Are you looking for the best phone for drone flying?
Whether you’re a professional pilot or a hobbyist just getting started, having a suitable device can make all the difference.
This blog post will explore some features that help determine which android phones are best for controlling drones.
We will also discuss several specific models on today’s market that offer unbeatable performance and user experience for those airborne adventures.
Read on to find out more about finding the perfect phone companion for you flight plan your next aerial adventure.
What phone can you use with a drone?
Virtually all modern smartphones can control drones, with compatibility often depending on the specific drone model and its associated app.
However, certain features make some best phones more suitable than best phones for drone flying.
These include a strong processor for smooth performance, a large and clear display for optimal viewing, good battery life to last your entire flying session, and robust connectivity options, including WiFi and 4G/5G.
If you’re an Apple user, the latest iPhones, such as the iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max, should provide an excellent platform for drone flying.
For Android users, high-end options like phones with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or tablets with the Google Pixel 7 Pro are solid choices.
Remember, the key is to ensure that your phone is compatible with your drone’s app, as this will ensure you have complete control and access to all features.
1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is a powerhouse device engineered for a seamless drone flying experience.
The smartphone is equipped with Apple’s A16 Bionic chip, which enables lightning-fast processing speeds and ensures a hitch-free performance while controlling your drone.
The standout feature is the vibrant, 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology.
The incredible resolution and refresh rate provide an ultra-smooth, crisp view of your drone’s camera feed, helping you navigate with precision.
Battery life is another strength of the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Its robust battery can easily support prolonged drone flying sessions, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy extended periods in the sky.
Connectivity-wise, the device supports Wi-Fi 6 and has 5G capabilities, ensuring you have the fastest and most stable connection at all times.
Furthermore, the compatibility of the iPhone 14 Pro Max with various drone devices and applications boosts its suitability for drone and flying drones.
Drone manufacturers widely support the iOS platform so that you can expect a smooth, integrated experience.
Some Apple user prefer using the iPad air or iPad mini while flying drones, but the Apple iPhone 13 pro max is also capable.
In conclusion, the iPhone 14 Pro Max combines superior processing performance, an exquisite display, long battery life, and robust connectivity to offer an unrivaled drone flying experience.
Its compatibility with numerous drone apps further cements it as a top choice for hobbyists and professional drone pilots.
2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a formidable mobile device for both gaming and drone flying.
It houses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which provides a lag-free performance no matter how complex your aerial maneuvers are.
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display vividly represents your drone’s feed and lets you view every detail.
Battery life is also impressive, with a robust 5000 mAh battery supporting long drone sessions.
The device supports Wi-Fi 6 and 5G connectivity options, allowing you more space to stay connected in poor reception areas.
On the software side, many of today’s most popular drone applications are optimized for the Android platform, making it an ideal choice for drone pilots.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra also has a large storage capacity, allowing you to store high-resolution aerial footage and images without worrying about running out of space.
In conclusion, the powerful processor, strong battery life, robust connectivity options, and versatile software make the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra an excellent choice for drone pilots.
Mobile games run smoothly on the phone, and you won’t have any problem playing games.
Its large display and storage capacity further enhance its suitability as a flying companion.
3. Google Pixel 7 Pro
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is another top-tier contender in drone flying.
Powered by Google’s custom Tensor processor, this phone guarantees a seamless, lag-free performance, ensuring that your drone maneuvers are swift and responsive.
The 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display boasts a high-resolution, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, giving the controller an accurate view of your drone’s feed.
The phone also has a solid battery life, thanks to its 5000mAh battery, meaning you can indulge in prolonged flying sessions without worries.
Connectivity isn’t an issue either – the Pixel 7 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 and 5G and even has the bonus of Google’s own secure Titan M chip for added security.
A significant advantage of the Pixel 7 Pro is its pure Android experience, often preferred by many drone applications for its direct, unfiltered access to the operating system.
This means you’ll likely get the best performance from your drone’s app on this specific device too.
In addition, the Pixel 7 Pro offers ample storage options, meaning you can store a significant amount of high-quality drone footage without running low on space.
In conclusion, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is a powerful, reliable device for drone flying, thanks to its high-performance processor, incredible display, impressive battery life, robust connectivity, and pure Android experience.
Its generous storage options make it a practical choice, too.
4. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, a predecessor to the iPhone 14 Pro Max smartphone, is still a formidable device for drone flying.
It runs on the A15 Bionic chip that powers smooth and responsive controls for your drone.
The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, with ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate), will show you super clear drone footage no matter how you fly or maneuver the camera.
You can enjoy detailed visualization of your drone controller’s perspective, contributing to a more accurate and immersive piloting experience.
Although earlier in its series, the iPhone 13 Pro Max still exhibits reliable battery life, capable of supporting lengthy drone flying sessions.
It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and 5G networks, ensuring you always have a strong connection.
Compatibility-wise, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is compatible with various drone applications, allowing you to take advantage of their features without any hindrance.
Its large storage capacity allows for generous amounts of footage and images from your aerial adventures, meaning you don’t have to worry about running out of space.
