DJI Smart Controller Review: All You Need To Know (2024)

Welcome! DJI is a leading drone manufacturer that has revolutionized the industry with its innovative technology and high-quality products. The company is known for its popular Mavic series of drones that have become a favorite among both professional and amateur drone pilots.

The DJI Smart Controller is designed to provide a more user-friendly and streamlined flying experience, with a built-in screen and improved connectivity options.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the DJI Smart Controller, exploring its features, capabilities, and limitations. Whether you’re a seasoned drone pilot or a newcomer to the hobby, this review will help you decide if the DJI Smart Controller is the right choice for you.

Specifications

Specs	Details
Max Transmission Distance	10 km (FCC), 6 km (CE), 6 km (SRRC), 6 km (MIC)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.2
Battery	18650 Li-ion (5000 mAh @ 7.2 V)
Charging Time	2 hours (using a USB power adapter rated 12 V/2 A)
Weight	Approx. 630 g

Design and Build Quality

The design and build quality of the DJI Smart Controller are impressive and reflect the company’s commitment to producing high-quality products. The controller has a sleek, minimalist design that is both modern and professional-looking. The materials used in its construction are of high quality and contribute to its durability and longevity.

The controller is also ergonomically designed, with a comfortable grip and intuitive layout that makes it easy to use even for extended periods. One of the most notable features of the DJI Smart Controller is its built-in display, which offers excellent image quality and a bright, clear image even in bright sunlight. The display is large enough to provide a comfortable viewing experience yet compact enough to be easily portable.

Overall, the design and build quality of the DJI Smart Controller are top-notch, making it an excellent choice for drone pilots who value both aesthetics and functionality.

Also Read: 6 Best Apps for DJI Drones

Performance

The DJI Smart Controller provides exceptional performance and offers a seamless experience to its users. The setup process is straightforward, and the controller connects quickly and easily to the drone. The DJI Smart Controller offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows pilots to take full control of their drones without any hassle.

When flying with the controller, users experience excellent stability and reliability, ensuring a safe and smooth flight. The controller is equipped with DJI’s latest technology, providing a fast and responsive connection with a long-range transmission distance.

Overall, the DJI Smart Controller is a reliable and powerful tool that enhances the drone flying experience, making it a popular choice among drone pilots.

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Transmission distance and signal strength

The DJI Smart Controller is equipped with a high-performance transmission system that ensures reliable and stable connectivity with your drone. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands and has a maximum transmission distance of up to 10km (6.2 miles) when used with the DJI Mavic 2 Pro or Zoom drones.

This means that you can fly your drone further and explore new areas with confidence without worrying about losing the signal. The signal strength is also impressive, with the controller using powerful OcuSync 2.0 technology to deliver a stable and interference-free connection.

The system automatically switches between 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequencies depending on the signal strength, ensuring that you always get the best possible performance.

Overall, the DJI Smart Controller’s transmission distance and signal strength are among its strongest features, making it an excellent choice for drone pilots who demand reliable connectivity and long-range capabilities.

Battery life and charging

The battery life and charging capabilities of the DJI Smart Controller are important aspects to consider when evaluating its performance. The controller comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which DJI claims can provide up to 2.5 hours of continuous use on a single charge. This is a significant improvement over the batteries found in some other DJI controllers.

Additionally, the Smart Controller uses a USB Type-C port for charging, which is a common port found in many devices today. It also supports quick charging, allowing the battery to be charged from 0 to 100% in just 2 hours. This makes it easy to keep the controller powered up and ready for use, even during extended flights.

Overall, the battery life and charging capabilities of the DJI Smart Controller are solid and can meet the demands of most drone pilots.

Also Check: Where DJI Drones Are Made? Origin, Manufacturing & History

Pros and Cons of DJI Smart Controller in Detail

Pros

• Improved Connectivity
• High-quality Display
• Easy to Use

CONS

• Limited Compatibility
• Limited Customization

Here are 3 pros of the DJI Smart Controller:

• Improved Connectivity: The DJI Smart Controller has its own built-in screen and a powerful processor that allows for faster and more stable connectivity with the drone. The controller can even connect to the drone from a distance of up to 8 km, which is an improvement over previous controllers.
• High-quality Display: The Smart Controller has a 5.5-inch ultra-bright display that is capable of displaying crystal-clear images and videos even in bright sunlight. It also supports H.264 and H.265 video decoding, providing better video quality than previous controllers.
• Easy to Use: The Smart Controller is designed to be easy to use, even for those who are new to flying drones. The controller has a streamlined interface that is easy to navigate and understand, and the physical buttons and joysticks make it easy to control the drone’s movements.

Some potential cons of the DJI Smart Controller are:

• Price: The DJI Smart Controller is more expensive than some other remote controllers on the market, which may make it less accessible for some consumers.
• Limited Compatibility: While the DJI Smart Controller is compatible with several DJI drones, it may not work with drones from other brands or older DJI drone models.
• Limited Customization: Some users may find the limited customization options on the DJI Smart Controller to be a drawback, as they may prefer to have more control over settings such as button assignments and display settings.

Price and Value

The DJI Smart Controller is currently priced at $749 on the official DJI website. While this may seem expensive compared to other drone controllers on the market, it is important to consider the value that it brings to the table. The DJI Smart Controller is a high-quality, feature-rich controller that offers a user-friendly experience and top-of-the-line performance.

It is designed specifically to work seamlessly with DJI’s Mavic series of drones, providing a reliable and convenient control solution. When compared to alternative drone controllers, the DJI Smart Controller offers a range of features and capabilities that make it stand out from the competition.

Overall, while the DJI Smart Controller may be a significant investment, its advanced features, ease of use, and exceptional performance make it well worth the price for serious drone pilots.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the DJI Smart Controller offers an impressive range of features that elevate the flying experience for Mavic drone users. Its sleek design, excellent transmission distance and signal strength, reliable performance, and user-friendly interface make it an excellent investment for serious drone pilots.

The only downsides are the price point and limited compatibility with other drone models. Overall, we recommend the DJI Smart Controller for those who are looking for a high-quality, user-friendly drone controller.

Thank you for taking the time to read our complete guide and review of the DJI Smart Controller. We hope that it has been informative and helpful in your search for the best drone controller for your needs. Happy flying!