DJI Smart Controller - remote control with integrated display

The DJI Smart Controller is the logical further development of the DJI CrystalSky monitors, which can be used instead of a smartphone or tablet for flight monitoring and live image retrieval. Because as nice as it is that you can control your drone with your smartphone: You don't really want to keep fiddling with the charging cable, smartphone cover (too thick for the remote control holder) and the smartphone's battery level. For that reason alone, I find the new drone remote control from the market leader to be recommended. I have more details for you in the following paragraphs.

The DJI Smart Controller from different perspectives. Display, antennas, microphone, loudspeakers and controls make it an all-rounder for drone flights!

DJI Smart Controller / Smart Remote Control

The Smart Controller is also on the German market DJI smart remote control called. This is among other things with the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom Compatible, as well as with other DJI drones that have OcuSync 2.0. With the one intended for professional users DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise you can also use the new Smart Controller. The 5,5 inch display with 1080p live video display should deliver a bright and easy-to-read image even "under difficult conditions". This is what it says in the product description of the drone manufacturer's smart remote control that you buy here in the official shop can. The price is 649 euros.

The DJI Smart remote control with the DJI Mavic 2 camera drone.

Technical data at a glance

• Manufacturer: DJI
• Model: Smart remote control
• Display diagonal: 5,5 inches
• Video transmission: 1080p FHD
• Display brightness: 1.000 cd / m² 
• Radio connection: OcuSync 2.0 with dual-band WLAN (2,400 - 2,483 GHz; 5,725 - 5,850 GHz)
• Bluetooth 4.2 over 2,400-2,4835 GHz
• Functions: control drone; Monitor real-time recording; Record, save and share videos; Streaming video to social networks; Playback of videos (H.264 and H.265)
• Video resolution: 4K UHD at 60 fps
• HDMI output: yes
• Loudspeaker and microphone: yes
• Internal memory: 16 GB
• Memory expansion: microSD card with up to 128 GB (write / read speed of up to UHS-I speed class 3) 
• Battery: 5.000 mAh; 7,2V
• Battery life: up to 2,5 hours continuously
• Operating temperature: -20 ° C to 40 ° C

Receive, save, edit and play videos - all with one device and even via HDMI on larger displays.

A customized Android device

The DJI Smart remote control is an Android device adapted for drone flights and recordings with the corresponding operating system. In addition, not only the Android system was specially modified, but also the DJI GO 4 app installed on it. There are also apps for playing and editing the videos made directly on the device. But social media and browsers such as Google Chrome can also be used on it. Third-party apps can also be installed. However, DJI notes the following in the product description:

DJI is not responsible for any damage, violation of authority or security risks arising from the use of third-party apps. If an installed third-party app prevents you from optimally using the smart remote control, we recommend that you uninstall the third-party apps or reset the smart remote control to the factory settings

More articles worth reading on the blog:

• High tripod as an alternative to photography with a drone
• Less cable clutter thanks to the cable box
• DJI Mavic Air no longer saves DNG frames for the panorama

DJI Smart remote control as a permanent accessory?

The price of the DJI remote control is already hard at 649 euros. After all, that's half the price of the drone itself. I would like DJI to add this smart controller to the drone in the future and sell the remote control for the smartphone as an optional accessory. The production figures would also increase and the price would decrease accordingly. What do you think of the DJI Smart Controller? Is the price justified and you want it right away buy a copy? Or do you wait until the price drops and you can buy the display remote control cheaper? Feel free to leave a comment on the topic;)

Jens Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.