Technological innovation is a beautiful thing. It makes our lives easier in innumerable ways and it can also translate into more fun.
This is especially true for drone pilots. First we were given the ability to buy unmanned aerial vehicles that can entertain us and provide us with videos that were previously impossible to capture, and at affordable prices.
Now we have the chance to sync our quadcopters with mobile devices like Apple iPhones and iPads.
Not every drone is equipped with smart phone or tablet syncing capabilities, but dozens of models are able to be programmed and controlled remotely using an iPhone or iPad.
Below we’ll discuss the technical specifications of a few of the most popular choices, and we’ll also break down what we like and don’t like about each one.
Table with Reviews of the 5 Best Drones for iPhone & iPad 2024:
249-gram weight makes it easy to handle, and bring everywhere
12MP pictures and 2.7K video on such a small drone
Does not need to be registered in the US
Uses DJI Fly App with iPhones and Androids
The DJI Mini SE is the budget version of the DJI Mini series, but it has a lot to offer at a great price.
When I unboxed the drone I noticed that it feels compact. It comes with a controller, some extra props, and a small screwdriver.
I really enjoy using this drone as it takes up almost no space when you travel.
I also love using the sports mode, it makes the drone buzz around very fast. The cinematic mode is better for shooting video.
The resolution on the camera is quite close to what you get when you take stills on your phone. The video is good enough for social media and non-professional videos.
Flight Time: 30 minutes of flight time Camera: 2.7K camera Range: 4 km
What We Like
250-gram weight for light travel
Camera takes 12MP pictures
Does not need to be registered in the US
Uses DJI Fly App with iPhones and Androids
One of the latest marvels from DJI, the mavic comes filled to the brim with the latest drone technology.
When I first had the chance to do a test flight with it, I found that it has a great range and flight time, and it is very easy to create awesome videos on. The price tag, technology and the size is what makes this drone so intriguing.
The Mavic Mini drone also comes with many features that are useful for iPhone and iPad owners. The DJI Fly App is connected to your iPhone or iPad and allows you to use it as your remote control.
There are rules and regulations that come with owning and using a drone, and that is why many of them have to be registered through a government agency to ensure the proper use and rules are known and followed.
However, the Mavic Mini should not need to be registered as it weighs less than 250g.
Flight Time: 26 minutes of flight time Range: Over 3200 feet of flight range Camera: 4K UHD camera and image stabilizer
What We Like
iPhone or iPad connect to the drone app
Several GPS functions
Hovering capabilities safe for indoors
Includes a travel bag for storage on the road
The Holy Stone Foldable HS720 drone model is a great travel option and ideal for iPhone users as it connects to your iPhone or iPad through the use of the Drone App. This app connects your device to the drone so that it acts as a remote control. This also makes sharing photos easy, as they are transmitted directly to your phone.
HS720 Features
The HS720 includes a GPS that has several functions. The first function is the ability to return to your location when the battery power gets too low.
This will happen with the press of a button when you cannot see the drone, or it will sense that the battery is low and return on its own. This makes it easy to keep track of it and get it back to you when you have lost sight of it.
The GPS also comes with a setting that allows it to follow you without you needing to manually control it. This can be used when you are running, jogging, or hiking to a specific area where you would like to take a photo. You can get pictures along the way, or just have it follow you so that you don’t have to hold onto it, which will allow you to keep both hands free for whatever you need.
With a 4K camera that comes with an image stabilizer, you can use your drone to capture the best moments as they come and get great aerial views.
Flight Time: 18 minutes of flight time Range: 300 m range of flight Camera: 1080p adjustable FPV camera
What We Like
Comes with a specially-designed backpack
Has Smart Return technology as a safety feature
Has Follow Me technology
Adjustable camera angles for pictures
The Holy Stone HS120D uses your iPhone or iPad in place of a controller by connecting to a drone app. This app turns your phone into a remote control for the drone and allows you to fly it using your iPhone or smart device of your choice.
There is an adjustable camera that lets you change the angle of a photo to get the best picture. It captures high definition photos and can also be used to record videos as well. This footage can be saved and shared on your smartphone, which makes it ideal for those who have an iPhone or iPad and want to keep the footage and pictures they took.
A single battery will get you around 18 minutes of flight time.
It has some cool features, like Custom Path, which lets you create a flight path of your own by dragging your finger across the screen in the way you want the drone to go.
The follow me mode will have the drone following your every move.
The Mavic is smaller than the Phantoms, but still has the same general functionality. It is much more portable than the Phantoms though, you can even fold it down to the size of a water bottle.
It shoots amazing footage, and hovers more stable than any drone I have seen.
Specs: The Mavic Pro impresses with an extremely good flight time of 27 minutes. You can shoot video in 4K and take 12 MP Photos. The controller range is between 4-7 km. There is a 3-axis gimbal stabilizing the camera. You control the drone with your phone or tablet.
Pros: The size of the Mavic, and the fact that you can fold it down even smaller makes it an awesome choice. Couple that with the 4K camera, and the Mavics groundbreaking technology, such as obstacle avoidance and gesture based drone selfies, IMO you have a winner.
Cons: It comes at a higher price than many consumer drones, although I would characterize it as prosumer drone. Some people have been unhappy with the costumer service at DJI in the past, but I hear that has been better lately.
The Verdict: The Mavic may come at a higher price than many other drones, and it might not have all the impressive specs of the Phantom 4 PRO, but I think that the Mavic is the best drone for the money so far this year. If it is within your budget, and you are looking for an amazing drone for iPhone or iPad, then this is a great choice. It also works with Android.
