Apple Carplay and Android Auto act as interfaces that connect the iPhone or Android smartphone with the infotainment system of a motor vehicle. This makes it possible to use Google Maps for navigation or Spotify for music. However, this assumes that the infotainment system is compatible. What do you do if your own car doesn’t do that? One option is to replace the car radio or infotainment system. We explain what you should pay attention to in our guide to retrofitting your car: Apple Carplay, Android Auto, DAB+ & Co. for used cars. This is sometimes very expensive and not possible with every model.
For some time now, displays for retrofitting Apple Carplay and Android Auto have been popping up like mushrooms. The devices are reminiscent of a tablet; they are attached to the cockpit of the car like a navigation device. The smartphone is connected to these small monitors via Bluetooth and can be retrofitted with Android Auto or Apple Carplay at a comparatively low cost. Depending on the model, the screens themselves send the audio signal to the existing car radio in the older car via AUX cable, FM transmitter or even Bluetooth.
How big are the displays?
Displays for retrofitting Android Auto and Apple Carplay are available in different sizes. These range from compact models with around 7 inches to large screens in widescreen format with around 10 inches in ultra-widescreen format. A suction cup for the dashboard or windshield is usually used for attachment; there are also variants that can be stuck in the cockpit using a holder.
The small models disrupt the field of vision less. However, they then offer less space for displaying Google Maps and Spotify at the same time. A display in widescreen format is sometimes better suited for this – as long as it doesn’t obscure the driver’s view. The standard display technology is LCD, the resolution ranges from 1024 × 600 pixels to 1600 × 600 pixels.
What transfer options are there?
Although the displays often have built-in speakers, they sound terrible and are so quiet that you can’t hear anything while driving. In order to get the sound from the screen into the car radio, most devices offer an FM transmitter. This sends audio signals as an FM radio wave over a short distance so that the car radio can receive them. To do this, you set the desired frequency on the display and then select it on the radio. The advantage: This works with almost every car. The disadvantage: The sound quality is significantly worse than with a cable connection or via Bluetooth, and interference signals or other radio stations can overwhelm the reception and thus disrupt it.
The connection works better via cable via the AUX input of the car radio. Problem: Not every radio offers this. In addition, disturbing noises are also possible here, as with one of the test candidates. A few displays also allow transmission to the vehicle via Bluetooth. Here too, the built-in radio must first support this. The monitor also requires dual Bluetooth if you want to connect the smartphone wirelessly to the screen at the same time. Alternatively, you can use a USB cable from your cell phone to the screen.
1st place: Carpuride W708 Pro – the compact test winner
This is our test winner Carpuride W708 Pro (Review). With its compact dimensions, the 7-inch display hardly disturbs the field of vision. The suction cup holder with telescopic arm sits firmly and allows adjustment in the driver’s line of sight. This makes the device the first choice for a small car. An FM transmitter, AUX cable and Bluetooth are available for connection to the car radio. Thanks to dual Bluetooth, you can connect the smartphone and the radio wirelessly at the same time.
Carpuride W708 Pro – photo series
Carpuride W708 Pro – photo series
However, there are also a few catches: If you have a Bluetooth connection to the car radio, you cannot select the next track using the steering wheel remote control (if available). At least Carpuride includes a separate steering wheel remote control that you wrap around the steering wheel like a wristwatch, but it can initially be annoying when driving. Much more serious: When there were incoming calls, the device played them through the internal speakers, not the radio. For this reason we had to go back to the cable connection. The sound quality is also not optimal, but better than via Bluetooth.
Despite these limitations, the range of functions and compact form factor as well as the reliability and mounting options speak for it. The Carpuride W708 Pro costs directly from the manufacturer 237 Euro. The W708 without dual Bluetooth costs with remote control 218 Euro.
2nd place: Carpuride W901 – a good compromise
At 9 inches diagonally that is Carpuride W901 (Test report) slightly larger than the first place, which leads to significantly more screen space – but can also restrict the field of vision. There is a holder with a suction cup and a pull-out arm available for installation, as well as another that can be glued to the dashboard.
