Is there any reason why you need good smartphones for drone control and videography? Oh yes, there are so many reasons and I will prove to you soon.
This is to prepare your mind for that drone business you are about to start or maybe it’s just for fun as a hobby, but whatever the case is I am here to guide you.
Modern operations of drones are controlled through a Smartphone.
They connect with the drones and provide controls, telemetry data, and live video streams through the use of unique apps such as DJI Go 4 or Litchi.
Aside from just flying they are needed to shoot and edit videos on the go using programs such as iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush.
I have to emphasize how important it is to get a phone with a powerful processor, a bright display, and a rather long battery life.
For videography, you will need a phone with a great camera to assist in functions such as 4K recording, HDR, or even stabilization to make videos that seem to have been shot in a theater.
If you are serious about flying drones and capturing breathtaking footage, you require a phone that offers performance, features, and reliability.
Here are our top five drone-compatible smartphones for you below.
Top 5 Smartphones for Drone Control and Videography in 2024
1. iPhone 14 Pro Max
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is a smartphone drone controller.
Its innovative features and technology have completely changed mobile shooting.
This phone is an excellent everyday driver, but it’s also an important tool for videographers and drone pilots.
If you are looking for phones for aerial videography then consider going for this one.
Key Features/Specifications:
1. The phone Super Retina XDR Display:
The iPhone 14 Pro Max also ensures clear vision even during the day with a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits for normal content and 2,000 nits when outdoors.
This is revolutionary when it comes to flying in the outside environment in the evening or even at night.
2. It has an A16 Bionic Chip:
This strong CPU ensures smooth app performance, especially when working with popular drone software such as DJI Fly or DJI Go 4 while providing the optimal end-user experience.
3. Comes with a 5G Connectivity:
With the help of 5G, the maps load incredibly quickly, and video streams from drones are always online in real time.
Videography Advantage:
1. It carries a 48 MP Main Camera: The 48 MP camera of the iPhone 14 Pro Max is designed to shoot photos in ProRAW, which enhances the post-shooting flexibility.
2. It comes with a Cinematic Mode: It gives an advanced level of control over depth of field to make your drone shots look more cinematic with 4K HDR video at 24 fps.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max strikes the perfect mix of power, performance, and a top-notch camera experience if you’re serious about drone videography.
2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
With the latest technology, Samsung’s top smartphone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, continues to rule the smartphone market and is an excellent choice for filmmakers and drone pilots.
Key Features/Specifications:
1. It has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display:
Depending on the model, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a brightness of up to 1,750 nits, so you can comfortably fly outside. It is very evident that changing settings and having live broadcasts will not be a problem for you even if the sun is shining bright.
2. It comprises of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ensures that drone applications run effectively, and it has a 5,000 mAh battery that allows it to sustain longer flights.
3. Has Integration with S Pen:
This recognition works well when editing drone footage; with the adjustable S Pen, you have more liberty to edit your content while on the move.
Videography Advantage:
1. It has a 200 MP Camera: The Galaxy S23 Ultra has an amazing 200 MP camera that captures incredibly clear and detailed aerial footage.
2. It has 8K Video Recording Potential: Your drone footage will appear as crisp and detailed as possible when you record in 8K at 30 frames per second. When combined with Super Steady stabilization, windy circumstances won’t affect the smoothness of your recordings.
For those who love Android smartphones and require high-end video quality, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is an excellent choice for controlling drones and taking videos.
3. Google Pixel 7 Pro
Have you heard of the Google Pixel 7 Pro? I guess maybe you have or maybe not.
If you are among those set of people who enjoy flying drones and recording videos then the Pixel 7 Pro is a perfect choice for you because Google has released smartphones that feature better camera, user interface, and performance as compared to most Android phones.
Key Features/Specifications:
1. It has an OLED Display:
Due to the device’s 1,500 nits of peak brightness, drone pilots need the Pixel 7 Pro to help them see in bright conditions.
2. It has a Tensor G2 Chip:
Whether flying cost-effective drones or recoloring 4K videos, this specially designed CPU ensures no lag.
