Top 5 Best CarPlay AI Box Adapters in 2025 - CarPlayLife

In this video, I bring you my Top 5 Best Apple CarPlay AI Box adapters that you can buy in . Links to buy each dongle mentioned, and view each of their review videos and articles are also all linked below:

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

I have reviewed quite a few Carplay AI Box adapters on this site and on my YouTube channel, and a common question I always get asked is, what is the best AI Box? I last answered this question at the beginning of and you can also watch it here, but since then, I have not only reviewed many new AI Boxes, but I’ve seen some AI Boxes evolve and there have also been some new brands disturbing the market with their own AI Box solutions, so this topic now requires a long overdue revisit.

What is a CarPlay AI Box?

CarPlay AI Boxes are small standalone computers that run an Android operating system on your CarPlay display. You connect the AI Box to the CarPlay USB port in your car, and the AI Box will take over your CarPlay interface and replace it with an Android tablet operating system. 

From here you can install any app available from the Google Play Store, including streaming video apps like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and Hulu, to playing games like Candy Crush to Call of Duty Mobile on your CarPlay display. These adapters also allow the ability to turn your wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto system into a wireless one, stream local media files and output its content through to a connected HDMI display. So in short, they are smart little devices that open new opportunities for your Apple CarPlay system, and they are perfect if you find yourself in the car for long periods, or while you’re waiting for your EV to charge.

How Have AI Boxes Evolved?

Since my last Top 5 CarPlay AI box roundup, we have seen newer faster processors become introduced, an increase in base RAM and storage, the adoption of Android 13 OS, and we’ve seen a variety of new brands arrive that have encouraged more established brands to improve their solutions. One AI Box even came with a full-colour display!

In this new round-up of my Top 5 CarPlay AI Boxes, I have gathered the previous top 5 along with all the AI boxes I’ve reviewed since my last round-up. 

To be considered for my top 5, each AI box needed to follow some key must-have features: First, they needed to be available and supported by their brand. They had to run Android 13, have at least 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, feature a SIM card slot for built-in internet or offer WiFi hotspots, and feature expandable storage from a USB port or a TF card slot. Out of 24 AI boxes, 11 passed my first criteria and sadly neither of the previous winners made it through. 

After making sure they were each running their latest update, I started to rank each adapter by its key components, such as their processing chipset, WiFi spec, and the quality of their default launcher, and I ran benchmark results in the latest 3D Mark and Geekbench 6.

I then began to test their bootup times, their time to launch into four of my key apps (Google Maps, Spotify, YouTube and Netflix), their performance in YouTube playback, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto and their quality and calling audio delay within them. I also looked at their additional functionality and features, such as HDMI input and output support, mirror casting, additional storage options and LED functions. Each additional function gave extra points. Then finally, I factored in their current price, which included current discounts at the time of recording.

How they tested

Across the 11 finalists, I found their launchers were quite similar, with a select few going the extra mile to create something truly unique. They had a Wi-Fi spec that spanned three generations, and four types of processing hardware were used, from , 660, and the fastest . Each adapter provided varying performance levels in app launch timings, multitasking between apps, general interface smoothness, video playback on YouTube and performance in wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. The fastest adapter didn’t necessarily mean it was the best in all my test categories.

Boot-up times to each adapter’s launch screen varied between 22 seconds to 41 seconds, whilst pairing into wireless CarPlay and Android Auto was slightly more consistent, with a couple performing much worse. App launch times between these adapters were all within 1-2 seconds of each other with higher processor adapters holding their ground. Still, there were some better-optimised adapters with much slower processing power that weren’t that too far behind.

Half of the adapters in my Top 5 offered the ability for HDMI out, whilst only one allowed HDMI input. I also tested video sync in detail, noting an average time between the audio delay and compared this alongside its consistency in keeping this delay per frame, so that the video would seem smoother. The call return delay was also measured whilst running wireless Android Auto on each adapter, to give a general ‘best case’ impression of their bandwidth and wireless performance on the adapter.

The price of these adapters is also a key factor to consider. Why pay more when you just need it to run YouTube? So I gathered their latest prices at the time of running this comparison, along with coupons that were available to me. Most of these adapters cost between $180 to $240, with the most expensive at $360, but this price was for the fastest hardware.

