This Adapter Upgrades Wired CarPlay to a Full Android Computer

Android Auto wireless comes with obvious benefits, but one of the most important is improved reliability. Cables are very often the culprits of major stability and reliability problems, causing all kinds of weird problems when you expect them the least.

The market is now expanding, and CARLUEX PRO+ is one of the latest additions, promising a wireless experience and something you can't find everywhere.

This little device, which builds on the popularity of its predecessor, converts wired CarPlay into a full Android computer. As uncanny as that may sound for a diehard Apple user, with CARLUEX PRO+ you can upgrade your car to full Android, getting access to all the perks available in Google's mobile operating system.

Android head units have been around for some time, and the most affordable doesn't cost more than a couple of hundred bucks. They are typically produced by generic Chinese brands but still serve their purpose nicely, allowing users to get a new media experience that includes access to pretty much any app in the store. Including Waze and Google Maps, that is.

CARLUEX PRO+ doesn't come with a stand-alone screen but uses the one in your car to do its magic. It connects to the CarPlay port and then allows you to get full Android access on the very same display.

Compared to the previous version, CARLUEX PRO+ sports upgraded internals, so the parent company promises improved performance, shorter loading times, and more responsive features. In theory, everything sounds good on paper, but users just need to try this out on their own because the actual experience could be a lot different in reality.

I've tried all kinds of Android head units, and most of them leave a lot to be desired. Some tend to overheat because they are essentially tablets that are installed in your dashboard, while others are incredibly slow because they're built with a low price tag in mind.

CARLUEX PRO+ uses a Qualcomm chip, so the company says its overall performance is top-notch. The device connects to your head unit through the CarPlay port and then uses a wireless connection to the mobile device if you want to run either Android Auto or CarPlay without a cable. The full Android experience runs on any device – the device comes pre-loaded with Android 13, so you get access to the latest version of Google's mobile operating system.

In other words, you get to choose what system you want to use in the car. Despite the vehicle coming equipped with just wired CarPlay, CARLUEX PRO+ upgrades the system to wireless Android Auto, wireless CarPlay, or an embedded system powered by Android 13.

Why should anyone want the full Android experience in the car? It all comes down to apps.

Thanks to the full version of the operating system, users get access to all apps published on the Google Play Store. Android Auto sports a series of restrictions, so for example, you're not allowed to watch YouTube or Netflix shows on the screen in the dashboard. Needless to say, you shouldn’t watch them on Android either unless the vehicle is parked. Doing this while driving is a huge no-no, as you could easily get distracted and… we all know this might not end well.

Android offers the full experience compared to mobile phone projection systems, not to mention that everything runs wirelessly. As a result, you won't even have to take your phone out of your pocket (though you might want to do that anyway, especially if you run out of battery).

CARLUEX PRO+ should start in 6 seconds, according to the parent company, and this is a substantial upgrade from the previous model. It also includes Wi-Fi 6 for faster wireless connections, as well as a USB-C port to work seamlessly with your car.

The price is probably the only drawback, and it's likely to make many people walk away. AAWireless launched with an $89 price tag, while other alternatives, such as Motorola's MA1 carried a similar price until recently when they got significant discounts. On the other hand, CARLUEX PRO+ can be yours for $359, so it's quite an expensive purchase. Sure enough, it brings the power of full Android to your dashboard, so you're the one to decide if getting access to the entire app ecosystem on Google's mobile OS is worth the money.

In theory, CARLUEX PRO+ should work with any car that comes fitted with wired CarPlay, as it doesn't sport any special requirements. The box includes the device, a USB-A to USB-C adapter, a cable for the connection to the car, and the manuals.