Flying your DJI drone using a dedicated controller can be so much fun, but do you know what will make the experience even more gratifying?
Why spend 1000 dollars on a drone and try to fly it with a 4.5 inch baby screen? Rather fly it using a tablet or phablet!
Yup - the process is a lot easier and you get better visuals.
But there is a teeny-weeny problem. With so many DJI Go 4 compatible devices available in the market, how do you pick the most ideal fit for the DJI quadcopter you want to fly?
There are various issues to consider when choosing the right compatible DJI Go device. So, to make it easy for you, we are reviewing some of the best tablets and phones you can use to fly your drones.
In a hurry?
Before we delve deeper into the details, here’s a quick summary of our best picks for DJI Go 4 compatible tablets. Be sure to check the dimensions to determine whether a table mount for your device will be necessary:
Best DJI Go 4 Compatible Tablets
Device | Screen | Weight | CPU | RAM | Latest Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NVIDIA Shield K1 | 8.9 inches | 390g | Nvidia Tegra K1 processor 2.2GHz | 2GB | |
iPad Air (2019) | 10.5 inches | 456g | A12 Bionic (~2,5GHz) | 2GB | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 | 9.7 inches | 298g | 1.3GHz octa-core processor | 3GB | |
iPad Mini 4 | 7.9 inches | 300g | A8 (1.5GHz) | 2GB | |
DJI Crystal Sky | 7.85 inches | 425g | Rockchip RK3066 4-core CPU @1.61GHz | 4GB | No products found. |
iPad Pro | 9.7 inches | 435g | A10X Hexa-core CPU + Apple M9 motion coprocessor | 2GB |
Now let us share some details about the devices themselves:
The Nvidia Shield K1 is one of the most popular tablets for flying drones. It not only offers high specifications but also comes with an HDMI port, giving it an edge over conventional tablets in the market.
Nvidia features an 8.9-inch display with 1920 by 1200 HD resolution. However, it has a maximum screen brightness of 471nits, which is almost half the 1000nits you get from the DJI Crystal Sky tablet.
Technically, the Nvidia K1 was designed for gaming. Its 2GB RAM and Tegra K1 processor are sufficient to run your DJI Go App without crashing. With a 390-gram weight, you’ll have an easy time carrying the tablet around if you spend most of your time on the move.
The HDMI port on the tablet allows you to connect it to your drone’s controller. With the right setting, you’ll be able to connect your FPV goggles and enjoy a one-of-a-kind FPV experience. Additionally, there’s a micro-SD card slot that can store up to 120GB of data.
You’ll have plenty of space to store all the aerial pictures and footage you record while flying the drone. With such an array of high-grade specifications, it goes without saying that the Nvidia Shield K1 will be a great choice for flying your DJI drone.
Apart from offering impressive DJI Go support, it is also compatible with FPV goggles on the majority of the latest drones. Just remember to get an adapter for mounting if you plan to use it with your DJI Mavic Pro!
The iPad Air is one half of the two iPad series tablets to be released by Apple in 2019, the other being iPad Mini. This amazing tablet comes with Apple’s fresh A12 Chip, which has more than enough capacity to run the DJI app.
Something to bear in mind is that Apple came out to admit to the public that they are slowing down their earlier devices to encourage consumers to buy their latest releases.
So, if you have any older Apple device that seems to be lagging, then this is probably the reason why. Anyway, the new Apple tablets are great for drone flyers and offer several high-quality features that you’ll appreciate.
The iPad Air features a huge 10.5-inch screen, despite being virtually the same size as previous models in the iPad series. This ensures that you get clear and wide view visuals when capturing various footages on your drone.
The tablet only weighs 456g, and can easily be carried around without becoming a burden.
It is equipped with the A12 Bionic processor that is efficient and powerful enough to handle virtually anything you throw its way.
The screen is big, sharp and dynamic while the battery can last you the whole day. You get to enjoy all these features in a device that may well be thinner than your smartphone. A new operating system ensures that you get the most out of the tablet screen.
The Galaxy Tab S2 is definitely one of the best tablets to have come out of Samsung, and especially for drone pilots looking for an enhanced experience. It is also a great choice if you own a DJI Mavic Pro drone.
It comes with a decently sized and high-grade display, with most of the screen space going directly to FPV image. You also get to view certain OSD information like RC controls and battery level on the screen.
The Galaxy S2 offers 2048 by 1536 screen resolution, which should ensure you enjoy crystal clear FPV footage with a great brightness/contrast ratio. As far as the performance goes, you can expect smooth results without any hiccups along the way.
The S2 is powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core processor and a 1.4GHz Octa-core processor. These two are supported by 3GB RAM. All these, combined with the super AMOLED display makes this tablet quite a popular choice.
However, you should keep in mind that the S2 Tab comes with a fair share of lag between on-screen footage and your drone’s current position, which is a common occurrence in most tablets you can find. But not to worry, you get acclimated to it with time.
iPad Mini 4
The iPad Mini is another Apple tablet that you can pair with your DJI quadcopter. It has a large 7.9-inch screen for clearer visuals when you are flying your drone.
Weighing almost 300g, it is lighter than Apple’s larger tablets and more comfortable to carry around while flying.
The screen is sharp, rich, and quite visible even under bright sunlight conditions. Its 2GB RAM is powerful and the aging, although still impressive A8 chip will serve you diligently.
The Mini 4 also features a 256GB storage, allowing you to save hundreds of files from all sorts of aerial footage you capture on your phone.
You’ll also like that it comes at only a fraction of the price you pay for Apple devices in the Pro range.
No products found.
The Crystal Sky is an official DJI product that you can also use to conveniently fly your DJI drone. Some would argue that it is a better choice than other phones and tablets as far as flexibility and choice are concerned.
