DJI Neo Drone Leak Reveals Beginner-Friendly Design with Enclosed Propellers

Jasper Ellens, a well-known DJI leaker, has shared photos on Twitter of what appears to be the upcoming DJI Neo drone. This new quadcopter seems to be positioned as a successor to the DJI Spark, targeting indoor use and beginner pilots.

READ MORE: DJI Neo: The Ultimate Beginner Drone for Gen Z and Beyond

Compact Design with Full Propeller Guards

The leaked images show a compact drone with a standout feature: fully integrated propeller guards. This design choice suggests DJI is prioritizing safety and ease of use, making the Neo an ideal option for new pilots or those flying in tight spaces.

“Full-Coverage Propeller Guards” is listed as a key feature on the product box, emphasizing the drone’s focus on safety. This design could make the Neo particularly appealing for indoor flight or use around children.

Lightweight and Portable

According to the information on the box, the DJI Neo weighs just 135 grams (4.76 ounces). This lightweight design, coupled with its compact form factor, positions the Neo as a highly portable drone option.

The DJI Neo Fly More Combo is expected to be priced at $329, which will make it a very affordable and likely popular DJI drone for beginners, and possible also first responders.

Features Tailored for Beginners

The Neo appears to come with several features aimed at novice pilots:

• Palm Takeoff & Landing
• AI Subject Tracking
• QuickShots
• Multiple Control Options
• 4K Ultra-Stabilized Video

These features suggest that DJI is targeting users who want an easy-to-use drone that can still capture high-quality footage.

The intelligent flight modes that include QuickShots are apparently available for selection on the top of the drone next to the battery indicator LED lights. We suspect that the button next to the various QuickShots options is a selector button. This is something we have not yet seen at previous DJI drones and would make this drone even more user-friendly.

The second button at the top of the back end of the drone is likely the on/off switch.

DJI drones have several intelligent flight modes, including QuickShots and other modes:

• QuickShots An intelligent flight function that automatically generates a short video based on the selected shooting mode. QuickShots modes include Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, Asteroid, and Dolly Zoom. For example, Dronie mode is similar to a selfie, but from a drone’s perspective. Rocket mode sends the drone straight up while keeping the gimbal locked on a subject. Asteroid mode starts like Dronie, but then zooms out until the sides of the screen form a circle. 
• Point of Interest Sets a specific location, object, or building as the Point of Interest, and the drone will continuously circle around it. 
• Active Track Has three saved modes: Trace, Profile, and Spotlight. Trace mode allows the drone to follow a subject from behind, in front, or while circling. Profile mode allows the drone to follow a moving object or person from a set distance. Spotlight mode allows the user to choose a direction and follow a subject from a set distance. 

What’s in the Box

The “Fly More Combo” package, as shown in the leaked images, includes:

• The Neo drone
• Propeller guards
• Spare propellers
• Three flight batteries
• A remote controller
• A charging hub
• A Type-C cable
• A screwdriver
• User manuals

Technical Specifications

The compliance label reveals some technical details:

• Model number: DN1A0626
• Battery: 7.3V, 1435mAh, 10.5Wh
• Input: 5V, Max 3A

DroneXL’s Take

The DJI Neo represents an exciting development in the consumer drone market. By focusing on safety features like enclosed propellers and emphasizing ease of use, DJI seems to be addressing the needs of new drone enthusiasts and indoor flyers.

This approach could potentially open up drone flying to a wider audience, including younger users and those who might have been hesitant to try drones due to safety concerns. The Neo’s design also aligns with the growing trend of cinewhoop-style drones, which prioritize safe operation in close quarters.

As the drone industry continues to evolve, products like the DJI Neo could play a crucial role in expanding the user base and demonstrating the potential of drone technology for everyday use. It will be interesting to see how this new offering impacts the market and whether it can successfully bridge the gap between toy drones and more advanced consumer models.

Photo courtesy of Jasper Ellens / X