The 11 AI Box adapter finalists that didn’t make it into my Top 5 were the CarlinKit Ambient (), Exploter ApplePie Plus 2.0 (), Exploter ApplePie Touch (), CarlinKit UHD (), Linkifun GT7H (), and a close runner-up was the CarlinKit UHD (660).

The Final 5 AI Boxes

After carrying out all of these tests I had my top 5 finalists. Each of these AI Boxes is worth considering, but to this day, no AI Box is perfect. A compromise will need to be made, so I will highlight what each AI Box does best and the features or issues I encountered that you should be aware of, so you can select the best AI Box for your own personal use.

So let’s dive into my Top 5 CarPlay AI Boxes…CarPlay AI Boxes have evolved significantly since my last roundup, with faster processors, more RAM, and better features. After testing 24 AI Boxes on speed, performance, and functionality, only 11 met my criteria, and five stood out as the best. This in-depth review highlights their strengths, weaknesses, and how they compare, helping you choose the right AI Box for your needs.

5th Place: MMB Max 5.0 CarPlay AI Box Adapter

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So in 5th place is the MMB Max 5.0 CarPlay AI Box Adapter. This AI Box adapter performed well in my GPU benchmark test and averaged in single-core and multi-core benchmarks. It scored the slowest of the Top 5 in most of my app launch times and has an average performance in wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. 

It has an average audio sync delay on YouTube that was smooth and stable, and its call delay in wireless Android Auto was in the middle of the top 5 finalists. The MMB Max 5.0 was a close last place, barely knocking out the runner-up CarlinKit UHD 660. Its launcher menu is decent, and it is one of the five finalists with no HDMI output, but you could opt for the MMB Max 4.0 if you wanted this functionality, but be aware, the MMB Max 4.0 is a CPU adapter, so the performance is slightly less than the 5.0, so, in that case, you may be better off with the 3rd place adapter from Linifun, below.

One area to also be aware of is that I found connecting to wireless CarPlay and Android Auto can be a little hit-and-miss, and due to a basic layout in its launcher, I was changing between screens often to adjust certain functionalities. Its price is higher than its closest and better-performing rivals in this Top 5, limiting its position in my Top 5.

4th Place: Exploter ApplePie AI-996 E CarPlay AI Box Adapter

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In 4th place is the Exploter Applepie AI-996 E. This AI box is the lowest-priced AI Box in my Top 5, yet it can pull its weight thanks to its performance. It was the second fastest to boot into its launcher and has a quicker-than-average app launch time. 

However, even with a chipset, there were a few issues with this adapter that limited its overall appeal. Its video performance in the YouTube app was better than the fifth place MMB 5.0, with a lower average time that was more consistent in its delivery. Unfortunately, I encountered wireless CarPlay and Android Auto visuals and general performance issues. 

Along with its rather basic launcher, the AI-996 E also gave some odd visual results on my Cupra Born display, displaying CarPlay and Android Auto in a reduced windowed view, whilst its launcher and buttons were stretched out and out of shape. It was one of two adapters in my Top 5 to carry a higher DPI setting, meaning you do get better-formatted Android apps displayed on screen, but at the sacrifice of much smaller buttons, that leave you open to many miss hits along with smaller text that isn’t ideal to navigate whilst driving.

3rd Place: Linkifun GT6 Pro CarPlay AI Box Adapter

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If you want to learn more, please visit our website Dingpei.

In the middle at 3rd place is the Linkifun GT6 Pro AI Box. This chipset AI Box was a surprise hit, knocking out its more capable brother, the GT7H, which currently features the poor video lag bug that plagues some adapters.

Thanks to some clever optimisation in its performance and its launcher, the GT6 Pro offers one of the best stock launchers in my Top 5. Its foundations have also been carefully optimised by its engineers which made its app launch times a close second to the fastest AI box in my test. It has an average boot-up time of 35 seconds, a quick pairing time into wireless CarPlay and an average time into wireless Android Auto. 

Thanks to its optimisations, its performance in call return delay was the best out of this Top 5 in Android Auto, however, its video playback came out the worst, a similar trait found on some AI Boxes, which included the GT7H. So although it may not make up for its video playback, it does pack many additional extras. It features both HDMI IN and OUT ports, making it a very versatile adapter for use outside the car (however, I found the adapter must be plugged into a CarPlay system for the HDMI to work. It didn’t work when directly connecting to the TV or monitor), and a best-in-class launcher that should worry most other brands. 