3. Comes with a Reliable Battery Life:
The Pixel 7 Pro comes with a large battery that can be used to power the smartphone while editing videos and during flights.
Videography Advantage:
1. Main Camera is 50 MP: It is essential to note that the Pixel 7 Pro performs exceptionally well in low light videography, and the credit goes to Google’s HDR+ technology for well-balanced shots even in twilight flights.
2. Has 4K Video Recording Ability: It also supports excellent picture handling and stabilization, and the Pixel 7 Pro can record in 4K quality at 60fps. This makes it ideal to use while on the road since it’s meant for editing aerial shots.
So, the Pixel 7 Pro is a reliable companion for drone enthusiasts who value ease of use, good image quality, and pure Android experience.
4. OnePlus 11
OnePlus 11., is another great option that is rather cheap, especially when it comes to price-to-performance ratio, and, at the same time, does not lack any essential features or capabilities.
It will be quite preferable to those drone operators who require a reliable tool but at the same time do not want to overspend.
Key Features/Specifications:
1. It has a Fluid AMOLED Display:
With A brightness of up to 1,300 Nit, this eliminates instances where one feels like they are straining to view when there is ample light.
However, it is not as bright as most of the other models of the high-end phones that are available in the market.
2. It is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
One disadvantage that the OnePlus 11 has over the Galaxy S23 Ultra is its powerful processor, which makes it responsive to graphical applications and flying drones.
3. Has a 5,000 mAh Battery:
One of the most important features of the OnePlus 11 is the battery capacity which is relatively big to enable users to use the phone without recharging in the middle of a journey or when recording a video.
Videography Advantage:
1. Possesses a 50 MP camera: The Hasselblad-tuned camera on the OnePlus 11 is perfect for capturing aerial movies with bright and vivid colors and impressive contrast.
2. 8K Video Recording: Both OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have 8K video recording which allows you to shoot high-quality drone videos.
If you are on a budget and seek for a fantastic all-rounder the OnePlus 11 is a great choice for you.
5. iPad Mini (6th Gen)
The iPad Mini (6th Gen), although not a smartphone, is still worth mentioning for drone operators who want a bigger screen and the capability of iPadOS.
For anyone who prefers large screens over the bulk of a full-sized tablet, this is perfect.
Key Features/Specifications:
1. It has a Liquid Retina Display:
While the 8. 0 LED-backlit display is not as vivid as in other smartphones, it offers good brightness. The 3-inch display with a brightness of 500 nits provides a larger and clearer display to control drones.
2. Comes with an A15 Bionic Chip:
The A15 Bionic Chip is an application processor that allows high-graphics drone apps on the iPad Mini and ensures it can handle flight controls and camera streams without a hitch.
3. It has a Long Battery Lifespan:
Due to its long battery life, the iPad Mini is great for long flights.
Videography Advantage:
1. Has a 12 MP Ultra Wide Front Camera: This camera is great for filming yourself while in the air because of its Centre Stage feature, which keeps you in focus even when you move.
2. It has iPadOS Support: The iPad Mini is an excellent option for on-location video editing due to the extensive selection of editing tools available on iPadOS, such as LumaFusion and Adobe Premiere Rush.
For those who would rather operate a drone using a tablet, the iPad Mini (6th Gen) provides the ideal ratio of portability, power, and size.
Conclusion
Your budget and personal tastes will determine which smartphone is ideal for piloting drones and taking videos.
This is just a fact! Both the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max are powerful devices with outstanding camera quality and dazzling screens.
While the OnePlus 11 offers an affordable Android substitute with excellent performance, the Google Pixel 7 Pro offers a more feature-rich alternative without sacrificing too much on price.
The iPad Mini (6th Gen) strikes a great mix between size, performance, and utility for people who want a bigger screen.
Whichever smartphone you decide to go for, it will improve your drone flying experience and make it easier for you to take beautiful aerial movies.
I’m Edidiong Ekpo, an experienced SEO content writer who writes well-researched articles to educate the public on various niches across the web.