Android Auto has been my go-to infotainment platform for years.
Apple CarPlay was never really on my radar, mostly because I was happy with Android Auto.
However, curiosity got the better of me. I connected my iPhone to my car and used Apple CarPlay exclusively for an entire month.
I expected a familiar experience with a few Apple-centric touches, but I was in for a surprise.
CarPlay looks more polished than Android Auto
Apple understands how to use limited screen space
One thing that immediately caught my attention was how polished Apple CarPlay looks compared to Android Auto.
Apple’s Liquid Glass design works beautifully on my car’s 8-inch infotainment screen.
From the translucent interface elements and redesigned app icons to the subtle animations, everything feels thoughtfully put together.
CarPlay feels like a natural extension of iOS on my iPhone 17, not a separate interface designed for my car. I appreciate the visual consistency.
Don’t get me wrong, Android Auto is perfectly functional, but its current interface is starting to show its age.
Thankfully, Google is working on a major redesign with Material 3 Expressive and smoother animations. I can’t wait to test it.
CarPlay also works better on my Hyundai’s 8-inch screen. Instead of taking over the entire display, an incoming call appears in a smaller panel.
I also appreciate the Smart Display Zoom option, which can optimize the interface scaling on compatible displays.
On my unit, it made the icons a bit bigger, so the entire interface is easier for me to navigate.
Even works with third-party apps
One of my favorite additions to Apple CarPlay is widget support. I initially thought it would be limited to Apple’s apps.
But I was pleasantly surprised by what third-party apps can do.
I can bring widgets from productivity tools like Microsoft To Do, Outlook, and even Asana to my car’s dashboard.
I can go to CarPlay settings on my iPhone and create a couple of widget stacks for support widgets.
While driving, I can swipe up or down and glance at useful information in no time.
Widgets like Asana help me keep track of upcoming tasks, and Outlook lets me check my next appointment before I hit the road.
It’s a thoughtful productivity upgrade that lets me check important information at a glance without constantly reaching for my phone.
I missed my favorite Android Auto music apps
Poweramp and Musicolet
Apple CarPlay supports all the popular music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music.
However, I missed one Android Auto app throughout my month-long experiment: Poweramp.
I have been using Poweramp to manage my offline music collection, and it has become an essential part of my daily driving experience.
Unlike typical streaming apps, Poweramp gives me complete control over my locally stored music.
I can browse my collection by folders, albums, and artists, without dealing with recommendations or sketchy internet connections.
However, the biggest reason I keep coming back to Poweramp is its powerful audio engine and equalizer.
I can fine-tune the sound output to suit my car’s speakers, and the difference is noticeable.
Unfortunately, Poweramp isn’t available on iOS or CarPlay.
Siri still has some catching up to do
It turned out to be a deal breaker
As much as I enjoyed Apple CarPlay’s polished interface, Siri was my biggest disappointment and ultimately a dealbreaker.
After using Gemini on Android Auto for months, going back to Siri felt like a major downgrade.
Gemini understands natural language, handles complex requests, and lets me get things done without memorizing specific voice commands.
In my experience with CarPlay, Siri is nowhere close to that level.
For instance, I can ask Gemini to send my ETA to someone on WhatsApp or describe a scene from a movie and have it find and play a track from YouTube Music.
With Siri, I often had to simplify my requests or break them into separate commands.
Siri can handle basic tasks like making calls, sending messages, setting reminders, and starting navigation.
However, if I try anything slightly more complicated, its limitations become apparent.
For someone who relies heavily on voice controls while driving, this was easily the biggest reason I missed Android Auto.
CarPlay is polished, but Android Auto feels more powerful
After spending an entire month with Apple CarPlay, I can see why iPhone users love it.
There are several things I wish Google would borrow from Apple’s approach.
However, looks and widgets aren’t everything.
I missed Poweramp and Gemini’s powerful cross-app voice capabilities.
Siri simply couldn’t keep up with how I use my infotainment system every day.
CarPlay exceeded my expectations in some areas, but it also reminded me why I prefer Android Auto.