2nd Place: BRUXE R6 CarPlay AI Box Adapter

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In second place is the BRUXE R6 AI Box. This recently reviewed AI box has come out of nowhere and sits proudly as one of the best AI Boxes for video playback in my Top 5. It had one of the lowest and most consistent audio delays in my YouTube tests and the second lowest in its call delay over Android Auto.

Its premium tempered glass and airplane-grade metal materials allow for better cooling, and it looks the part doing it too. Its launcher came in second place to the Linkifun GT6 Pro, and it is the only adapter in my Top 5 to offer mirroring support from a connected mobile device. Thanks to similar optimisations, the BRUXE R6 averages higher in its overall benchmarks and this shows especially in its video playback performance.

It averaged in my app launch time tests, but it was the quickest pairing into CarPlay and Android Auto in my Top 5. Call delay was average also and I found it struggled a little in finding my distant home Wi-Fi connection at times. Mirroring was a unique feature for the R6 amongst my other four finalists, but its performance wasn’t too great on the iPhone, and it wasn’t working at all on Android. Generally found the R6 is a few updates away from being truly a great AI Box for your money. I just hope BRUXE are rapid with its update releases before someone else can take its crown.  

1st Place: Exploter ApplePie Rocket CarPlay AI Box Adapter

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In first place and winning my Top 5 AI Box Adapter list is the Exploter ApplePie Rocket. This AI Box features the fastest chipset, which means it had picked up many points for its general speed at booting up, launching all of my four test apps, and leaving all the other AI Boxes for dust in both my GPU and CPU benchmark tests. But as I said earlier, no AI Box is perfect, and the Rocket has some issues you must be aware of. 

Just like the brand’s AI-996 E adapter, it has the same issues with its launcher, with the same tablet-focused higher DPI, a stretched-out interface and windowed CarPlay and Android Auto experience. Even with a sixth-generation WiFi spec, the Rocket was the slowest in both Apple and Google platforms and had the longest call delay in Android Auto.

Its video performance wasn’t the best either. Although it gave the quickest latency score in my tests, it also had one of the most widely inconstant frames, so the video would appear less smooth with random frame drops here and there. 

So with so many issues, why is the Rocket in first place?

This test was done on a point system and the Rocket truly won this test on pure brawn alone. Its powerful CPU soaked up many of its flaws and if you’re looking for an AI box that can tackle any app or game you throw at it, then the Rocket will certainly deliver. If you are considering this adapter, I recommend changing its launcher to improve its general usability. However, suppose you’re looking for video playback, a better launcher and experience in Apple Carplay and Android auto, then the previous AI boxes I’ve mentioned in this list will deliver better results and at a more attractive price that’s much cheaper than the Rocket’s hefty price tag.

My Recommended AI Boxes

So there you have it. These are my top 5 AI boxes in . We are only at the beginning of the year with plenty of exciting AI Boxes to be released over the coming months. So if you like my content, please consider subscribing or following my content to learn about each new AI Box I can get my hands on and how they stack up against my current Top 5.

Although this Top 5 list was points-based, I have two main recommendations for AI Boxes in . The first is the Linkifun GT6 Pro 8+128GB model, which offers tremendous value with many features including HDMI IN and OUT ports, USB and TF card storage, whilst the USB can also be used for peripherals. It has the best launcher out of all the AI Boxes I have tested so far, with lots of nice shortcuts and generally some time has been invested in its user experience over most other bigger branded AI Boxes out there.

But overall, among all the AI Boxes I’ve tested. My most recommended AI Box has to go to the BRUXE R6 AI Box Adapter.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Brief overview
0:22 – Testing Process
3:46 – Top 5 Finalists
4:09 – MMB Max 5.0
5:22 – Exploter ApplePie AI-966 E
6:35 – Linkifun GT6 Pro
7:44 – BRUXE R6
8:52 – Exploter ApplePie Rocket
9:57 – How did it win?
10:23 – Better options for you?
10:39 – Upcoming AI Boxes
10:58 – CarPlay Life Recommended AI Boxes

Tips When Buying An AI Box Adapter

Before you head off to buy any of the AI Boxes I have recommended, I wanted to share with you a few tips when searching for what AI Box is right for you. 

