Men try out a $46 cheap Apple CarPlay and Android Auto adapter to see if it's better than expensive alternatives
Published on Sep 20, 2026 at 8:07 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Sep 20, 2026 at 8:07 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Ben Thompson
Two mechanics from the UK have tried out a cheap $46 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto adapter from a leading supermarket.
YouTuber Joe Betty from Shifting Metal, along with Ben Thompson, bought the budget device from the middle aisle at Aldi.
At a cost of just £34.99, roughly $46, it looked like it could be a great alternative to more expensive options.
The question is, would it work, and if so, would it work well enough to use in a car?
Why devices like this are attractive purchases
There seems to be an influx of these devices being released at the moment.
These are designed to go into cars that do not have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay available via official means.
So if your car isn’t new enough to support those systems, this is a clever workaround.
It plugs into the auxiliary port in cars, has a separate power cable, and allows you to connect to your phone.
It then gives you Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality without breaking the bank.
What Thompson and Joe Betty wanted to find out was whether it was any good.
Or was it budget-priced for a reason and belonged in the bargain bin section?
How the mechanics got on with the Apple CarPlay adapter
The biggest problem the two mechanics seemed to encounter was where to put the device.
“I think that might take up too much of the view,” said Thompson, noting the screen was too big.
Driving around with a potential windshield obstruction may not end well.
“This thing is horrible, this bracket,” the mechanic added about the bracket that came with it.
They did eventually get it mounted to the center of the car, even if it was temporary, just to test it out.
Connecting the phone was a little fiddly as well, but they did manage to get the audio to come through to the car.
How good was the budget CarPlay system?
“It’s growing on me actually,” Thompson said, as he played around with it.
The touchscreen controls seemed quite intuitive, and it had a good brightness dimmer for night driving.
He was also happy that it didn’t have too many complicated features.
It had CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation, and allowed him to stream his music while driving.
The biggest issue was still the adapter and setting up the device in a car.
However, the simple nature of it meant it wasn’t trying to do too many things at once.
“It actually seems pretty good, quite user-friendly as well, and it’s got all the features you’d want,” said Betty.
So for just $46, it seemed like an excellent buy.
So much so that he had actually bought a second one to fit into another car.
Apple CarPlay timeline
June 2013: Apple introduces its automotive vision at WWDC under the name “iOS in the Car”
March 2014: The system is rebranded to CarPlay and officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show
September 2014: The Ferrari FF hits the market as the first production vehicle to feature the software
2015–2016: Major automakers like GM, Honda, and VW begin rolling out support across standard models
February 2017: The first wireless connection option makes its debut in the BMW 5 Series
January 2018: Toyota finally ends its holdout and adds the tech to its 2019 Avalon lineup
2020: A major dashboard update brings a split-screen view and expanded third-party navigation
June 2022: A next-generation, multi-screen digital cluster interface is previewed at WWDC
May 2025: The “Ultra” tier debuts alongside deep digital dashboard integration for Aston Martin
August 2026: The iOS 27 update introduces AI voice upgrades and parked video playback
Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