The Crystal Sky is available in the three categories which are designed for beginners, mid-level pilots, as well as professionals. The beginner class comes with a 5.5-inch screen and offers a maximum screen brightness of 1000nits. It also has a 32GB in-built hard disk drive for all your file storage needs.
The mid-class features a 7.85-inch screen with a maximum brightness of 1000nits.
A 64GB hard disk drive ensures that you can store all the files you need to.
Finally, the pro-class comes with a 7.78-inch screen that offers a best in test maximum brightness 2000nits!
You’ll also be impressed with the 124GB in-built hard disk drive.
The choice variety makes the Crystal Sky a popular option for all levels of drone pilots. However, mid-class Crystal Sky has proven to be the most popular choice among flyers, so we are going to focus on it.
The Crustal Sky has been engineered to favor drone pilots. The screen can perform extremely well under sunlight conditions with minimal glare. It is almost 4 times brighter than the iPad Pro and almost 5 times brighter than the iPad mini.
The tablet measures 8.1 by 5.7 by 0.6 inches, which should comfortably fit into your hold. Its 425-gram weight also ensures that you won’t get easily fatigued when flying drone.
The Crystal Sky is constructed with industrial-grade plastic to enhance its durability. It also uses IPS screen technology which makes the screen realistically colored while keeping it from heating up easily.
But before you start using the DJI Crystal Sky to fly your drone, you’ll need a holder for the tablet separately. This is a small price to pay for anyone looking to make the most of their drone flying experience.
iPad Pro
Our last choice on the list of best DJI Go 4 compatible devices is the iPad Pro but it is by no means the least.
This tablet is available in two different options, WiFi only and WiFi and Cellular. The storage capacity ranges from a whopping 32GB to 256GB.
It has a 9.7-inch retina screen with a resolution of 2056 by 1536 pixels, which provides a high-quality and vibrant visual that would be perfect for drone flying.
The iPad Pro measures 6.6 by 9.4 by 0.24 inches, and weighs only 435g, allowing you to remain comfortable during the whole flying experience.
This tablet runs on an M9 coprocessor, Apple’s most advanced processing unit and is powered by an A9X chip to provide you with great quality.
It has a battery life of around 10 hrs, which is just enough to enjoy your drone piloting.
Smartphones Compatible with DJI GO 4
If you want a convenient alternative to a tablet when flying your DJI drone, you can always use your smartphone. The following are some DJI Go compatible phones that you can choose from:
Apple Phones
- iPhone 11
- iPhone X 2017
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone XS Max
Android Phones
- Google Pixel 2016
- Huawei Ascend Mate 7 2014
- Huawei P Smart 2019
- LG G2
- Nokia 6.1 2018
- Samsung Galaxy S8 2017
DJI GO 4 Compatible Devices - Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Consider When Shopping for a DJI GO Compatible Device?
Before you decide to invest in a tablet or smartphone to fly your DJI drone, there as various issues that should be taken into account to ensure that you don’t end up with a raw deal. These will include:
DJI GO 4 System Requirements
There are two crucial things you need to note about the App’s running environment. The first one is that DJI GO iOS v4.3.20 requires IOS 10.0.0 or later whereas DJI GO 4 Android V4.3.20 requires Android 5.0 or later. This is saying that any device that won’t run on the mentioned systems smoothly is a no-go zone.
Price
Unless you are trying to acquire a new phone or tablet, it wouldn’t be wise to buy a device that will cost more than your DJI Mavic Mini or Spark for the sole purpose of flying the drone. Always consider something that you’ll be comfortable spending on.
Release Date
There are numerous models you can choose that are DJI GO 4 compatible that were released as early as 5 years ago. You might realize that the older models come cheap, but you'll also see that they are either not available or can only be found in renewed versions. Furthermore, they may not even be able to keep up with the latest Android/IOS systems. I suggest going for devices that were released in the recent years.
Android or IOS?
It’s no secret that IOS compatibility is greater than Android when it comes to the DJI GO 4 App. I recommend getting an IOS device, unless you already own an Android phone/tablet or have good reason not to want to use an Apple device. You’ll have a better experience with IOS than with Android when flying your DJI drone.
Screen Brightness
Brightness is an essential aspect that you should always consider when choosing a device to fly your drone with. Generally, a good share of your flying will happen outside, and this means that you need a brighter screen to make things visible to you.
Note that if you have to fly your quadcopter under direct sunlight, you won’t be able to see anything even if you adjust your brightness settings to maximum. This is unless you are using the DJI CrystalSky tablet. Otherwise, the solution would be to improvise a sunshade that can be affixed to the remote controller.
WiFi-only or Cellular Tablet
This decision may call your financial position into question. If you are operating on a tight budget, it would be better to opt for a cellular device, and there is good reason for this.
You may not be in a position to utilize your Spark’s or Mavic’s Follow Me mode, intelligent flight modes, or even set home point to your current location since these functions require GPS, which is not found in most WiFi-only devices.
Additionally, your maps may not be able to function without internet access. If you are traveling outdoors, you may be required to cache the map area earlier in advance; although this may not be your biggest problem.
A good solution for WiFi-only tablets would be to attach any Bluetooth GPS and connect it to your phone’s hotspot or any other device that can access the internet.
Conclusion
It would be impossible to consider the whole list of DJI GO 4 compatible devices because the options are virtually endless. This should tell you that there are more devices out there that we haven’t been able to test.
However, the above tablet and smartphone models should give you a great head start towards finding the perfect DJI compatible device to pair with your DJI drone.
Last update on 2024-10-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API This article contains affiliate links which for which the owner of the site may receive a commision.