Vehicle system compatibility

No car is built the same. So the adapter that may work for me, may not work in your car.  First, your car system needs to have wired Apple CarPlay support. If it only has wired Android Auto then there are only a few AI Boxes that work on the Android Auto platform – check out the CarlinKit 660 for this functionality. If your car only has wireless CarPlay, then there are a few solutions for BMW vehicles, but other brands, like Audi and other brands, these adapters may not be as supportive.

SIM region support

If you plan on using the AI Box with a data SIM card, be careful when buying a region-specific AI Box. Some brands sell adapters that will only allow SIM cards to work in certain territories. Picking the right adapter for your region is crucial for SIM data cards to work correctly. If you don’t plan on using the SIM card for supplying internet, then you can buy from any available region. 

Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto support

If you plan on using the AI Box for Wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, you might want to consider buying a dedicated wireless adapter instead. These adapters will offer much greater performance and speed over any AI Box. So ask yourself “Do I need video playback or gaming on my CarPlay display?”, before choosing an AI box over a wireless adapter.

Buy an AI Box that suits your needs

Finally, consider what you plan on doing with your AI Box and ask yourself if you need so much power to provide that experience. With so few CPU types built into these AI boxes, the field of selection is quite actually small. Brands try to make their solution look different, offering LEDs or extra input ports, but the computing power inside is fundamentally the same. So if you aren’t going to use HDMI connections, USB inputs or changing the colour of its LEDs then you could save a lot of money and buy a similar spec AI Box without these unnecessary features.

Safety when using an AI Box

Whichever AI Box you choose, you can’t go wrong with any of the five AI Boxes I have mentioned above. An AI Box can breathe new life into your car’s entertainment system, far beyond what is offered by the CarPlay or Android Auto platform and their supported apps alone. With video playback and gaming possibilities, you can entertain yourself and your fellow passengers whilst waiting for long periods in the car, or even whilst charging your electric vehicle.

Whatever you do though, do it safely and consider the safety of other drivers around you.

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BHPian  
Join Date: Nov Location: India Posts: 997 Thanked: 2,476 Times Re: The Android Head-Unit buying guide Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt Can you pz clarify what you mean by 'conventional android HU'? How is it different? These are the branded double din headunits sold by the established brands like Alpine, Sony, Pioneer etc where you have to connect your to mirror the car specific interfaces like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The in-dash units usually have standard screen size of 7 inches. Some other HUs come with bigger screen size like the Sony XAV / where screen portion protrudes out of the dashboard, though its tilt and height adjustable.

Quote: my primary purpose is to use the screen for reverse parking, google-maps and the basic radio & USB/ music. Which system would you recommend ? You can consider the Alpine ILX 650/660 if your primary source of music is going to be the mobile . These units have single USB port so you can either keep your or USB thumb drive connected at a time. But they are superior in terms of audio quality and audio related features.

Alpine also has a dedicated amplifier which can be fitted behind either of these headunits, so no wiring mesh in the boot of your car. Although the amp needs to be bought as a separate accessory.

If you like to keep a USB thumb drive attached all the time along with the mobile for the navigation and calls, then look for the headunits with the dual USB ports, for eg Sony XAV , , / etc.

Pioneer also has similar systems, but look for the systems with only capacitive touch screens, avoid the resistive touch screens.

Quote: there is going to be a wifi signal inside the car at all times. I may sound paranoid here, but I really dont think sitting for a long time with so much radiation inside the car is safe in the long run (the science is still under review). More than the WiFi radiation, you will be worried about the battery of your . You would not like to be with a dead at the end of a 3-5 hour long trip where you want to capture a scenic moment but you can't.

And to overcome this issue, you will have to connect your with charger, so all in all there has to be wire somewhere in the setup, even in case or wireless charger unless your car is already equipped with one, and if it already has one then there is high probability of it already having a competitive infotainment system with all the needful features.

Life is getting too much complicated in the process of making it easier. Last edited by tbppjpr : 14th August at 15:37. BHPian  
Join Date: Mar Location: Bangalore / Boise Posts: 943 Thanked: 1,536 Times Re: The Android Head-Unit buying guide Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt Thanks a lot for these details. My main concern with #1 & #3 is that there is going to be a wifi signal inside the car at all times. I may sound paranoid here, but I really dont think sitting for a long time with so much radiation inside the car is safe in the long run (the science is still under review).
So I feel that #2 is the 'safest' option, although the battery drains faster as you mentioned. Can you plz recommend some android systems for #2? #2 is the easiest and most compatible option and should work with almost all phones. Rather than looking for an android system, I would look for a system that's android-auto compatible. Now, what's the difference?

