An affordable wireless display for adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to older vehicles is an easy-to-install way to upgrade your car, and now it’s 57 percent off. The 7-inch HD touch screen somehow gets its power from a cigarette lighter, connects to your phone via Bluetooth and magically provides hands-free navigation, calls, text messages, music control and phone mirroring in nearly any car for $59.97 (MSRP $139.99). No stereo swap, no wiring loom, no trip to the shop.
A Straightforward Route To Intelligent In-Car Features
The appeal is simple: this little screen acts just like a wireless CarPlay and Android Auto hub, putting your favorite maps app above all else, speaking out any text messages you receive and starting playlists on command. Audio streams to your stock speakers via Bluetooth or the included 3.5mm aux cable, preserving your vehicle’s original audio system (letting any changes be checked by a dealer).
- A Straightforward Route To Intelligent In-Car Features
- Why This Matters For Older Cars And Daily Drivers
- Setup And Compatibility For Most Vehicles And Phones
- Safety And Legal Considerations For Using Add-On Screens
- Value Check Against Alternatives And Common Trade-Offs
- Bottom Line On This Wireless CarPlay And Android Auto Deal
Because it looks like smartphone interfaces built for driving, there’s little learning curve. Siri and Google Assistant handle voice requests, and the large on-screen targets are less dangerous for a tap at a red light. It’s plug-and-play: attach the display to your dash or windshield, plug in power, pair your phone and you’re ready to go.
Why This Matters For Older Cars And Daily Drivers
Drivers are keeping their wheels longer than ever. The average age of a car in the U.S. according to S&P Global Mobility is more than 12 years old, meaning millions of commuters who spend their days driving are locked out from built-in connectivity. An aftermarket head unit with a name-brand touchscreen can easily reach into the hundreds of dollars before installation. Meanwhile, this portable screen provides most of the daily-use rewards — maps, media and messaging along with voice control — for a fraction of the price of busting open your dashboard.
The timing also fits with what drivers say they actually desire. J.D. Power research has repeatedly found that owners favor smartphone projection systems such as CarPlay and Android Auto over many infotainment suites built into vehicles. This is where a rapid, reversible upgrade that works across cars, whether it’s your daily driver or second car — or even a rental — would meet the preference without locking you down to one system.
Setup And Compatibility For Most Vehicles And Phones
Installation is about as light-touch as it could be. The attachment comes with a standard adhesive or suction, plugs into a 12V outlet or USB and pairs to your phone via Bluetooth. When connected, CarPlay or Android Auto pop up wirelessly as the system boots. If your car is Bluetooth audio compatible, the display can seamlessly hand off sound; if not, plug in an aux cable to feed your head unit directly.
Since it’s a separate screen, you don’t need a car that already has CarPlay or Android Auto. That’s a vital difference from wireless adapters that, to start, require factory CarPlay. The HD touch panel continues to make navigation and media easy to read, while the ability to mirror your phone provides a fallback for apps that aren’t CarPlay or Android Auto friendly. It’s a functional upgrade for commuting, new drivers, rideshare vehicles and any vehicle that doesn’t want to pimp its own dashboard.
Safety And Legal Considerations For Using Add-On Screens
Any in-car screen should support good driving practices. NHTSA estimates that it’s a factor in thousands of injuries and more than 3,000 deaths each year. That’s why voice commands are important: being able to launch directions, dictate a text or switch your music without ever taking your eyes off the road isn’t just an amenity — it’s safety. Mount the display low and within reach, adhere to local laws on windshield attachments, and use voice-enabled AI for interactions instead of typing things in when you’re moving. Consumer Reports and safety experts consistently advise limiting interaction with it and requiring screens to be within your natural line of sight.
Value Check Against Alternatives And Common Trade-Offs
Aftermarket head units that support wireless CarPlay cost on average between $300 and $800 before installation. Portable displays from well-known brands can easily cost between $100–$250. Wireless CarPlay adapters cost $70–$120, but they only help if your car already has wired CarPlay. At $59.97, this 7-inch screen is less expensive than all of those while functioning in vehicles that don’t include any kind of smartphone integration at all. The trade-offs — an extra screen and tangles of cables — are often relatively small compared to the expense and hassle of a permanent retrofit.
Bottom Line On This Wireless CarPlay And Android Auto Deal
If you’ve been thinking about a new car because of the infotainment system, which is the main point of interest in this 57 percent off sale, that’s a smarter detour. For a fraction of that, you can get wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, pump audio through your existing speakers and keep your dashboard intact. It’s a sensible, reversible modification that provides the features drivers report they value most — without the new-car payment.