Apple v Android - Tablet & Phone specs for DJI Go compared

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Whenever we complain about our tablets not working with DJI Go, including but not limited to video freeze or crash when we switch from passive FPV to video FPV (actually using the slider to turn on video view, or setting FPV in the settings) the standard answer we get from DJI staff is that our tablets don't have enough processing power and we should use -

iOS Version v2.4.2. Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, and iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular. This app is optimized for iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus.
Android Version v2.4.3. Requires Android 4.1.2 or later. Compatible with Samsung tabs 705c, Samsung S6, Samsung S5, Samsung NOTE4, Samsung NOTE3, Google Nexus 9, Google Nexus 7 II, Ascend Mate7, Huawei P8 Max, Nubia Z7 mini, Sony Xperia Z3, MI 3, MI PAD, Smartisan T1.
*Support for additional Android devices available as testing and development continues.

So lets just take a look at that list.

First off, I suspect it is more than just processing power that is the issue - iPads have some of the weakest CPU's in the list and use RAM shared from the storage capacity (Apple do not publish info on how much RAM is dedicated to system operation), so something else must be in play here ... personally I suspect it might be that iPads and iPhones have what Apple call a "motion processor" in addition to the core CPU. However Android tablets also have a GPU as well as the CPU and that might be the equivalent of Apple's motion processor. I also suspect screen pixel dimensions have some influence on the ability to run DJI Go as well, and a lot of cheaper android devices have fairly low screen resolution (800 pixels high is not uncommon, but that is still more than some of the iPhones).

Secondly, Apple do not offer USB or Mini-USB on their hardware - they offer a "Lightning" port (which is essentially Mini-USB) but might be USB 3.0 instead of the more common USB 2.0 on Android devices ... does anyone have any firm info on this? If this is true, the higher transfer rate between the drone R/C & Lightbridge might require USB 3.0 to stream at an "operational" rate to the phone or tablet, therefore a USB 2.0 device might not be able to cope unless it has heaps of "transfer RAM" ... such as in the 3GB RAM Android devices.

Raw specs for the Approved devices are as follows (a list for other popular choices is below that) -

iOS Version v2.4.2. Requires iOS 8.0 or later.

iPhone 5s ... CPU(s) - Apple A7 1300 MHz (2 cores) 64 bit + M7 motion co-pro, Screen - 1136-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi, Video recording - 1080p HD video recording
at 30 fps
iPhone 6 ... CPU(s) - Apple A9 1849 MHz (2 cores) 64 bit + M9 motion co-pro, Screen - 1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi, Video recording - 1080p HD video recording
at 30 fps or 60 fps
iPhone 6 Plus ... CPU(s) - Apple A9 1849 MHz (2 cores) 64 bit + M9 motion co-pro, Screen - 1920-by-1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi, Video recording - 1080p HD video recording
at 30 fps or 60 fps

iPad Air & iPad Air Wi-Fi + Cellular ... CPU(s) - Apple A7 1400 MHz (2 cores) 64 bit + M7 motion co-pro, Screen - 2048‑by‑1536 resolution at 264 ppi, Video recording - 1080p HD video recording
iPad mini 2 & iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular ... CPU(s) - Apple A7 1400 MHz (2 cores) 64 bit + M7 motion co-pro, Screen - 2048‑by‑1536 resolution at 326 ppi, Video recording - 1080p HD video recording
iPad Air 2 & iPad Air 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular ... CPU(s) - Apple A8X 1500 MHz (3 cores) 64 bit + M8 motion co-pro, Screen - 2048‑by‑1536 resolution at 264 ppi, Video recording - 1080p HD video recording
iPad mini 3 & iPad mini 3 Wi-Fi + Cellular ... CPU(s) - Apple A7 1300 MHz (2 cores) 64 bit + M7 motion co-pro, Screen - , Video recording -

Android Version v2.4.3. Requires Android 4.1.2 or later.

