2023 what is the best controller platform/tablet/phone/is for dronelink?

Drone 45
In 2023 what is the best controller platform/tablet/phone/is for running dronelink? Are the DJI smart controllers best, and if so, which ones? Which phones/tablets are best? Do iOS or Android have any advantage? What would you most recommend?
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Comments

17 comments

  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    What drone are you using?

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  • Comment author
    Drone 45

    Mavic 2 Pro

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  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff
    • Edited

    Any iOS device with an A12 bionic chip or later, and any Android device with a chip released within the last few years should be fine.

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  • Comment author
    Tim B

    As someone who has been looking for some time at upgrading from my current Galaxy Note 9, I'm also debating what to get. Jim mentioned the minimum recommendation as far as release dates for the different OSs are concerned. But when it comes to what's "best" that would seem to take into account things like screen size, screen resolution/brightness, fastest speed and so forth.

    Of course that comes down to in large part personal preferences. Apple vs. Android for example. Also, I see that companies like Apple & Samsung now have some huge tablets almost as big as the very first television set I owned way back when! The advantages of a large screen are obvious perhaps mitigated by the weight & mounting options required.

    Decisions, decisions...

     

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  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Don't forget that DJI has abandoned iOS for future drones.

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  • Comment author
    George K

    Was just going to add that about DJI dropping iOS support. If I move up from the Mini, will probably have to look at an Android device.... which will mean I have to have a dedicated device for drone work since I am not about to give up iOS for other uses.

    Hopefully I am correct in thinking I would not need cellular service for it, only wireless capability.

    Just seems like they are going to alienate a lot of their current user base, but neither do I know current percentages of Android to iOS.

    Tim B, re: size of screens, the first TV screen I ever watched was 3"... circa 1958 or so.

     

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  • Comment author
    Martin Reading Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

    I fly my mini 2 with a Galaxy tab 7FE, which I got a mount for through Amazon, got to love that 12.4"screen, sometimes I'll also use the phone section only of my old LG V50, I've also used my daily phone, which is a galaxy fold Z2

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  • Comment author
    Tim B
     
    Martin Reading
    I fly my mini 2 with a Galaxy tab 7FE
     
    Aha, now I remember that from a previous post of yours. The 7FE seems to have a lot going for it as far as my use is concerned. The price being a factor given, checking my Verizon account now, the S7FE 5G is $669.99 and the S8 5G is $1099.99. Can't believe there's that much of a difference, practically speaking.
     
    Not clear from their website what if anything they'd give me were I to trade my old Tab S2. I'll give them a call tomorrow and get the bottom line.
     
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  • Comment author
    Tim B

    George K
     the first TV screen I ever watched was 3"... circa 1958 or so.

    Yikes! Probably not color either! :-)
    Yeah, for quite some time, way back when, I had a very small B&W. Think it was 9" (?). Moved from that to a model of similar size but with a color screen and remote control. Real state-of-the-art stuff.

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  • Comment author
    Drone 45

    Thank you for the answers all.

    Is anyone using a DJI Smart Controller?  Is that recommended? If so, which is the best?

    Or is it better to get a dedicated android tablet?

    Thank you!

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  • Comment author
    Tim B
     
    Jim McAndrew
    Don't forget that DJI has abandoned iOS for future drones.
     
    I did not know that. Wow-- I can see why that would upset many of their current IOS users. Certainly makes my current upgrade decision process clearer.
     
    Never owned an IOS device myself so does not affect me but it always seemed like in the past when one platform or the other supported both OS systems, Apple development always came first.
     
    I guess a plus for developers going forward is that at some point the work involved to maintain support for two OS systems for DJIs products will require less effort.
     
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  • Comment author
    Martin Reading Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

    Is anyone using a DJI Smart Controller? 

    From what I read about these, I think their name is a bit of a misnomer, lol, a list of supported devices can be found here

    https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025829933-What-are-the-system-requirements-Supported-drones-and-devices-

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  • Comment author
    Jim McAndrew Dronelink Staff

    Is anyone using a DJI Smart Controller?  Is that recommended?

    If you mean the OG Smart Controller, stay far away - it has horrible performance.

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  • Comment author
    Tim B

    Martin Reading  Well, I've gone ahead and ordered the 7F. Trying to find your description of the tablet holder you're using?

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  • Comment author
    Martin Reading Dronelink Expert Dronelink Expert

    Tim B, here's  a link to the holder

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B092VK6NX3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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  • Comment author
    Tim B

    Martin Reading
    here's  a link to the holder

    Thanks, I'll check it out.

     

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  • Comment author
    Davit Harutyunyan
    • Edited

    I currently own an iPhone, but unfortunately, DJI is no longer updating their software development kit for iOS. As a result, I'm looking to purchase an Android phone to use specifically for drone applications. Could anyone recommend a reasonably priced Android phone with a 6+ inch screen that is compatible with the DJI Mini 3 on the beta version of Dronelink?

    One more question: I got a reasonable offer for Samsung A34 8/256 and Xiaomi 13 lite? Which one is preferable?

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