DJI Flip Review

The DJI Flip is a unique, compact folding drone capable of flying with and without a controller, and it is extremely versatile for use in a variety of circumstances. It features full-coverage propeller guards and has a great subject tracking feature that allows you to follow the main subject while keeping proper framing. Its ability to shoot 4k video is the icing on the cake.

Image Quality

The DJI Flip carries a single camera payload with a 1/1.3" sensor, capable of capturing 4k video and 48 MP still images. The camera uses a three-axis gimbal for rock-solid stability and smooth flow while filming. The camera gimbal has a wide, 125-degree span, ranging from -90 degrees looking straight down, all the way up to 35 degrees.

Although the DJI Flip has the same camera sensor as the DJI Mini 4 Pro, the Flip does not have the ability to rotate the camera 45 degrees like the Mini 4 Pro. Therefore, it cannot capture true vertical 4k footage. However, you can still crop footage in the increasingly popular 9:16 format and maintain a 2.7 K image resolution. For the price you pay, the Flip has a highly capable camera that consistently delivers clear and smooth footage. One thing we did note is that it can struggle to compensate for overexposure in high contrast shots.

Flight Performance

When it comes to flight performance, we initially didn't expect much from the compact, lightweight DJI Flip, but it is surprisingly nimble and capable. It demonstrated solid stability during takeoff, landing, and hovering, and is very responsive to control input and predictable in flight. It's a bit more twitchy and less composed in flight than its smaller brother, the DJI Mini 4 Pro. The Flip can be flown in three different flight modes: Cine, Normal, and Sport. You can conveniently toggle between flight modes using the controller at any time during your flight.

The DJI Flip is equipped with a 3D infrared sensing system, enabling it to sense obstacles and brake, even in low light scenarios. The system works well, but the sensing system faces forward, limiting its capabilities when moving from side to side or backwards. There are two additional sensors on the Flip, both of which are downward-facing: a visual sensor and an infrared sensor. In our obstacle avoidance testing, we came closer to a wall than we would have liked, but ultimately, the sensors did stop the Flip from coming into contact with the wall.

Portability

When folded, the DJI Flip measures just seven inches diagonally, making it easy to stash in a jacket pocket or small backpack. We even hauled it around in our pockets a few times during testing. There is no fitting foam piece to immobilize the camera gimbal included with the Flip, but it does have a fitted silicone cover that protects the camera and a plastic cover that snaps into place over the entire camera to protect it when not in use.

The silicone cover that goes over the camera of the DJI Flip is a really tight fit, and it takes a bit more care and finesse to remove than the gimbal protection on other drones we've used. One thing to keep in mind when using the Flip is that as soon as you fold out all four of the propeller arms, it will automatically turn on, and if you're new to drones, you may not be aware that powering on a drone without removing the gimbal protection can possibly damage the camera gimbal, hurting both your drone and your wallet. Even if you're not new to drones, it seems that the Flip is particularly prone to damage when setting it up for flight because of this strange feature.

Previous Next

Usability

The DJI Flip comes with the DJI RC-N3 Controller. When compared to the DJI RC-N2, the only real difference is the battery life and subsequent weight; the RC-N3 offers 3.5 hours and a slightly lighter weight than the DJI RC-N2, which has a 6-hour battery life. You'll need a device to run the DJI Fly app, and the Flip's included controller has a highly adjustable clamp for securing your phone. An included perfect-length USB-C cable connects your phone to the controller, and tucks away into a nifty storage area when not in use. The joysticks are also removable, and you can tuck them into small indentations in the controller to make it safe and easy to transport.

We love that the DJI Flip can be flown with or without a controller depending on your activity. It can take off right from the palm of your hand and can track you or perform a variety of popular tracking shots, like a dronie, where it slowly flies away, or a rocket, where it takes off straight up above you while capturing video below. The active tracking of the Flip requires you to be quite close to work well, and it works best with slow, consistent objects or subjects. When you're done shooting, you can catch the Flip by placing your hand close underneath it, and it will land right in your palm. When flown with a controller, the Flip struggled to return to its original takeoff location, landing several feet away, and missing the landing pad completely. While the Flip does have internal storage, it can only store 2 GB of media, which fills up quickly when filming in 4 K, so be sure to pair it with a large SD card for extended use.

Should You Buy the DJI Flip?

The DJI Flip is a compact, highly portable, and surprisingly capable drone that offers great value to end users. It utilizes a three-axis gimbal for camera stabilization, which offers a wide range of vertical adjustability and provides solid stability for smooth, fluid video capture. Being quite small and lightweight, the Flip struggles when the wind picks up, so if you know you'll be flying in breezy conditions frequently, you'll want to consider a larger drone, as they usually have better wind resistance. The Flip is ideal for both first-time and experienced flyers seeking a versatile drone that can be flown with or without a controller.

What Other Drones Should You Consider?