In this video, I tested the CarlinKit UHD 660 AI Box to see if switching from CarPlay to Android Auto could improve performance, specifically focusing on boot-up times, audio sync in YouTube, and Spotify responsiveness. After running several tests, I discovered some surprising results that could change your perspective on which platform is better for AI Boxes.
Read my full review of the CarlinKit Tbox UHD 660, or if you own the box already, learn how to convert it to Android Auto in my video guide below.
AI Boxes have revolutionized the way we interact with our car infotainment systems, primarily operating over CarPlay. But what happens if your car only supports Android Auto? Recently, a few brands have introduced AI Boxes with the ability to switch between CarPlay and Android Auto, giving drivers more flexibility. This led me to wonder: if I convert a CarPlay AI Box to run on Android Auto, could it improve performance, especially in reducing audio delay during tasks like watching YouTube videos?
To test this theory, I used the CarlinKit Tbox UHD 660 AI Box—a device that not only performs well for its price but also allows you to switch between CarPlay and Android Auto. Let’s dive into the results.
The Setup: Switching from CarPlay to Android Auto
To switch the CarlinKit UHD 660 from CarPlay to Android Auto, the process is straightforward. First, power on the device in CarPlay mode and wait until you reach the main menu. Then, insert a pin or SIM tool into the small hole at the front of the AI Box for three seconds. A prompt will appear, asking if you’d like to switch to Android Auto. Confirm this, and the AI Box will reboot using Android Auto.
Before switching, I ran three tests to establish a performance baseline on CarPlay: boot-up time, audio delay in YouTube videos, and responsiveness when skipping tracks in Spotify.
Test 1: Boot-up Time
Using CarPlay, the AI Box took an average of 40.71 seconds to boot up and reach the main menu.
Once I switched to Android Auto, the boot-up time improved slightly, clocking in at 40.18 seconds. While the difference is minimal, Android Auto was technically faster to connect, though the interface took a bit longer to fully load.
Test 2: Audio Sync in YouTube
Next, I tested audio sync using the Twitch audio sync video on the pre-installed YouTube app. Over CarPlay, I recorded an average audio delay of +400ms. This delay means that the audio lagged behind the video, making for a less-than-perfect viewing experience.
When I switched to Android Auto, I was surprised by the results: the audio now played ahead of the video, with a delay of -460ms. While this might seem like an improvement, since audio is no longer lagging, it’s still far from ideal, as video was now noticeably behind. So while the shift in delay was significant, Android Auto didn’t deliver a perfectly synced experience either.
Test 3: Responsiveness in Spotify
For this test, I measured the time it took to skip tracks in Spotify—specifically, the delay between pressing the next track button and hearing the new song. On CarPlay, the average delay was 0.51 seconds.
On Android Auto, the performance slightly worsened, with an average delay of 0.55 seconds. Although the difference is marginal, it contradicts the expectation that Android Auto would offer faster interaction times.
The Verdict: Does Android Auto Perform Better?
After running these tests, I discovered that switching from CarPlay to Android Auto doesn’t lead to a noticeable improvement in performance. In fact, while Android Auto slightly reduced boot-up time, it introduced a bigger issue in YouTube audio syncing, with the video now lagging behind the audio. Additionally, Spotify’s track-skipping delay was marginally worse on Android Auto compared to CarPlay.
Conclusion: Stick to CarPlay
If you’re fortunate enough to have a car that supports both CarPlay and Android Auto, my tests suggest it’s better to stick with CarPlay when using an AI Box like the CarlinKit Tbox UHD 660. While the idea of switching to Android Auto for improved performance is appealing, the reality is that there’s little to no advantage—especially in terms of audio delay, where the experience is still far from perfect on both platforms.
For most users, these millisecond differences won’t ruin the experience, but if you’re hoping for a significant performance boost by switching to Android Auto, you may want to reconsider.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
0:48 – Variables in test
1:10 – CarPlay Platform Boot & Test
3:21 – Converting CarPlay AI Box to Android Auto
4:18 – Android Auto Platform Boot & Test
6:51 – My Impressions
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