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DJI has gained a reputation over the years for producing the highest-quality drones on the market. But with such standards also comes a price.
This year, they’ve released something that breaks that barrier, something an average person could easily fly and enjoy the experience.
I’ve had a fair bit of time with the DJI Mini 3 Pro; yes, a competent drone, but also quite expensive.
They’ve come up with something brand new: the DJI Flip, available for only $439 for the base product.
Ironically, $439 isn’t cheap at all. We’ll dive into what gives this drone its price tag.
Pros:
The DJI Flip comes with several unique pros compared to most other DJI drones, beyond just a better camera and longer flight time. The target consumer for this product has made DJI create something different. But I’ll also note that the lower price tag placed on the Flip does bring some downgrades to the drone:
Excellent camera: The Flip features a camera nearly identical to that of the DJI Mini 4 Pro, which is several hundred dollars more expensive. It’s only downgraded by the range of colors it can capture, which isn’t a big deal for most consumers purchasing this drone.
Easy takeoff & flight: DJI has really gone a long way in making flying a drone easy with the new Flip. With intelligent voice commands, you can fly the drone even without a controller. And if you do want that extra “control,” you can use the given controller or use your phone as a controller itself through the DJI app.
Guarded Propellers: The guards on the propellers contribute to the idea of who this drone was designed for. You don’t need to know how to fly a drone. You can drive it straight to your friend, and nothing happens to them or your drone. But the guards also bring a negative to the equation, as you’ll see in the con section.
Intricate folding design: As always, DJI has strived to make this drone cover a small footprint in your backpack, but this time with a different design. Due to the guards, they’ve reoriented the folding mechanism, which now folds to keep all the propellers packed ‘under’ the body.
Lightweight: The drone's 249-gram weight can be a significant advantage for many people, as many countries impose restrictions on drones weighing more than 250 grams. The lightweight significantly opens up your options for flying your drone without needing any government permissions for the area.
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Cons:
No vertical shooting: If you’re looking for a budget drone for social media, this is a significant downgrade. Unlike the DJI Mini Pro series, the Flip can only film horizontally.
Low efficiency battery: The Flip has a significantly higher battery capacity than the DJI Mini 4 Pro, but it still provides roughly the same flight time. It’s less efficient overall, meaning it’ll be noisier in the air and use more energy to achieve the same results as the Mini Pro.
Poor obstacle avoidance: Compare it to a drone like the Mini 4 Pro; the Flip is particularly weak in obstacle detection and avoidance. It only has sensors front and back, as well as on the bottom for landing, unlike the Mini 4 Pro, which has vision all around for optimal safety.
Wind Resistance: Now, returning to the propeller guards, this is their ultimate drawback. High up in the sky, they can act like “mini parachutes,” which can make it very hard to fly in windy conditions, the battery will be used up faster, and your footage might be shaky. On the ground, close to your height, wind won’t affect the drone as much, though.
Buy If:
You’re a content creator who wants a little spice in your videos with a couple of drone shots, but you don’t want to be a “drone” guy.
You’re an average consumer who wants to take cool shots and document your travels.
You’re excited about the concept of drones, but are on a limited budget.
Don’t Buy If:
You’re looking for something more professional, perhaps a better camera, enhanced stabilization, improved sensors, and additional features for professional filmmaking.
You have a larger budget to spend on a better drone, such as the Mini 4 Pro, the Mavic 3 Pro, or a similar model of comparable quality.
You don’t have the budget to purchase even one of the most affordable DJI drones (the cheapest being the NEO 2).
A Few Final Words:
The DJI Flip is a remarkable drone that has given people the chance to experience the essence of quality drones in a compact package at an affordable price.
To some, the DJI Flip might appear like another ugly drone. Some might shy away at the price tag labeled as “cheap.” Some may praise the product to everyone they meet on the streets. People will always have varying opinions, but the numbers speak only the truth. It’s not the best nor the worst drone out there for its price. It comes with several advantages and a few drawbacks as well. But in the end, the choice is ultimately yours to make. So, will you be seeing it in your backpack any time soon?
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