Why I Regret Buying the DJI Neo: Real User Experience Review

I truly regret not opting for the Fly More Combo with the remote controller! The DJI Neo is nothing short of spectacular. Here’s my half-month journey and thoughts as a complete newbie with zero flying experience!

I picked up the Pocket 3 at the end of August, and the moment the new DJI Neo hit the market, I jumped on it without hesitation. Let me tell you—DJI knows how to reel you in! Now I get their strategy: once beginners like me buy in, they’re bound to start eyeing higher-end models. Trust me, I’m already drooling over the Mini 4 Pro and Air 3 😂.

I went for the standalone version, added one battery, and threw in a two-year replacement service—all for $180. But here’s the kicker—I deeply regret that decision 😭. Not going for the Fly More Combo was a huge oversight. The extra two batteries, the charging hub, and the remote controller in the combo are all incredibly practical.

🔋 Battery & Charging: If you stick to automatic mode for video shooting, a single battery can last around 14-15 flights. The charging hub is a game-changer—it fully charges three batteries in under an hour. Directly charging the drone itself takes about an hour, and now I sorely wish I’d sprung for the Fly More Combo from the start. If I want to add those extras now, it’ll cost me at least another $20.

At first, I only planned to use the six automatic modes for filming, but the more I played around, the more hooked I became. Then I visited the DJI store to try out the remote controller 🎮, and let me tell you—regret levels skyrocketed.

📱 Phone Control Limitations: Using your phone relies on a WiFi connection, which gets sketchy if the drone ventures too far. Losing signal? It happens. And when it does, you’re left waiting helplessly for the battery to drain before the drone lands on its own 😢. In open areas, this might not be a big deal, but in less ideal conditions, you could even risk damaging or losing the drone.

With phone control, the maximum height is capped at 30 meters, and the system will alert you when you approach the flight distance limit. That advertised 50-meter range? That’s purely horizontal.

🎮 Why You Need the Remote Controller: If you want to unlock more possibilities and have more fun, go for the version with the remote controller—it opens up so many more options. There’s no comparison between controlling the drone via phone versus a remote controller—the phone’s signal just isn’t reliable enough. Flying long distances with phone control isn’t safe. Plus, the remote controller helps beginners practice, laying the groundwork for mastering more advanced models down the line 🤣.

🌟 Final Thoughts: If you’re buying it solely for casual use and plan to rely on the six automatic modes for shooting 📸, then a phone works fine. If the remote controller would just collect dust, there’s no need to splurge. However, if you’re aiming for something more professional and safer, I strongly recommend opting for the Fly More Combo!

If you’re curious about my DJI Neo test flight video, check out my other post 😘