The Specs: The DJI Phantom 4 weighs 3 pounds and can reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour. It’s electronically limited to a maximum altitude of 400 feet and it has a flight time of 28 minutes. It’s equipped with a GPS system and a 12-megapixel camera that can snap photos and record videos in 4K Ultra HD. The camera lens has a field of vision of 94 degrees, and the device can function in temperatures ranging from 32-104 degrees Fahrenheit. You can program and fly this drone using the DJI GO app.
Pros: This drone is perfect for large-scale aerial surveying because of its impressive 28-minute flying time. It’s also fast for a drone not designed specifically for racing. DJI drones are known for their ability to handle well and this model doesn’t disappoint in that regard. As mentioned with the Phantom 3 Standard this drone works seamlessly with the mobile DJI GO app.
Cons: If you’re an inexperienced drone pilot you might feel uncomfortable piloting such an advanced piece of equipment. If you are a beginner, but still want a really good drone, a good starting drone might be the DJI Phantom 3 Standard.
The Verdict: Serious drone pilots will probably love this model as much as I did. It’s a real treat to fly. With a flying time of 28 minutes and a top speed of 45mph you can cover a ton of ground (or air) with this model. I wouldn’t recommend it for inexperienced pilots (mainly because of its price, it is actually quite easy to use and get started) but it’s a good fit for intermediate/expert pilots and DJI’s GO app make it easy to configure and maneuver this device.
The Phantom 4 also has one of the most impressive obstacle avoidance features right now, which is especially handy if you want to use the drones follow me function.
The Solo from 3DR is marketed as the worlds first smart drone. Powered by twin 1 GHz computers it has some really cool functions for shooting videos. It is an exiting new drone, and a challenger to the DJI Phantom. It is designed totally with GoPro in mind, and you can control the GoPro camera with the gimbal (sold separately).
The Specs: This 3.35-pound drone has a fly time of approximately 20 minutes after charging for 1.5 hours. It can reach a top speed of 55 miles per hour and a maximum altitude of 400 feet. It uses Pixhawk 2 autopilot technology and three-axis stabilization. It can pitch up to 90 degrees and is comprised of a plastic composite. It’s GPS-compatible and works with most GoPro cameras. The 3DR Solo can be operated using a mobile app built specifically for this model.
Pros:This drone is reliable and easy to control, and the exterior design is very appealing. This model’s top speed of 55mph is impressive and makes for a fun flying experience. I was able to get some really sharp video from this drone with very little vibration because it flies so steadily.
The Solo has some cool features, such as “orbit”, where you lock your camera on an object and get wraparound shots moving in a circular track while keeping the camera locked on the target, and cable cam, where you can lock the drone on a virtual cable leaving you to control the camera.
Cons: It’s somewhat heavier than other drones in its class but that doesn’t hinder its speed whatsoever. For a camera without a drone the price might seem a bit steep, but you pay for quality.
Parrot Bebop 2
Specs
Camera:14 MP.Videos in 1920 x 1080P resolution
Flight time: 25minutes
Range: 100 meters
The Specs: The Parrot Bebop 2 drone has a flight time of 25 minutes and an operating range of 100 meters. It has a 14-megapixel camera and records videos in high-definition, 1080P resolution. It has a plastic and carbon fiber body that weighs just 1.1 pounds and can reach a top speed of 18 miles per hour. It comes equipped with return to home, follow me, automatic landing and autonomous flight modes. It has multiple LED lights and is GPS-capable. You can fly the Parrot Bebop 2 with apps such as Free Flight that are available on Parrot’s website.
Pros: This drone is compact but it’s also durable. It’s pretty easy to learn how to do barrel rolls, flips and other tricks with this model and the battery life is almost double that of its predecessor.
Cons:I expected pictures to be a little bit clearer considering the camera is rated as 14 megapixels, but photos and videos are still respectable. Other drones with similar capabilities and prices are a tad faster than the Bebop 2, so that was also somewhat disappointing.
The Verdict:This drone is perfect for children and new pilots. It’s durable and the propellers stop rotating at the first sign of physical interference. It doesn’t have some of the top-of-the-line capabilities of other drones but it can definitely hold its own in terms of advanced features. On top of that, the max flight time of 25 minutes will prove you with more than enough practice time to hone your piloting skills.
This paid mobile app works on virtually all drones, including ones you build yourself. This app allows you to create 3D maps using the pictures you take from the sky. The app performs pre-flight and in-flight checks to ensure your drone is performing properly. Drone Deploy automatically keeps you compliant with drone flying regulations using an advanced form of geo-fencing. You can use this app to map topography and terrain, assess crop health, and even create 3D models of areas you plan to develop.
2. Tower
I really like this app because it’s open-source, meaning you can customize the code to make the app do exactly what you need it to do. The app itself is really useful as-is, however, as it allows you to pre-program flights and it helps you keep a smooth flight around waypoints that you set. It can map large structures and if you input an area you need to survey the app will provide you with the most efficient flight pattern. You can also program the drone to keep the camera focused on you or any other object throughout the duration of the flight.
Conclusion
DJI tops the list when you want a cool drone that pairs with your phone.
Do you have experience with any of the drones on our list? What do you think about their operation in terms of being connected wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet? Are there any other mobile drones or mobile drone apps you would recommend? We’d love to hear from you regarding this topic in the Comments section below.
Stewart Lawson was born and raised in South Carolina, and attended the College of Charleston. A drone enthusiast that has written thousands of articles, blogs, news updates, press releases, tutorials and special reports for dozens of clients. Stewart currently resides in Puerto Rico.
Hi,
I like to know what is your take on the Phantom 3 SE?