Our test device connects to the radio either via an AUX cable or an FM transmitter. A connection via Bluetooth is possible, but it didn’t always work reliably. In this case, you also have to connect the smartphone to the monitor using a cable. There is now a Pro version with dual Bluetooth. However, the sound quality has room for improvement.
3rd place: Carpuride W103 – the largest display
If you are looking for a really large display in widescreen format, you should take a look at this Carpuride W103 (test report) throw. The 10.3-inch monster is more suitable for large sedans, SUVs or vans. At least there is a suction cup mount with a telescopic arm so that you can position the display so that it hardly disturbs your field of vision. The large and wide format means you can easily see Google Maps and Spotify at the same time.
Carpuride W103 – photo gallery
Carpuride W103 – photo gallery
The device was only able to play calls via Bluetooth connection on the Pro version correctly via the car radio after a firmware update. The Carpuride W103 costs around 260 Euro. The variant W103 Pro with dual Bluetooth is included 288 Euro.
4th place: Podofo 2023 Portable Car Stereo – bargain with widescreen
It’s surprisingly inexpensive Podofo 2023 Portable Car Stereo for Wireless Apple Carplay & Android Auto. We have the display with great skepticism Ordered from Aliexpress with 9.3 inches in diagonal. For the price, the workmanship looks surprisingly good compared to the other models on this list of the best, and the image quality even leaves the best impression. Sound transmission is possible via dual Bluetooth, cable or FM transmitter.
Podofo 2023 Portable Car Stereo
Podofo 2023 Portable Car Stereo
There’s even a dashcam integrated into the display – but we don’t use it because the screen on the dashboard would be extremely annoying. And here we come to the biggest problem with the chunky display: It is simply huge, and unfortunately there is no holder with a suction cup and telescopic arm like the Carpuride. You have to glue the attachment onto the fittings. In a small car, the large screen is extremely annoying. We therefore helped ourselves out with a tablet holder for the car. This didn’t really fit, so some tinkering was necessary.
Problems with the sound were much more annoying. A crackling and hissing sound was clearly audible when the cable connection was established. We didn’t have the problem via Bluetooth. We were then able to eliminate the noise on the cable with a small adapter for 50 cents. The Podofo 2023 Portable Car Stereo currently only costs 65 Euro on Aliexpress.
5th place: Awesafe Wireless Carplay Android Auto Display – compact & affordable
This is a compact and inexpensive alternative Awesafe Wireless Carplay Android Auto Display with 7 inches. As with the Carpuride models, the workmanship doesn’t seem particularly high-quality. The monitor has one peculiarity: There is a small sun visor on the top edge. The suction cup attachment is similar to the Carpuride solution and is just as practical.
Awesafe Wireless Carplay Android Auto Display
Awesafe Wireless Carplay Android Auto Display
In addition to Android Auto and Apple Carplay, the display also supports Mirror Link. The device has one major weak point: audio transmission to the radio is only possible via an FM transmitter. This actually works well, but is a bit quiet. The device also supports Bluetooth, but this is used to connect to the smartphone. The scope of delivery includes a very bulky and ugly remote control. Mounting it on the steering wheel is quite complicated – and the thing simply gets in the way when driving and doesn’t work properly.
Due to these weaknesses in the features, the screen ends up in last place. But if you only use a car radio that doesn’t have an AUX input and don’t want to take up much space, you’ll find an inexpensive solution here to retrofit Android Auto or Apple Carplay. The Monitor from Awesafe only costs on Amazon 64 Euro (Select coupon with a 20 percent discount).
Alternatives
There are now a large number of devices from mostly unknown manufacturers that we have not tested yet. Technically, most devices seem to be very similar. Compact 7-inch screens are available on Amazon starting at 60 euros, and Aliexpress even offers some for 40 euros. But you shouldn’t expect too much from the quality here.
Conclusion
Car displays or monitors are an inexpensive way to retrofit older vehicles with modern interfaces for mobile devices such as Apple Carplay or Android Auto. The devices are installed like a navigation device. However, the Chinese models have some technical pitfalls and quality defects.