PHONES
Samsung S6 ... CPU(s) - 2xQuad-core (Octa-core) 2.1GHz & 1.5GHz, Screen - 2560 x 1440, Video recording - UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) @30fps, RAM 3GB ROM 32GB
Samsung S5 ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.5GHz, Screen - 1920 x 1080 (FHD), Video recording - UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) @30fps, RAM 2GB ROM 16GB or 32GB
Samsung Galaxy NOTE4 ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.7GHz, Screen - 2560 x 1440 (Quad HD), Video recording - UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) @30fps, RAM 3GB ROM 32GB
Samsung Galaxy NOTE3 ... CPU(s) - 2.3 GHz, Screen - 1920 x 1080 (FHD), Video recording - UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps, RAM 3GB ROM MicroSD
Huawei Ascend Mate7 ... CPU(s) -Hisilicon Kirin 925 4x1.8GHz + 4x1.3GHz + 1x230MH, Screen - 1080p (1920 x 1080), 368ppi, Video recording - 1080p, RAM 2GB ROM 16GB
Huawei P8 Max ... CPU(s) - Hisilicon Kirin 930, 8-core 64bit, 2.0GHz, Screen - 1080p (1920 x 1080), 424ppi, Video recording - 1080p, RAM 3GB ROM 16GB
Nubia Z7 mini ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.0 GHz, GPU - Adreno 330 Quad-core 578MHz, Screen - 1080 x 1920 pixels@445 ppi, Video recording - 1080p@30fps, RAM 2GB ROM 16GB
Sony Xperia Z3 ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.5 GHz, GPU - Adreno 330 Quad-core 578MHz, Screen - FHD 1080p (1920x1080), Video recording - 4K, RAM 3GB ROM 16GB
Smartisan T1 ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.5GHz, GPU - Adreno 330 Quad-core 578MHz, Screen - 1080x1920, Video recording - 4160x3120@30fps, RAM 2GB ROM 16GB

TABLETS
Samsung tabs 705c Correct designation = Samsung Galaxy Tab SM-T705C S TD-LTE or
Galaxy Tab S (8.4, 4G)) ... CPU(s) - 2xQuad-core (Octa-core) 1.9GHz & 1.3GHz, Screen - 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA), Video recording - WQHD (2560 x 1440) @30fps, RAM 3GB ROM 16GB
Google Nexus 9 ... CPU(s) - 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 Dual Denver @ 2.3 GHz, GPU - 192-core Kepler GPU, Screen - QXGA (2048x1536), Video recording - ?, RAM 2GB ROM 16GB or 32GB
Google Nexus 7 II ... no information found
Xiaomi MI 3, MI PAD ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.2-GHz, GPU - 192-core Kepler GPU, Screen - 2048x1536@326ppi, Video recording - 1080p (1920x1080) HD 30fps, RAM 2GB ROM 16GB

OTHER TABLETS (non-approved)
Samsung Galaxy Note (8.0, 4G) ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 1.6GHz, Screen - 1280 x 800, Video recording - Full HD (1080p)@30fps, RAM shared with storage ROM MicroSD
Galaxy TabPRO (8.4, Wi-Fi) ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.3GHz, Screen - 2560 X 1600 (WQXGA), Video recording - Full HD (1080p)@30fps, RAM shared with storage ROM MicroSD
Galaxy Tab S2 (8.0, 4G) ... CPU(s) - 2xQuad-core (Octa-core) 1.9GHz & 1.3GHz, Screen - 2048 x 1536 (QXGA), Video recording - QHD (2560 x 1440)@30fps, RAM 3GB ROM 32GB
NVidia Shield K1 (8.0, WiFi) ... CPU(s) - Quad-core 2.2GHz, GPU - NVIDIA® Tegra® K1 192 core Kepler 2.2 GHz Screen - HD 1920x1200, Video recording - 4K Ultra-HD Ready, RAM 2GB ROM 162GB ... DJI-Ken reports he has seen this tablet "working very well" with DJI Go


CONCLUSIONS
Both the Android phones and tablets have far more powerful processing hardware than their Apple equivalents. They also have far higher screen resolutions and video recording specs. Whilst the Apple devices are running on DUAL core one-point-something GHz processors, the Android devices (approved and non-approved) are running on QUAD or OCTA core two-point-something GHz processors. It therefore does not ring true when DJI support's copy and paste answer to all Android device problems seems to push Apple products.

In particular, I am baffled as to why the Samsung Galaxy S2 tablet is having problems running DJI Go when it's predecessor model (Galaxy Tab S), which is a lower specification, is listed in the approved list.

Personally, I think it is time for DJI to throw some resources at sorting this mess out and issuing a "minimum specifications" sheet rather than a list of approved devices.
 
