Does DJI Smart Controller Work with Mini 3 Pro (Explained)

Like many other drones, the DJI Mini 3 Pro has extensive compatibility with multiple controllers to diversify the user experience, simplicity, portability, and price.

But does the DJI Smart Controller Work with the Mini 3 Pro?

The DJI Smart Controller is a discontinued product that is incompatible with the newer DJI Mini 3 Pro drone. The DJI Smart Controller is a predecessor to the DJI RC and is compatible only with a handful of older drones but not the Mini 3 Pro.

To find out more, we should look at everything there is to know about the DJI Smart Controller, its current compatibilities, and why it doesn’t work with the DJI Mini 3 Pro. 

Why doesn’t the DJI Smart Controller work with the DJI Mini 3 Pro? #

As noted earlier, we know that the DJI Smart Controller is an earlier version of the DJI RC released with the DJI Mavic 2. 

The current controller, the DJI RC, which is compatible with the DJI Mini 3 Pro, supports O3 and O3+ video transmissions.

But the older DJI Smart Controller does not support these newer VTX modules; for this reason, it is not compatible with the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

That is also because the DJI Mini 3 Pro uses the O3 Air Unit. 

Can we create compatibility between DJI Smart Controller and DJI Mini 3 Pro? 

Unfortunately, no. There are no ways to consider such as firmware updates or possible interchangeable parts that will help DJI Smart Controller to be compatible with the newer DJI Mini 3 Pro.

What are current DJI Smart Controller compatibilities? #

DJI Smart Controller featured the OcuSync 2.0 and was released to be compatible mainly with the DJI Mavic 2 and Mavic 2 Pro.

Afterward, we started to see compatibilities with the DJI Mavic Air 2 drone.

After a series of firmware updates, the Mavic Enterprise Series and Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 were last on the list to be compatible with the DJI Smart Controller. 

But no other drones are compatible with the DJI Smart Controller than the ones mentioned in this section.

Here’s the complete list of DJI drones compatible with the Smart Controller:

• Mavic 2
• Mavic 2 Pro
• Mavic Air 2
• Mavic Air 2S
• Mavic Enterprise series
• Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

We also have to know that the DJI Smart Controller is compatible with Air 2S, where this drone empowers the newer O3 air unit as most current drones.

But more likely, the incompatibility reason with newer drone models would be because of the processor and its current processing power. 

The VTX and VRX are not the only elements enabling the compatibility between a remote controller and a drone.

Is the DJI RC better than the DJI Smart Controller? #

The DJI RC is a significant upgrade to the DJI Smart Controller, packing comprehensive newer technologies, from the video receiver, screen, battery, internal sensors, compatibilities, and so on.

It would be unfair to say that one product is better than the other just because we are looking at an upgraded technology and not a possible comparison between these remote controllers. 

But indeed, all the way around, the DJI RC presents better performance and compatibilities with all current and possibly some future drone releases.

What else do we know about the DJI Smart Controller? #

It was (and still is) a robust controller that can resist severe weather conditions from -20 to +40 degrees, making it a good choice for flying a drone from one extreme to another.

It does use the DJI Go 4 app instead of the DJI Fly app that the most current DJI drones require. The operating system is android and customized to promote user experience and simplicity of flying drones. 

The DJI SC also allows you to live stream your drone live feed to the most common social media networks.

What are the DJI Mini 3 Pro’s present controller compatibilities? #

Although the DJI Mini 3 Pro does not support the DJI Smart Controller, it does have a few currently compatible controllers, which you can consider:

The DJI RC #

This controller is the successor of the DJI Smart Controller, and if you were looking to acquire the smart controller for this drone, look forward to the DJI RC – it’s even better.

Well, we can say that the DJI RC is the best in its class at this time, balancing quality and price. 

You have a screen to see the live feed where you will no longer require a mobile phone, like the DJI Smart Controller, and it is the best choice for simplicity. 

The DJI RC-N1  #

The N1 version is the simple controller version where you do not have a screen and must connect your mobile phone to the drone controller to have a live image. 

But the DJI RC-N1 is fully compatible with the DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone.

DJI RC Pro Controller #

This pro version of the RC, the DJI RC Pro Controller, is an addition you can acquire for your DJI Mini 3 Pro drone and quite a few more compatible drones.

It is a premium version of the RC controller and is a professional-level gadget featuring a faster processor, O3+ compatibility, 4G network, enhanced signal, brighter screen, etc.

But looking at the DJI RC Pro controller, we do need to make a serious investment to acquire it – as it’s not cheap at all compared to the DJI RC.

Is it worth buying the DJI Smart Controller? #

There is no justification for buying the DJI Smart Controller anymore, as the list of compatible drones is thin, and there are better drone and RC options nowadays.

None of the newly released drones supports the DJI Smart Controller.

Therefore, to answer this, no, it is not worth buying the DJI Smart Controller anymore. Instead, look for the DJI RC, as mentioned above.