DJI continues its streak of innovations (and highly filtered) drones with the launch of the Flip, a lightweight, human-safe model that folds in a new direction (down) to accommodate the large covered propellers. The new model should appeal to both beginners and experienced users with features like a large sensor, 4K 100p video, security features, a three-axis gimbal, and an affordable price.
The company says the Flip “combines the simplicity of the DJI Neo with the impressive photography capabilities of the DJI Mini,” but in many ways it's better than both. It borrows a LiDAR system from the Air 3S for obstacle detection, and the Flip's propellers are protected on all sides, making it nearly impossible to hurt anyone with them. DJI says the support structure for the shields is made of carbon fiber yarn that is 1/60th the weight of the polycarbonate material and just as strong. That made it possible to keep the weight below 249 grams, so buyers will be able to fly it without permission in most countries.
For beginners, the Flip is like the Neo in that users can place it in their hand and select one of six smart shooting modes like Dronie or Boomerang. Then, it will automatically take off and perform that flight mode, capturing high-quality video up to 4K 60p while avoiding obstacles using the LiDAR sensor. This will help creators who are new to the world of drones capture quick and interesting aerial shots safely.
More advanced users will also be able to fly it with a controller, either the RC 2 with a screen or the RC-N3 without. This allows for full manual control and also unlocks DJI's FocusTrack technology (with ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0 and Point of Interest 3.0), allowing you to track yourself or another subject automatically. At the same time, it will avoid forward obstacles using LiDAR and objects below with the 3D infrared system. However, the Flip cannot track obstacles behind it, so users should be careful when flying backwards.
If you're hoping to use the Flip as an FPV drone, you can forget about it. Unlike the Neo, it doesn't support the Goggles N3 and Motion 3 controller combo, and it's unknown if it will in the future.
The Flip can fly forward at up to 26 MPH in Sport mode (with object detection disabled), pretty fast for such a small drone. However, given the light weight and large surface area when deployed, it will not be the best drone in high winds. However, the large propellers also mean that the Flip is much quieter than the Neo in flight, meaning it will be more practical to use at events such as weddings or concerts.
The batteries are feather-light at 83.5 grams, but have 3,110 mAh of power, allowing the Flip to stay in the air for about 34 minutes at most (about 28 minutes in the real world). They can be charged directly on the drone or much more quickly using the four-battery charger in the Fly More kit (70 minutes for two batteries with 65W of power). To keep the weight down, the Flip doesn't have built-in internal storage, so you'll need a high-speed microSD card.
The Flip supports DJI's O4 streaming system with live video up to 1080p at 60fps. That allows for a maximum range of 8 miles in the US or 5 miles in Europe, very good for such a small device. Like the Neo, the Flip can also be controlled by a smartphone via WiFi, but only at a maximum distance of 50m.
With the same 1/1.3-inch sensor as the Mini 4 Pro, you can expect to get roughly the same (very good) video and photo quality. The flip supports 4K up to 60 fps or 4K at 100 fps in slow motion mode, in either normal, HDR or D-LogM quality. However, unlike the Mini 4 Pro, the camera doesn't swivel sideways to allow full-resolution vertical shots, so it's limited to 2.7K, which is a bit of a bummer for TikTok or Insta creators.
DJI's latest drone appears to be a response, in part, to its rival HoverAir. HoverAir also makes lightweight drones with covered propellers that fold, while offering palm takeoff and easy-to-use features for creators. However, the Flip has larger propellers and doubles the flight time.
One small drawback I noticed is that the Flip's propellers don't have a lot of ground clearance, so they tend to snag even in short grass during takeoff. As such, you will generally need to take off from a flat, smooth surface or from your hand. For more detailed information, stay tuned as my full Engadget review is coming soon.
Otherwise, the Flip looks like another solid drone from DJI, offering more benefits than the Neo (and a lot less noise) for just over $200 more. The Flip is now available for $439 with the RC-N3 controller, $639 with the RC 2 display controller, or $779 in the Fly More kit with the RC 2 display controller, charging center, carrying case, and two extra batteries.