All I know is I need a tablet/phone that can run both DJI go and litchi. And 2 of them have been imports from China not listed on any site and both work great. It's the umi iron and the ulefone power. All I know is if the device has over 2GB RAM And has at least 1.2GHZ it will run both apps fine. However my phones have 3GB and it runs them perfectly.

So for me, screw apple, screw nvidia shield. I'm not paying a lot of money for a brand name when I know I can pay £80 for a "10.1" screen tablet with 3GB RAM for £80.

Neon Euc
 
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All I know is I need a tablet/phone that can run both DJI go and litchi. And 2 of them have been imports from China not listed on any site and both work great. It's the umi iron and the ulefone power. All I know is if the device has over 2GB RAM And has at least 1.2GHZ it will run both apps fine. However my phones have 3GB and it runs them perfectly.

So for me, screw apple, screw nvidia shield. I'm not paying a lot of money for a brand name when I know I can pay £80 for a "10.1" screen tablet with 3GB RAM for £80.

Neon Euc

I have had no luck getting my Samsung Tab A to connect. So am looking to get a new tablet. I was interested in your assessment and have been looking on ebay. There seems to be quite a few with octo core processors, 2 or r4gb ram, etc. However it worries me that I could end up with a new piece of junk as the only reason I would get it is to use for the drone. Can you tell me more regarding your assesment please.
 
Yawn, not again, apple vs android
We all have a choice, i started android but moved to apple as i wanted to run an app that android couldnt. Never had a problem, now fully ios for my P4 ( still got an android cheap phone, as a phone)
This topic will always be repeated, all i can say is get the best you can afford, at some stage everyone will need to update as the apps get better and require more ram/cpu etc
Get something and enjoy it
 
Excuse me for mentioning this tiny item ... but quite a bit of the first post has nothing to do with working a P3S .... as it has no interest in USB at all ...

Nigel
 
Excuse me for mentioning this tiny item ... but quite a bit of the first post has nothing to do with working a P3S .... as it has no interest in USB at all ...

Nigel
And your point is? I re read the OP and can't see that however I am just a new owner with a p3A not standard, trying to enjoy the experience. Really appreciate your not so helpful comment.
 
And your point is? I re read the OP and can't see that however I am just a new owner with a p3A not standard, trying to enjoy the experience. Really appreciate your not so helpful comment.

It is quite common for people to post / reply using a general section instead of seeing what section it is in.

The P3S does not use USB for any action other than charging Controller or on Aircraft downloading video if you don't want to remove the card. Tablet is connected to Controller via WiFi. Therefore USB part of the OP's post is irrelevant to this Standard Section of the Forum.

The Advanced and Pro models have USB cable connection of Tablet to Controller.

Whether you consider it helpful or not really is not an issue, as you readily admit - you are a new owner with an Advanced version so would not be aware of the fundamental important difference of your model to the Standard.

Hope this clears it up for you ?

Nigel
 
Definetly DJI puts their effort on developing better coded apps por Apple products.

It looks like they consider most of their products users will use an iPhone or iPad devices.

Just look also what happens with DJI Osmo Mobile and its features, also very well developed for Apple products, but lacking in features for Android devices.
 
The iPhone 7 outperforms every android handset, it is actually faster than any MacBook Air- you can't compare SOC purely on core count and clock speed.

I have many android and Apple tablets and phones. I have never had issues with DJI GO or litchi on iOS however have had many problems with Android. It may be more an operating system issue than hardware. Apple products are likely more stable than competitors as a result of them tightly controlling the hardware spec and software.
 
Hello to all!

Got my first drone, a P4 about 3 weeks ago and it worked fine with my iPhone 5s. The only flaw was the small size of the screen and its bad visibility at daylight. So I bought an Asus Zenpad 8, installed the app and thought I would be in business from that. BUT...

It has at least two obvious problems: it is saving wonderful videos but no photos most of the time. The other thing I noticed yesterday, the altitude was reading 9 meters but the aircraft was hardly 4 feet hight.

I uninstalled the app and installed it again with no change at all.

Is there a way to solve the problem, other than flying it with the iPhone again?

Thanks
 
Hello to all!

Got my first drone, a P4 about 3 weeks ago and it worked fine with my iPhone 5s. The only flaw was the small size of the screen and its bad visibility at daylight. So I bought an Asus Zenpad 8, installed the app and thought I would be in business from that. BUT...