In conclusion, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is an excellent choice for drone flying, combining reliable performance with a stunning display and long-lasting battery life.
Its compatibility with various drone applications and large storage capacity makes it suitable for hobbyists and professional drone pilots.
5. Google Pixel 6A
The Google Pixel 6A is a budget-oriented device that still holds its own in the drone flying arena.
Powered by Google’s Tensor SoC, the device, screen, and controller offer smooth and lag-free performance, ensuring swift and responsive drone controls.
Its 6.4-inch OLED display, while smaller than its Pro counterpart, still offers a clear and detailed view of your drone’s feed.
Battery life on the Pixel 6A is also noteworthy, with a 4614mAh battery that can hold up for extensive drone flying sessions.
The device supports Wi-Fi 6 and 5G networks, allowing reliable connectivity even in areas with poor reception.
One of the main advantages of the Pixel 6A is its software experience.
Like its Pro version, it offers a pure Android experience, often favored by many drone applications due to its unfiltered access to the operating system.
This means you can expect optimal performance from your drone apps on this device.
Despite being a budget device, the Pixel 6A does not compromise on storage, offering sufficient space for you to store your high-quality drone footage.
In conclusion, the Google Pixel 6A, with its commendable performance, good display, impressive battery life, solid connectivity, and pure Android experience, is a good choice for drone flying, especially for those on a budget.
Its ample storage also makes it a practical option for drone enthusiasts.
5. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stands as a formidable challenger in drone flying.
Equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 processor (depending on the region), the S22 Ultra ensures a robust performance that facilitates responsive and precise drone controls.
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and a pixel density of 500ppi, offering a super-crisp, vibrant, and immersive view of your drone’s feed, enhancing your drone piloting experience.
The S22 Ultra also excels in terms of battery life. With the power from its 5000mAh battery, it can support extended drone flying and gaming sessions without compromising performance.
Regarding connectivity, the S22 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6E and 5G, assuring excellent and consistent connection strength, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Shifting the focus to the software, the S22 Ultra runs on Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 on top, which ensures a smooth and intuitive user experience.
While the device lacks a pure Android experience, Samsung’s approach to Android is equally efficient and the tablet is compatible with most drone the smartphones and tablet applications.
Regarding storage, the S22 Ultra offers an impressive up to 1TB of internal storage, which is a boon for drone enthusiasts as it allows for storing high-resolution drone footage without worrying about running out of space.
On the downside, the S22 Ultra is one of the most expensive options on the market and lacks a MicroSD card slot.
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a top-tier choice for drone flying, offering superior performance, an outstanding display, long battery life, robust connectivity, and a vast storage capacity.
7. OnePlus 10 Pro
The OnePlus 10 Pro is another impressive contender in the drone flying field.
It boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, providing a seamless and responsive drone flying experience.
The device features a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a crystal clear view of your drone’s video feed.
The device’s battery life is also commendable, with its 5000mAh battery capable of sustaining extended drone flying sessions.
Regarding connectivity, the OnePlus 10 Pro supports both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G networks, ensuring reliable connections even in remote flying locations.
The OnePlus 10 Pro runs on OxygenOS based on Android 12, providing a clean and power efficient software experience compatible with many other cameras and drone applications.
The device offers up to 256GB of internal storage for high-quality drone footage.
However, similar to some of its high-end competitors, the OnePlus 10 Pro has a relatively high price point and lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
In conclusion, the OnePlus 10 Pro is an excellent choice for drone flying thanks to its powerful performance, excellent display, long-lasting battery life, robust connectivity, and ample storage.
Its software experience also makes it a desirable option for drone enthusiasts.
Can you fly a DJI drone with an Android phone?
Yes, you can fly a DJI drone with a remote controller on an Android phone.
DJI provides a dedicated app called the DJI GO app (for drones older than the Mavic Air 2) for mobile devices or the DJI Fly app (for the Mavic Air 2 and newer drones), which is compatible with Android devices.
You must install the app on your android device or smartphone, connect your phone to the drone or remote controller, and be ready.
It allows you to control the drone and provides a live video feed from the drone’s camera, access to advanced features, and flight data.
However, it’s essential to check the specific compatibility of your Android device with the DJI drone model in question, as some older models may not support all features.
Conclusion – best phone for drone flying
When choosing the best phone to pair with your drone, several factors come into play, such as performance, display quality, battery life, connectivity, and storage.
All the phones discussed—Google Pixel 6A, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, and OnePlus 10 Pro—have unique strengths and weaknesses, each offering a commendable drone flying experience.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stands out for its superior performance, stunning display, three cameras, and vast storage, but its high price might deter some.
The phone runs DJI apps using radio signals to control the drone and possibly prevent crashes.
The Google Pixel 6A provides a reliable, budget-friendly option without compromising the essential features required for drone flying.
The OnePlus 10 Pro is another remarkable choice, with a powerful performance, excellent display, and ample storage.
However, it also carries a higher price tag.
Therefore, the best phone for flying a drone depends on personal preference, screen amount, budget, and specific requirements.
Always ensure your chosen phone is compatible with your drone and the necessary apps for a smooth, enjoyable drone piloting experience.