Android systems - run android natively and you basically get something like a android 10 running on the system, with apps just like on your . The bottom range of these start from 10-15k for a 2gb/16gb variant. Generally, as you may have noticed, our phones now a days tend to have 6 gb upwards (my OnePlus 5 that I got in was a 6gb model), so you can imaging how a 2gb system runs. It's slow. 4gb etc models tend to be faster and generally move to the 25 to 40k range. Models include woodman and such, mostly rebranded Chinese versions.

Non-Android systems but supporting Android Auto - most reputed manufacturers like pioneer, Sony etc have these.

My take is that, you should first try to see if your use cases are satisfied by the option 2 (Android auto from reputed manufacturers). This is the best solution and generally towards either better or same quality of sound as your current system.

However, I myself have installed a woodman android system on my XUV... Why?
Because, the XUV has a bunch of status like ac status etc coming on the same screen as the music system and to get that, I needed to get the canbus adapter which only works well with the Chinese systems. Secondly, the frames for every car differ and for XUV without a 2-din attachment, it would become complex to fit in a 2-din system from pioneer or Sony and such. Chinese systems fill this void by supplying the front frames compatible with cars like XUV which dont directly support a 2 din system.
Thirdly, compatibility with steering controls is another reason to choose the woodman, but I am guessing this may be possible to achieve with pioneer/Sony types too.

Can you tell us which car you are looking for? May be we can suggest better based on that. BHPian  
Join Date: Jul Location: Mumbai Posts: 111 Thanked: 130 Times Re: The Android Head-Unit buying guide Quote: Originally Posted by deep_bang #2 is the easiest and most compatible option and should work with almost all phones. Rather than looking for an android system, I would look for a system that's android-auto compatible. Now, what's the difference? This has been the most clear explanation I have got from anywhere on the internet, thank you so much

Quote: Originally Posted by deep_bang Android systems - run android natively and you basically get something like a android 10 running on the system, with apps just like on your . The bottom range of these start from 10-15k for a 2gb/16gb variant. Models include woodman and such, mostly rebranded Chinese versions. I agree, they are basically Tablets. However, dont they now come with 'DSP chips' themselves, which enable good quality audio?
Btw - this is my dilemma as well, since I really have no use of all the various 'apps' on it (since many in my family have motion sickness, so they wont be watching videos on the screen anyway). The main use is going to be - reverse parking camera, Google Maps (most imp.!) and basic radio/music.
How laggy is the Google Maps on these 'tablets' with 2GB ram, that it necessitates need of Andriod-Auto / Car-play ?

Quote: Originally Posted by deep_bang Non-Android systems but supporting Android Auto - most reputed manufacturers like pioneer, Sony etc have these. My Toyota Urban Cruiser (basically Brezza) car can take a 9 inch screen. But the 9" ones of these brands becomes super expensive >25K as far as I have found. Plz correct me if I am wrong.

Quote: Originally Posted by deep_bang Because, the XUV has a bunch of status like ac status etc coming on the same screen as the music system and to get that, I needed to get the canbus adapter which only works well with the Chinese systems.
Thirdly, compatibility with steering controls is another reason to choose the woodman, but I am guessing this may be possible to achieve with pioneer/Sony types too. That was my 4th use-case (after rev.camera/GMaps/Music), of being able to see the car info (mileage, trips, doo-ajar & other notifications) that come on the MID, on the larger screen using the CANBUS. Does the CANBUS come with the andriod-units, or do we need to get it from the dealer? My dealer seems to be oblivious of 'canbus'.

