The best Android devices are hindered from near (DJI Go4) perfection, because of differences between models and companies that produce them.
Think of this; Each major company touts superior hardware and design, i.e. Samsung, LG, etc, etc. Add to that, each company produces different model lineup.
Some models only run on their respected OS "Lollipop" "Nugat", "Marshmallo"...etc, and this is changing constantly. A model running older hardware, may suddenly be upgraded to newer OS!
Then, each of those many companies usually, don't run straight Android! They overlay their company's custom "look" i.e. Samsung= Galaxy.
This is not bad at all for their regular tablet and phone customers, but DJI has to do a little "dance" in order to get Go 4 to work for every Android hardware and software obstacle they encounter,
for countless, different tablets and phones. That's why, even though I am not a Apple fan, I purchased an iPad
mini 4, for my MP. Apple products are solid and predictable.
Apple apps are apple certified. Not like Android apps that might inject bugginess into the system.
DJI doesn't need to make different tweeks for iOS, as much as Android.
As for a stand alone tablet, I would prefer the Galaxy s2!!
But for my drone.. iPad!!
I use both iPad Pro and Tab S4... also Mini 4th Gen but reserved for non-intensive Apps like DJIGo4 & 3.
But for those considering one over the other, it’s really not an OS issue, both perform very nicely if on high performance hardware. It’s more your intended needs or simply personal brand preference. Lower grade hardware will fail more often, and due to hundreds of Low End Android tablets perfectly suitable for Netflix, Kindle, or Games on market, these will fail as a Flight Control system. Basically common sense, a $700 tablet will outperform a $150 tablet.
I mentioned the Tab S4 because Samsung is currently the only USA provider of high performance Android Tablets. Other brands offer lower performance tablets. For the top performing Android tablet on par with iPad Pro, it’s basically the Tab S4.
Although I understand where you’re coming from, similar to my speech on Windows machines, although more precise on Windows hardware and multiple Drivers made for multiple configurations & combinations. Apple’s Macs have focused Drivers for their spec’ed hardware, improving stability. That’s more accurate statement due to machine architecture layers: hardware, BIOS, Interface layer, Component layer, then finally Operating System layer. The Windows OS doesn’t interact directly with hardware layers, even Machine Language programming communicates normally through interface language.
Although not necessarily true with iOS or Android OS... including Android Tablet hardware. You mention the dedicated Brand OS, normally that’s “core” Android OS with additional modules to address unique specific hardware. The main difference is Ft End mostly for End User Interface, the custom Brand’s Launcher Shell... which actually isn’t directly coupled to the OS, you can use (I always use separate) different Launcher Shells. The Android OS core is basically 1 version used throughout multiple companies with custom modules and shells.
As with iOS, the Android OS doesn’t have multiple interface layers, per Android specs. Firmware on hardware is designed within parameters of the OS core and API.
As with Apple iOS, having only 1 single hardware brand and specifications, there still exists supporting multiple versions of older hardware and is burdensome and eventually has cut-off support versions. The iOS would be much smaller if only written for 2-3 generations of hardware.
The Android OS, when you consider the massive number of different hardware, brands, Firmware, and different company’s developers, since maturing the last 2-3 versions has had a very stable history considering the challenges of all the varied hardware. Compare the number of patch updates between iOS & Android; more iOS between core versions.
Your Older OS statement is correct, due to rapid development of hardware (market leading components) the newer OS’s stop supporting older hardware: 1) maintains a smaller efficient core OS, 2) Improves overall Performance. Which is why you see so many phones not receiving or listed as not-compatible for new OS versions. But that doesn’t effect stability if remaining on older OS unless the upgraded app no longer supports the older OS version.
The compatibility of DJI Go4 or DJI Go3 for Android isn’t tweaked for multiple versions or hundreds of hardware. They’re written to spec for the API interface specifications, 1 version download in App Store. It does have a compatibility list, limiting hardware to modern performance devices, similar to iOS version that cuts off at Mini 4th Gen as lower end. If Android App was written otherwise, the app would be huge to include all the different libraries. Currently the iOS app is twice the Android size (apx 500meg iOS and 250meg APK downloads).
The Older DJIGo (version 3) continues to receive minor updates for NFZ or minor performance. This DJI app continues to be compatible with all supported versions of iOS & Android and provides stable flight control for older aircraft platforms. The DJIGo4 continues to improve, add models and stability for both iOS & Android.
As previously mentioned, the DJI hardware
CrystalSky is Android and considered very stable. The core OS is not updated much since focus is dedicated to RC flight control.
If I desired to use AutoPilot, Flight Plan, FPVCamera for a mapping project, I’d have to use the iPad Pro. A iPad Mini 4th Gen would crash running most of these apps... Autopilot does not include older iPads or iPad
mini 4.
If desired to use UgCS, Drone Harmony or other would require a strong performing Android.
Pix4D works with both.
On a freezing cold day or hot day, I’ve had issues with both iPad Pro and TabS4. Both work about the same in reliability.
Comes down to personal preference, best price, supported apps.
