When are Apple CarPlay portable displays really worth it?

CarPlay has become a must-have for many drivers. This is no surprise, as it makes life a lot easier when it comes to accessing your iPhone apps in the car. Navigation, music, messages, all directly on the dashboard. And while there are more than 800 CarPlay-enabled vehicles, you might have one that’s not on the list. But no, you don’t need to trade in your car. Some portable displays can give you CarPlay for much less. They’re not as good as integrated systems, but they get the job done.

Despite all the convenience that CarPlay offers, some automakers are getting rid of it. GM, for example, has decided to phase out CarPlay and Android Auto from its electric vehicles. Yes, many people like CarPlay. But they want you to use their own systems. It’s an understandable business decision, considering some even charge you to unlock extra features in their cars. Getting a portable CarPlay screen turns out to be a good way to get around this problem.

Unlike buying a new car, getting one of these portable CarPlay screens won’t cost you much. You can find several for under $50. Even if you pay $150 for one of these, it’s still a lot cheaper than a new car. Some have larger screens and will cost more, and some very cheap ones might be better avoided – these generally have very poor touchscreens. Start by choosing the right size. Most of them are between 6 and 11 inches. Some users find large screens too distracting, so it may be worth choosing a smaller one. Smaller screens are also easier to install in your car.

But size isn’t the only thing that matters here. There are other specifications you should consider, such as screen resolution. Some portable screens have very low resolution. It’s not like any of these displays were designed for watching 4K video – they weren’t. But opting for a low-resolution screen will make everything look terrible, from text to icons. Look for screens with a resolution of at least 1280 x 720 pixels. The audio output is also a big plus. Most of these displays have terrible speakers, so make sure you choose one that supports AUX, Bluetooth, or FM for audio playback. Also make sure you have wireless CarPlay instead of wired CarPlay. Not all portable displays allow you to use CarPlay without a cable.

Even though these portable displays are designed for CarPlay, some of them offer interesting additional features. Many models include built-in dash cameras with microSD loop recording. Others may be equipped with a rear camera, which is ideal for adding parking assistance to your old car. Also keep an eye on how the screen attaches to your dashboard. Some of them have very unstable stands and you don’t want your screen to fly off when you turn a corner. And keep an eye on the screens that come with Android built-in. This doesn’t matter for running CarPlay, but it allows you to install apps that can work without your iPhone.

As you can see, purchasing one of these portable displays is an easy way to get around the lack of CarPlay. They work and cost less than renovating your car’s integrated system. Of course, they won’t look like a factory system, but that’s not a problem. For the price, you’re still getting a good deal.