4 explanation why I favor CarPlay over Android Auto

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing towards Android or Android Auto. Whereas my every day gadget is an iPhone 16 Pro, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones over time, and I might truly like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I need to see the total scope of what trendy smartphone tech affords, particularly on the subject of integrating with EVs.

In the event you pressured me to choose an in-car platform, although, I might in all probability go along with CarPlay. There are just a few explanation why, a few of which boil right down to pure desire. I am even anticipating to have my opinion swayed sooner or later, whether or not by extra time with Android Auto, or future upgrades. Perhaps Apple will truly launch its next-generation CarPlay sooner or later, however I am not holding my breath on that one.

1 CarPlay appears to be extra steady

Your mileage could fluctuate

Whereas Android Auto is hardly a catastrophic mess, CarPlay is extra dependable general. It has an unfair benefit, in fact — there are far fewer iPhones available on the market than there are Android gadgets, and all of them come from a single firm, so it is inherently simpler to troubleshoot. A posh technical scenario is a part of the value Android customers pay for having extra app, gadget, and interface selections.

Usually, I might facet with product freedom, however reliability is totally important while you’re driving. At greatest, nobody desires to must fiddle with their telephone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive eventualities, a bug might get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst doable time. Contemplate an expertise from Apple’s personal historical past — the unique model of Apple Maps led some drivers into the Australian desert.

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2 Wider automobile compatibility

In lots of international locations, anyway

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Merely put, it is extra possible that any automobile you purchase, lease, or lease will help CarPlay, whether or not previous or new. It should not be a shock — whereas Android is an open-source platform utilized by a wide range of telephone makers, iPhones are extra common within the US and Canada, in addition to Germany, Japan, and the UK. It simply is smart for native automakers to focus their growth Apple’s approach, and even Korean automakers cannot fake that almost all People have a Samsung telephone. Compounding every part, Apple obtained a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You can probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and sometimes obtainable side-by-side with CarPlay, so this is not essentially an enormous benefit anymore. However for automotive buying or journey, it is in all probability safer to have an iPhone in your pocket.

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3 Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem

The cliché is true

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To Google’s credit score, Android Auto is more and more well-designed and well-integrated with the remainder of Android. I am somewhat jealous, in reality — I (and lots of different iPhone house owners) would like it if CarPlay was tied into Google Maps and Google Calendar as a substitute of Apple’s personal apps. However the CarPlay expertise tends to be smoother, and can even pop up iOS Calendar occasions and HomeKit controls mechanically in its multi-app dashboard. As I strategy my house, I can set off my storage door opener with out having to arrange a routine or speak to a voice assistant, since a button seems onscreen each time I am inside vary.

We might see Google leapfrog Apple each time it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about having the ability to inform your automotive “placed on my favourite music whereas I drive to work, however I must go to a charging station first.” It appears unlikely that Apple Intelligence will deal with something like that till Siri will get a rumored overhaul in 2026.

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4 A narrower, extra polished expertise

Much less is extra

It sounds counterintuitive, however I truly take pleasure in the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. After I’m about to drive someplace, I do not need a lengthy listing of apps to kind by — I need a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to pressure video apps like Netflix to work. As good as that could be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to choose up my son from faculty, I might quite nobody in my automotive (myself included) be tempted to look at Smiling Pals or Downton Abbey whereas they’re flying down the freeway.

CarPlay additionally feels extra visually slick than Android Auto. It is a minor and extremely subjective level, however with CarPlay, I do not really feel like I am lacking out on the polish corporations like Rivian and Tesla pour into their all-in-one working techniques. Android Auto is extra utilitarian — one thing I respect, however does really feel somewhat underwhelming at instances.

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