Hello,
I just got my new Mavic Air but I need also a new phone to connect it with (my Galaxy S3 is very old now and Android 4.3 is not supported).
So I looked the Internet for something around 300-400€ and iPhone 6s Plus or Galaxy S7 are my short list.
Which one would you recommend?

If both are equally good to run DJI Go then I would buy the Galaxy (I'm used to Android a long time now).

But I have heard a lot of negatives about DJI Go and Android. Are the problems e.g. disconnecting, high loading current (1400mA on Android vs 750mA on iOS) still true?

Thank you very much for your help!

Lately it would have been said that iOS is working well with dji drones, if you can pick up a iPad mini 4 second hand, dedicate it to your drone, and you will almost certainly have very few problems.

I have seen the Air working with an iPhone 5, and I use an Android phone (LG G3). I would recommend the iPhone. DJI Go feels more reactive and stable. If you have the money.

Hello there! I highly recommend you to use mobile devices that are listed below. They are all the compatible devices that you can use to connect it to your Mavic Air. If you have other concern, please let us know. Thank you.

DJI Natalia Posted at 2018-7-14 14:42
Hello there! I highly recommend you to use mobile devices that are listed below. They are all the compatible devices that you can use to connect it to your Mavic Air. If you have other concern, please let us know. Thank you.

[view_image]

Samsung Note 8 is not mentioned, what is your recommendation on Note 8

MoNoAd Posted at 2018-7-14 14:51
Samsung Note 8 is not mentioned, what is your recommendation on Note 8

As of the moment, we still don't have any update regarding on the capability of the Samsung Note 8 for the Mavic Air. No worries, I'll make sure to address this inquiry to our DJI engineer for further development of the product. Thanks.

Thank you for the recommendations. A very important point for me is the chapter in the manual where it's said:

Current / Voltage (Controller)
1400mAh / 3.7V (Android)
750mAh /3.7V (iOS)

That means basically that when using an Android device the controller runs out of battery much faster.

Is that still true or have updates resolved this issue?

Thanks.

I have no problems with my Pixel XL running beta 3 Android P. I've had very few problems with my Google phones Nexus 6 and Pixel XL using any current OS.

This is the updated and official list from DJI.  Very helpful!!

https://www.phantomhelp.com/Tips/18/best-tabletsphones-for-dji-go

@laduke if you would like to stick to Android, I would recommend getting the S7.  and then I would load the version 4.2.14 of DJI Go4.    Some folks have complained about errors in some of the later versions, but i've been on 4.2.14 since it's release and it has been stable for me.  just my $.02

Huawei mate 10 pro .. Highly recommended. 6 inches Oled screen,Kirin 970 and 6 GB RAM .
Maybe you can get some deal tomorrow on Amazon Prime Day!

xiao mi 3 or 5 very cheap and good

I have a question about the iPad mini 4 which was suggested in a post above:
The "normal" version of the pad does not have GPS. Can I still use the funktion "return to home" then? Also is the map displayed properly in DJI go and the positioning system in the left bottom corner?
Thanks.

laduke Posted at 2018-7-15 06:03
I have a question about the iPad mini 4 which was suggested in a post above:
The "normal" version of the pad does not have GPS. Can I still use the funktion "return to home" then? Also is the map displayed properly in DJI go and the positioning system in the left bottom corner?
Thanks.

I'd suggest the cellular version with GPS, I like the comfort of mind being able to reset your homepoint to your remote. (you could connect your phone to the ipad, but that's a workaround which would need yet another connection you could do without)

laduke Posted at 2018-7-15 06:03
I have a question about the iPad mini 4 which was suggested in a post above:
The "normal" version of the pad does not have GPS. Can I still use the funktion "return to home" then? Also is the map displayed properly in DJI go and the positioning system in the left bottom corner?
Thanks.

Using iPad mini, won’t effect your aircraft in any way, you don’t need WiFi or cellular, as losBol said if you think you need it, just connect tohotspot from your phone.

