Comparison

MIM vs Smart Device Controller

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MIM

This publication offers high-quality content for military model enthusiasts, featuring expert builds, techniques, and reviews of kits, accessories, and tools. Improve your modeling skills with step-by-step guides and insider industry news.

Highlights
  • Expert model builds
  • Step-by-step techniques
  • Kit and accessory reviews
  • Diorama features
  • Industry news and previews
  • Reference photos
Features
Read full description

MI Modeller AFV is the leading high quality publication featuring top models by the very best modellers, high quality photography and detailed builds showing how to improve your modelling The highest quality modelling always features in MI Modeller, along with the very best model builders in the world showing techniques and how to improve skills. Kits from all manufacturers feature and the latest accessories, paints and tools are regularly featured. If you want to improve your skills – MI Modeller AFV reveals the secrets and tips from the experts with clear step by step photography. Regulars include: Latest kit reviews Book and DVD reviews Painting and building tips Accessories and add-on reviews Diorama building and features Insider industry news Sneak previews of upcoming releases Step-by-step, illustrated model building articles Reference photos and information Colours and markings Wanting to know the latest news on kit reviews and improve your modelling skills? Add this to the best models on show and a leading Editorial team and MI Modeller is a must read. ---------------------------------------------- This is a free app download. Within the app users can purchase the current issue and back issues. Subscriptions are also available within the application. A subscription will start from the latest regular issue at the time of purchase. -The subscription will renew automatically unless cancelled more than 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period, for the same duration and at the current subscription rate for the product. -You may turn off the auto-renewal of subscriptions through your Account Settings, however you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period. -Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased. -If a subscription offers a free trial, at the end of the trial period, you will be charged the full price of the subscription. You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription settings on your iTunes account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Users can register for/ login to a pocketmags account in-app. This will protect their issues in the case of a lost device and allow browsing of purchases on multiple platforms. Existing pocketmags users can retrieve their purchases by logging into their account. We recommend loading the app for the first time in a wi-fi area so that all issue data is retrieved. If your app will not load past the splash page after a first install or an update, please delete and reinstall the app from the App Store Help and frequently asked questions can be accessed in-app and on pocketmags. If you have any problems at all please do not hesitate to contact us: help@pocketmags.com -------------------- You can find our privacy policy here: http://www.pocketmags.com/privacy.aspx You can find our terms and conditions here: http://www.pocketmags.com/terms.aspx

About

Smart Device Controller

Transform your smartphone into a wireless remote for model trains. It offers compatibility with Soundbox, allowing for operation or use as a wireless power pack without the Soundbox. Control your model train setups with ease.

Highlights
  • Wireless model train operation
  • Soundbox compatibility
  • Use as wireless power pack
  • Smartphone remote control
Read full description

Operate model trains by wireless control! Compatible with Soundbox! Your smartphone turns into a remote controller for a model train. You can use it as a remote controller for Soundbox. You do not have to use Soundbox and use this product as a wireless power pack. Let's download "Smart Device Controller application" to your smartphone or tablet on hand.

Screenshots

MIM2 screens
Smart Device Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MIM at 4.9 against Smart Device Controller's 3.3. MIM also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 27%) and ratings volume (20 vs 6). Smart Device Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 7 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MIM sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Smart Device Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MIM holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of MIM's written reviews are positive against 27% of Smart Device Controller's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MIM ships an update every 7 months, Smart Device Controller every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
MIM versus Smart Device Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMIMSmart Device Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (20 ratings) — better3.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better27.3% of reviews
Number of ratings20 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.610.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDoolittle Media LtdSEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD

Customer experience

MIM

All ratings20 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral5.6%
Negative27.8%

Smart Device Controller

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral36.4%
Negative36.4%

In-app purchases

13 purchases

MIM

Subscriptions1
  • MIM AFV1 Month trial$19.991 Year
One-time12
  • 018 (id:406968)$3.99
  • 004 (id:735931)$4.99
  • 010 (id:735619)$4.99
Show 9 more
  • 006 (id:735020)$4.99
  • 012 (id:735378)$4.99
  • 014 (id:735215)$4.99
  • 016 (id:734726)$4.99
  • 020 (id:734875)$4.99
  • 022 (id:735093)$4.99
  • 086 June 2018 (id:756734)$4.99
  • 069 February 2017 (id:756718)$4.99
  • 158 (pp:1082427)$4.99
None

Smart Device Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MIM free?
MIM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart Device Controller free?
Smart Device Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MIM or Smart Device Controller?
MIM is rated higher. MIM averages 4.9 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Smart Device Controller averages 3.3 from 6 ratings.
Do MIM or Smart Device Controller have ads?
Neither MIM nor Smart Device Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MIM or Smart Device Controller?
MIM ships an update every 7 months, and Smart Device Controller every 3 months. Most recently, MIM was updated on October 13, 2026 and Smart Device Controller on September 29, 2026.

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