DJI has officially launched the Flip, a unique bicycle spoke folding drone aimed at photographers who have never flown a drone before. Priced at $439, the Flip offers higher quality photos and video than its immediate competition, making it an attractive starting point for those new to drone flying.

The Flip's design is reminiscent of a Star Wars AT-AT walker or a penny-farthing bicycle when folded, and it's the first DJI drone to automatically power on when unfolded, saving users two button presses. The drone's four spoke-filled full-coverage propeller guards, a first for DJI's folding drones, join an auto-braking, forward-facing 3D infrared sensor to protect the camera from front impacts.

In terms of camera quality, the Flip features a 1/1.3-inch 4K60 sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio, capable of taking 2.7K vertical video or 48-megapixel stills behind a fast f/1.7 aperture lens. This is a significant upgrade from the $199 DJI Neo, which struggles to maintain smooth level shots and produces muddy, washed-out images in comparison.

The Flip also boasts a three-axis gimbal to help maintain stability, and pros can record in 10-bit D-Log M. However, it's worth noting that pricier DJI drones may offer better performance and true vertical shooting by rotating the gimbal. DJI spokesperson Daisy Kong confirmed that the Flip is a new entry-level drone series that will be offered alongside the DJI Neo and DJI Mini, each designed to meet the needs of different types of beginners.

Despite its folding arms, the Flip is surprisingly large and doesn't fold down smaller than a Mini. It's also quite loud despite its ducted propellers, and it doesn't support FPV headsets. However, the Flip does come with a basic RC-N3 joystick controller that lets users launch it from their hand, and a $779 kit is available with three batteries, a carrying case, and a more capable DJI RC 2 controller with a built-in daylight visible 700-nit screen.

The DJI Flip is available to buy and ship today from DJI's website, with the $959 and $1,099 DJI Mini 4 Pro versions of each kit offering more advanced features. Overall, the Flip is an attractive option for photographers new to drone flying, offering higher quality photos and video than competitors at an affordable price point.

As the drone market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Flip performs and how DJI's unannounced Mini 5 might impact the market. For now, the Flip is a solid option for those looking to dip their toes into drone photography.