It has at least two obvious problems: it is saving wonderful videos but no photos most of the time. The other thing I noticed yesterday, the altitude was reading 9 meters but the aircraft was hardly 4 feet hight.

I uninstalled the app and installed it again with no change at all.

Is there a way to solve the problem, other than flying it with the iPhone again?

Thanks
Are you saying that ther are no images on the SD card in the AC when you seem to have taken them? Is the video downlink (FPV feed) rendering correctly? I can’t see how the altitude anomaly you are describing could be app related- the altitude s derernined in the AC.
 
Are you saying that ther are no images on the SD card in the AC when you seem to have taken them? Is the video downlink (FPV feed) rendering correctly? I can’t see how the altitude anomaly you are describing could be app related- the altitude s derernined in the AC.

Thanks for your reply!

Thats affirmative. I just did two identical flights, one with the Android tablet and one with my iPhone. This latest recorded everything and the tablet only got the videos. Regarding the altitude, what if I calibrate the IMU?
 
Thanks for your reply!

Thats affirmative. I just did two identical flights, one with the Android tablet and one with my iPhone. This latest recorded everything and the tablet only got the videos. Regarding the altitude, what if I calibrate the IMU?
No photos on SD card?
 
Yes, they are on the SD card but much more happened since...

To make it a short story, I began flying my P4 with my iPhone 5s. It worked flawlessly, except for the size of the screen, which made it a little difficult to see.

So to the local store I went and walked away with an Android tablet, an Asus ZenPad 8. Download Dji Go and here we go, I’m confident we’re in business from that point…until I fly with it. Too beautiful to be true, I felt like I had an Airbus 330 dash but the app crashed as soon as I got airborne. I discarded the device 2 days and $250 later.

I read a little more and realized that what I need is an IOS iPad . Got a deal with Apple on a refurbished, just like new ipad A1489, with its superb 8 in. screen. Install Dji Go4 and go fly.

Things worked superb until I went into some intelligent flight modes. Two of them just won’t work, Follow Me and POI.

POI:

The image lags big time as soon as I hit this mode. The screen turns green, black, I can hardly monitor what I’m recording and then, the camera turns sharply to the left, showing the landing gear leg and turns itself off.



Follow Me:

As soon as I switch to it, a flag tells me that I don’t have enough satellites for that function.

Then I try those them with my iPhone and everything works fine.

Needless to say, I clear all caches from the app before every flight. I tried an upgrade with the drone, the iPad and the controller all hooked together. It showed a bit of improvement in the lagging but that’s pretty much it. It seems that I can’t get that Ipad working.

I just spent over 600 bucks of tablets to end up on my iPhone two in. screen and it sucks…

Happy landings!
 
Yes, they are on the SD card but much more happened since...

To make it a short story, I began flying my P4 with my iPhone 5s. It worked flawlessly, except for the size of the screen, which made it a little difficult to see.

So to the local store I went and walked away with an Android tablet, an Asus ZenPad 8. Download Dji Go and here we go, I’m confident we’re in business from that point…until I fly with it. Too beautiful to be true, I felt like I had an Airbus 330 dash but the app crashed as soon as I got airborne. I discarded the device 2 days and $250 later.

I read a little more and realized that what I need is an IOS iPad . Got a deal with Apple on a refurbished, just like new ipad A1489, with its superb 8 in. screen. Install Dji Go4 and go fly.

Things worked superb until I went into some intelligent flight modes. Two of them just won’t work, Follow Me and POI.

POI:

The image lags big time as soon as I hit this mode. The screen turns green, black, I can hardly monitor what I’m recording and then, the camera turns sharply to the left, showing the landing gear leg and turns itself off.



Follow Me:

As soon as I switch to it, a flag tells me that I don’t have enough satellites for that function.

Then I try those them with my iPhone and everything works fine.

Needless to say, I clear all caches from the app before every flight. I tried an upgrade with the drone, the iPad and the controller all hooked together. It showed a bit of improvement in the lagging but that’s pretty much it. It seems that I can’t get that Ipad working.

I just spent over 600 bucks of tablets to end up on my iPhone two in. screen and it sucks…

Happy landings!

I have both Zenpad 8 and NVIDIA Shield. I like the Shield since it's easier to adjust the screen display contrast, gamma, blacks, etc. Neither have failed during flight.
 

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