4 the reason why I desire CarPlay over Android Auto

To start with, let’s make one thing clear — I’ve nothing in opposition to Android or Android Auto. Whereas my day by day machine is an iPhone 16 Pro, I’ve owned a number of Android telephones through the years, and I might really like extra excuses to make use of Android when driving. I need to see the complete scope of what fashionable smartphone tech presents, particularly in the case of integrating with EVs.

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

1 CarPlay appears to be extra steady

Your mileage might differ

Whereas Android Auto is hardly a catastrophic mess, CarPlay is extra dependable total. It has an unfair benefit, after all — there are far fewer iPhones in the marketplace than there are Android units, and all of them come from a single firm, so it is inherently simpler to troubleshoot. A fancy technical scenario is a part of the value Android customers pay for having extra app, machine, and interface decisions.

Usually, I might facet with product freedom, however reliability is totally important while you’re driving. At finest, nobody desires to should fiddle with their cellphone earlier than beginning their work commute. In excessive situations, a bug might get somebody misplaced, or trigger a distraction on the worst attainable 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 nations, anyway

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Merely put, it is extra seemingly that any automobile you purchase, lease, or lease will help CarPlay, whether or not outdated or new. It should not be a shock — whereas Android is an open-source platform utilized by a wide range of cellphone makers, iPhones are extra well-liked 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 means, and even Korean automakers cannot fake that the majority People have a Samsung cellphone. Compounding every part, Apple received a head begin, since CarPlay launched in late 2014 — a number of months forward of Android Auto. You might probably purchase a decade-old junker that is CarPlay-ready.

Android Auto is more and more commonplace and sometimes accessible 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 a bit 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 robotically in its multi-app dashboard. As I method 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 at any time when I am inside vary.

We might see Google leapfrog Apple at any time when it will get round to integrating Gemini into Android Auto — think about with the ability to inform your automotive “placed on my favourite music whereas I drive to work, however I have to 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 really take pleasure in the truth that fewer apps run in CarPlay than Android Auto. After I’m about to drive someplace, I do not desire a lengthy listing of apps to kind by way of — I desire a handful of optimized ones. I care even much less about Android making it simpler to drive video apps like Netflix to work. As good as that could be whereas sitting at a charging station, or ready to select up my son from college, I might slightly 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. This can be a minor and extremely subjective level, however with CarPlay, I do not really feel like I am lacking out on the polish firms 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 a bit underwhelming at occasions.

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