I use an iPhone 7 plus - generally no issues

If you stretch yourself, iPhone 7 or at least iPhone 6 Plus as that has more Ram.

hallmark007 Posted at 2018-7-15 06:17
Using iPad mini, won’t effect your aircraft in any way, you don’t need WiFi or cellular, as losBol said if you think you need it, just connect tohotspot from your phone.

so if it was just an ipad mini, the only thing you would not be able to do is amend your RTH? It would just be set from its take off point? Which is no problem for myself if this is the case as I am unlikely to be moving too far if at all from that spot. Just wondering as to whether it is a good idea to get a separate controller for this, and seem s ipad mini 4 could be the easiest (less potential issues?) option.

samgawthorpdji Posted at 2018-7-17 00:37
so if it was just an ipad mini, the only thing you would not be able to do is amend your RTH? It would just be set from its take off point? Which is no problem for myself if this is the case as I am unlikely to be moving too far if at all from that spot. Just wondering as to whether it is a good idea to get a separate controller for this, and seem s ipad mini 4 could be the easiest (less potential issues?) option.

Yes that’s about it , you don’t need separate controller, there are many simple mounts out there that you can fit to your controller to take a mini , it also fits into controller without the use of any mount.

samgawthorpdji Posted at 2018-7-17 00:37
so if it was just an ipad mini, the only thing you would not be able to do is amend your RTH? It would just be set from its take off point? Which is no problem for myself if this is the case as I am unlikely to be moving too far if at all from that spot. Just wondering as to whether it is a good idea to get a separate controller for this, and seem s ipad mini 4 could be the easiest (less potential issues?) option.

Hi Sam,

Any device without a GPS module will work but the little compass (very important feature) does not work! (and indeed not possible to update HP to the device location)

A Ipad mini4 without celluar does not have a GPS module (see the ipad website for data)

see pic (sorry in dutch)

cheers
JJB

samgawthorpdji Posted at 2018-7-17 00:37
so if it was just an ipad mini, the only thing you would not be able to do is amend your RTH? It would just be set from its take off point? Which is no problem for myself if this is the case as I am unlikely to be moving too far if at all from that spot. Just wondering as to whether it is a good idea to get a separate controller for this, and seem s ipad mini 4 could be the easiest (less potential issues?) option.

Your compass arrow will work fine without cellular, the only thing you may not have is map data, I believe I’ve used this once since I started flying, but you can download and cache maps. But both your map compass and radar compass does not need cellular to work, I have been flying for many years without cellular and still do using Crystalsky and everything works fine, also use iPad Pro no cellular and can comfortably fly using radar.

Does it not need a sim card for the cellular part to operate tho?

You need a sim card to use mobile internet for sure. But is the GPS usable (active) without one?

rolling56 Posted at 2018-7-14 15:24
I have no problems with my Pixel XL running beta 3 Android P. I've had very few problems with my Google phones Nexus 6 and Pixel XL using any current OS.

I agree, no issues with my MA using GEN 1 Pixel XL

laduke Posted at 2018-7-17 04:05
You need a sim card to use mobile internet for sure. But is the GPS usable (active) without one?

Yess, you can use the GPS without the sim card or active cell service.

So a refurbed or seconds mini 4 would be suitable. Obviously one with no damage to the screen and with cellular. Would a 16gb one suffice if its just used for the MA? Can up the storage with a seperate sd if needed?

Check out FreedomPop.com for inexpensive older phones.  It's nice to also have a phone that works and costs nothing month-to-month.  Just downgrade to the free plan before your first month's trial is over.  You get 200 minutes, 200 texts, and 500mb of data all for nothing.  Just remember to make a call from the phone every three weeks or the account will go inactive and you have to call to re-instate it (at no cost).  With prepaid phones you have to add 'n' minutes a month or it stops.  The FreedomPop free plans are just that; free!

DJI products work best with apple products. The two companies have joint ventures together

I use my Android Galaxy 8+  

Does anyone fly mavic air with xiaomi MA1 or MA2???

Hi. Have in mind that most smartphones these days working ok with go4. Make your decision on which type of  software you like to run on. IOS generally is mostly trouble free. Android on the other hand is very good but keep away from android 7 (Nugat) and in XIAOMI devices avoid staying in MIUI9 which has many reports of unconsistency with go4.
Second think, is the budget you have in mind to invest in a smartphone. For high one a good choice is Samsung S8. For low budget Xiaomi redmi 5plus or redmi note 5 are great devices. Remember to upgrade to OREO and MIUI10 (this is going to get automaticaly as soon as you log in internet).
I am using XIAOMI redmi 5 plus with OREO and Miui10 rooted with MAGISK and go4 works without no issues at all.
Have nice flights.

Nokia 130 is the best.