DJI has shown with its new DJI Neo 2 that “selfie drones” are no longer toys for tourists, but serious little flying robots. With a LiDAR sensor for obstacle avoidance, gesture control and 4K video at 60 frames per second, the Neo 2 aims to become an everyday aerial videographer. But all of this comes first – where else – than in China.
Drones have come a long way from makeshift flying cameras to full-fledged assisted recording devices. The DJI Neo 2 is the epitome of that trend: microscopically small, technically brash, and unusually confident. Not only can it follow its owner at nearly 27 miles per hour, it can now also dodge trees, walls, or unsuspecting grandmas in the park.
If the first Neo was a “selfie drone,” then the Neo 2 is a little personal recording assistant – with laser vision.
LiDAR: the eyes of the future
The biggest new feature of the DJI Neo 2 is its ability to act like it has nerves. It now sees the world around it with a forward-facing LiDAR sensor and a downward-facing infrared sensor. This means it's no longer flying blind - it can detect a wall, a branch or a dog before it goes "boom".
The propellers still live in a protective cage (just in case), but DJI promises that there will be far fewer collisions. The system is not as sophisticated as in larger models (such as the Air 3 series), but in the class of “pocket” drones it is a breakthrough.
Gestures instead of a remote
The most “sci-fi” part DJI Neo 2 is gesture control. As a conductor, you can use your hands to signal the drone to move closer, farther away, or take a different position. The built-in mini display now shows what mode it's in, meaning less guessing about what those LED lights actually mean.
With the ability to be controlled via the classic RC-N3 remote control or even DJI Goggles N3, the Neo 2 has become a multifunctional toy for all types of videographers - from sports vloggers to ordinary tourists who want to make their lake jump footage cinematic.
Faster, stronger, tougher
DJI has designed the Neo 2 to withstand winds of up to 24 mph (38 km/h). The first Neo was, according to testers, “a little wind-shy”—it swayed like an inflatable Christmas decoration in a light breeze.
Now it's a different story. The drone can follow the user at a speed of 12 m/s (27 mph), which is about a third of the speed of a small sport aircraft. And with a larger battery (1,606 mAh), it can last up to 19 minutes of flight - which in the drone world means "forever", considering that most mini models last around 12.
Camera: smaller but more serious
The Neo 2 still has a half-inch sensor, but with a two-axis gimbal (mechanical stabilizer) and a wider field of view. It now shoots in 4K at 60 fps, or even 100 fps in manual mode. This means you can capture slow-motion footage with quality that even a YouTube creator with a million followers wouldn't be ashamed of.
DJI has also increased the internal memory – from 22GB to 49GB. That’s enough to store a full day of footage before you even think about a microSD card.
A price that doesn't hurt (yet)
In China it is DJI Neo 2 available from 1,499 yuan (about €211). That's €28 more than the first Neo, which is a small price considering the new features. For €282 you get a package with extra batteries and a charger, and for €521 you get a set with DJI Goggles N3 and a motion joystick.
The European market will probably see it in the second half of November 2025, while the American one... well, the bureaucrats there will probably be talking about "national security" for a while longer.
Conclusion: DJI Neo 2
DJI Neo 2 is proof that the “selfie drone” no longer means compromise. It’s smarter, faster, and more useful than ever before – and it remains as portable as a bar of chocolate.
With added LiDAR, better video, and gesture control, DJI is communicating one clear thing: the future of drones is small but increasingly confident.
If the first Neo was a gadget, then Neo 2 is a real companion – a small cyborg with big ambitions who knows how to keep his distance… and now he understands when you tell him to “come closer”.
