a step that comes shortly before a drone is actually released.

Given all the leaks and this FCC news, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Neo launches really soon—quite possibly before the end of this month.