Quote: Originally Posted by deep_bang Can you tell us which car you are looking for? May be we can suggest better based on that. Mine is an Urban Cruiser (rebadged Brezza). I can find that Hypersonic (here) & Hamaan (here) do have compatible screens. There are many others as well - Nippon, JVC, Bassholic, unplug, etc. It's all getting very confusing.
All I want is a 9" screen that can show rev-parking, Google Maps, Radio/Music & Car-info via Canbus (bonus). Plz share your thoughts & suggestions. BHPian  
Join Date: Jul Location: Pune|Vijayawada Posts: 57 Thanked: 23 Times Re: The Android Head-Unit buying guide Posting a detailed install and initial impressions here

Model: Woodman Xtreme 3.0 4GB/64Gb
Price: 35k (after negotiation with sales guy)
Installation: /- Done at home


Celebrating freedom from outdated stereos

Background
I drive a model pre-owned ANHC. I got it from an individualy seller in pristine condition at 35k kms in . I was really analysing how long I am going to keep this car given it's and all the developments that have taken place. I recently went in for a tire upsize (Continental UC6 195/60/R15). Post which I have been really enjoying zooming down the highways of AP. I thought - at 87k kms the car feels sprightly. There are no issues and these tyres have solved GC issues and imbued new light and comfort in the car. All that's missing is an updated 'smart' music system.

Thus began the research: After going through 4-5 days of TBHP, understanding basics of android HU and youtube videos, I decided to go in for the Woodman. Conceptually I knew what I was going for, and although would have loved to go for Alpine or some such established one, it could have resulted in compatibility issues (not sure) and too much high cost at HU level itself.

The Purchase

I wrote an to woodman's support id and a sales guy reached out. We whatsapped for 3-4 days where he sent multiple videos, answered arbitrary questions about screen resolution, service, compatibility, etc. Finally analysed multiple things about how long to keep the car, transferability, etc and took the plunge. Bargained with him to reduce the price as much as possible.

Delivery came in 3 days after ordering - 13th August. I wanted to get the install done on Sunday, but Vijayawada most of the showroom workforce is off on Sundays, as I discovered. The Woodman people recommended an installer and I called him. He sent the installer home on 15th August morning.

The guy did it beautifully in a very unhurried manner. Took 1.5 hours. Took good measurements to install reverse camera and left the car and panels looking as is, after he was done. Really impressed with the methodical approach to the install. He said in the last month he had installed 20 odd woodman systems in VJA itself and that seems to be the most preferred online brand. Other than that local brands are there which people can go for based on their budget he mentioned. Now whether it's genuinely the case, or he said it just to reduce potential buyer's remorse, I don't know.

Initial Impressions

Good responsiveness. Easy to link accounts and setup. Reverse camera, steering controls, radio, works perfectly based on a brief drive I did. GPS is accurate. Bluetooth pairing is a breeze. SQ sounded maybe 10% better on streamed songs, but I need to do a detailed listening to see if it improved due to so called DSP or it was more or less same from before. Need to still check android auto, mirroring and sim related features.

Another thing- While it is snappy, I'd say the overall interface is quite basic. 720p screen after being used to p or higher on most other screens definitely noticeable, but the default big size of the UI makes it easy to navigate. I still need to play around with various settings and tweak and maybe even explore other launcher options. Looking forward to a renewed car ownership experience thanks to updated ICE

Like I posted in the advice section as well, I'm planning a step by step upgrade and thanks to Michelin star recommendations from a Guru, thinking I'll drive down to Chennai and go to Speedfreaks after setting up an appointment to ensure timely delivery.

Some pictures: Last edited by sultanofswing : 15th August at 20:15. BHPian  
Join Date: Mar Location: Bangalore / Boise Posts: 943 Thanked: 1,536 Times Re: The Android Head-Unit buying guide Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt This has been the most clear explanation I have got from anywhere on the internet, thank you so much Thank you!!
Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt I agree, they are basically Tablets. However, dont they now come with 'DSP chips' themselves, which enable good quality audio?
Btw - this is my dilemma as well, since I really have no use of all the various 'apps' on it (since many in my family have motion sickness, so they wont be watching videos on the screen anyway). The main use is going to be - reverse parking camera, Google Maps (most imp.!) and basic radio/music.
How laggy is the Google Maps on these 'tablets' with 2GB ram, that it necessitates need of Andriod-Auto / Car-play ? The 2GB RAM versions are slow as far as input goes. It takes a second or 2 for the UI operations to work. However, assuming you would have already checked the destination on your , the same history would show up on the head unit too, and makes it easier to choose your destination.
Once chosen, the display is as fast as it can be wrt updating the screen. Turns and Navigation works perfectly fine even on my 2GB system.

It also goes into a windowed mode, if you go to a different app - say you are playing a song on an app, maps will go to windowed mode.

Just expect it to be functional, but not snappy - thats what i would warn about.

Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt My Toyota Urban Cruiser (basically Brezza) car can take a 9 inch screen. But the 9" ones of these brands becomes super expensive >25K as far as I have found. Plz correct me if I am wrong. Hmm. My opinion is that, if you are not dependent on any canbus issues or support for steering controls, and if you are an audiophile, the branded systems are any day better even if they are about 10k more expensive.

Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt That was my 4th use-case (after rev.camera/GMaps/Music), of being able to see the car info (mileage, trips, doo-ajar & other notifications) that come on the MID, on the larger screen using the CANBUS. Does the CANBUS come with the andriod-units, or do we need to get it from the dealer? My dealer seems to be oblivious of 'canbus'. If you already have this data on your MID, then i would suggest not to have this as a requirement. Canbus requires an extra hardware adapter which itself is about 4 to 5k. Also, support for canbus may or may not be iffy - a lot of this is very unclear and dependent on whether the software has knowledge of the codes for your particular car. So, you will need to check with someone who is selling the unit to see what will work for your car and what will not. For example, for XUV500, the seller was clear that TPMS wont work, but AC controls, reverse parking sensors, steering controls all work.

Quote: Originally Posted by hanzt Mine is an Urban Cruiser (rebadged Brezza). I can find that Hypersonic (here) & Hamaan (here) do have compatible screens. There are many others as well - Nippon, JVC, Bassholic, unplug, etc. It's all getting very confusing.
All I want is a 9" screen that can show rev-parking, Google Maps, Radio/Music & Car-info via Canbus (bonus). Plz share your thoughts & suggestions. There is no easy answer unless someone who has actually installed a unit on a brezza/urban cruiser can comment. What i can is that these chinese units (Whether woodman or Hamaan - took some time to realize its not Harman), do provide decent features at a decent price point, but WILL NOT match the factory-like usability. You just need to set your expectations accordingly and that's why they are also priced lower than the pioneers and the sony's of the world. Last edited by deep_bang : 16th August at 11:39. Newbie  
Join Date: Nov Location: Pune Posts: 10 Thanked: 40 Times Re: The Android Head-Unit buying guide I've a Duster, and I was looking for an android head unit for some time, finally took a plunge.
Got MyTVS 2GB/16GB version, wanted to go for a higher version but had couple of observations and finally decided to go for a lower unit.
It is a 9" screen, with Duster original frame being 7", it does sit outside a bit, but doesn't look bad as many stock units also have a "floating" approach now a days.

Checked lot of systems, most of them were a bit laggy (not the 4GB/64GB ones though) to start with.
Initial application load was always a bit slow. When the car is idle, it would not make a difference but if you want to open maps while driving, it does seem slow.
Same goes with the few music apps I tried.

An alternative to that is Android Auto enabled systems. Although it might not make sense to limit the functionality by using Android Auto, when one can use a full fledged android experience, but there were few points to consider:

- Android auto UI extremely easy to use
- Absolutely no lag (even with my 2GB system)
- No need to connect wifi etc
- No need to install additional apps on the head unit
- SMS//messages etc work natively (reading out messages aloud if needed)
- My primary use case if of maps/music/podcast, this is fully addressed by Android auto

The unit I bought did not have android auto enabled by default, I installed an app called "Headunit reloaded", after that wired android auto connection was seamless.

Here are few of the points regarding overall installation:

- It took around 2-2.5 hours to install the whole thing.
- No wires were cut, and overall installation was neatly done.
- Additional GPS unit was added, and USB input was moved to the glove compartment.
- I had an aftermarket reverse camera (and sensor setup), this was not compatible with the unit. Camera was replaced (sensors still do not work, and need to be changed)
- Vendor mentioned that CANBUS would be needed for duster to get steering controls to work, got it installed. Most of the buttons work but Prev/Next behaviour is erratic

I've been using the unit for a week now. Maps/Music/Podcast is through Android auto (which as I mentioned earlier is seamless and a breeze to use).
If I want to view YouTube/video, then I use to apps installed on the Headunit. These apps, once loaded, work as expected and I not faced any issues so far.


One of my friends got MyTVS 2GB/32GB version, and that has Android auto (and Carplay I think) in build.
That unit also allows Android auto connection, the price difference is not much as well.


Overall I'm happy with the purchase, I would have been disappointed with the performance if not for Android auto. I'll be visiting the vendor to sort out Prev/Next and reverse issue.

Some snaps...