Let’s face it, driving a car with outdated tech feels like being stuck in the past. I remember the frustration of fumbling with my phone for navigation, risking a glance away from the road just to change a song, or dealing with tinny audio quality. This lack of modern connectivity and safety features wasn’t just inconvenient; it felt genuinely unsafe, constantly adding unnecessary distractions to my daily commute. Finding a seamless, integrated solution felt essential.
What to Think About Before Getting a Car Stereo Upgrade
Upgrading your car’s audio system, specifically to a modern head unit like a double din car stereo, primarily addresses the need for better connectivity, convenience, and access to modern features while driving. You might seek one out if your current system lacks Bluetooth, smartphone integration (like CarPlay or Android Auto), or even basic features like a usable touchscreen or backup camera support. The ideal customer is someone who spends a good amount of time in their car and wants to integrate their digital life safely into their driving experience. If you only use your car for very short trips, rarely use your phone while driving, or prefer a minimalist, tech-free approach, this type of upgrade might be overkill. Instead, a simple Bluetooth adapter or a basic replacement head unit might suffice. Before buying, consider your budget, the specific features you need (CarPlay/Android Auto, backup camera, physical controls, sound quality outputs), compatibility with your vehicle’s dash and existing wiring harness, and whether you plan to install it yourself or have it professionally done.
Introducing the ABSOSO Double Din Car Stereo
The ABSOSO in-Dash Digital Media CarPlay Stereo is a feature-rich double din car radio designed to bring modern connectivity to older vehicles. It promises a significant upgrade over stock stereos, offering smartphone integration via CarPlay and Android Auto (and Mirror Link), Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, a large touchscreen display, and support for essential features like backup cameras and steering wheel controls. When you purchase it, you typically get the head unit itself, necessary wiring harnesses, mounting brackets, a wireless remote control, and a backup camera with its cable. While premium brands might offer more polished interfaces or slightly better audio components, the ABSOSO stereo aims to deliver core smart functionality at a more accessible price point, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious upgrades.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (with compatibility notes)
* Large 7-inch HD touchscreen
* Includes a backup camera
* Features Bluetooth for hands-free calls and music
* Includes useful physical volume knob and steering wheel control support
* Standard double din size for easy fit in many vehicles
Cons:
* Mirror Link compatibility is limited to specific phone models/versions.
* Not a standalone GPS unit.
* Some users report issues with touch sensitivity or specific app functionality.
* It is a mechless unit (no CD/DVD player).
* Audio power output might be modest compared to high-end units.
Features & Benefits
Having used the ABSOSO in-Dash Digital Media CarPlay Stereo for a considerable period, I’ve had the chance to really dig into its various features and understand how they perform in day-to-day use. This unit packs a surprising amount of functionality for its price point, aiming to be a central hub for your car’s entertainment and connectivity.
Smartphone Integration (CarPlay, Android Auto, Mirror Link)
One of the biggest draws of this double din headunit is its support for smartphone integration, specifically Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is the feature that truly modernizes an older vehicle’s dashboard. Connecting my iPhone (it also works with compatible Android phones) transforms the 7 Inch HD Touchscreen into a familiar interface for accessing navigation, music, podcasts, messages, and calls directly from the dashboard.
Using CarPlay has been a game-changer. Navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze are displayed clearly on the large screen, making directions easy to follow without needing to look at my phone. Audio apps like Spotify or Apple Music integrate seamlessly, allowing me to control playback, browse playlists, and discover new music using the touch screen or voice commands via Siri. Receiving and sending messages or making calls hands-free through Siri or the touch interface significantly reduces distraction, which was my main problem initially. It feels much safer and more convenient than dealing with a phone mount.
The unit also supports Mirror Link for certain compatible phones (specifically mentioned are iPhone 12 Pro, XR, 8 Plus, and Android 11 or below). While CarPlay and Android Auto are generally preferred for their tailored car interfaces, Mirror Link is useful for displaying anything from your phone screen on the touchscreen car radio. However, it’s important to note the compatibility limitations here; it doesn’t work universally with all phone models, especially newer ones. Also, this media receiver is *not* a standalone GPS unit; it relies on your phone’s GPS via these connectivity features. This isn’t a dealbreaker for most people who already use their phones for navigation, but it’s a crucial distinction.
High-Definition Touchscreen Display
The central point of interaction is the 7-inch HD full touchscreen display. With a stated resolution of 1024*600 (though the description also mentions 1920*1080P video playback capability, the screen resolution itself is 1024*600), it provides a clear and bright interface. Colors are vibrant enough, and the display is generally responsive to touch inputs. Navigating menus, selecting apps in CarPlay/Android Auto, or adjusting settings is straightforward. The size is ample for a double din slot, making icons easy to see and press while driving. While the touch sensitivity isn’t quite on par with a high-end smartphone screen, it’s perfectly functional for a car stereo environment. It provides a modern look and feel compared to old physical button-only radios.
Bluetooth Connectivity
Beyond smartphone mirroring, the built-in Bluetooth is essential. Pairing my phone was simple and quick. It allows for seamless hands-free calling, with the unit routing the call audio through the car’s speakers and using an external microphone (usually included) for your voice. Call quality has been generally clear on both ends, though this can depend on microphone placement and vehicle acoustics.
Bluetooth audio streaming is equally important. Even if you don’t use CarPlay or Android Auto for music apps, you can stream audio from any app on your phone directly to the stereo. This is great for passengers, or if you prefer using a specific audio app not optimized for CarPlay/Android Auto. The connection has been stable during my usage, without frequent dropouts.
Backup Camera Input
Safety is a significant benefit of upgrading, and the included HD waterproof backup camera is a key feature. Wiring it up was one of the slightly more involved parts of the installation, but once connected, it integrates smoothly. When you shift into reverse, the double din car audio unit automatically switches the screen to display the camera feed.
The camera provides a wide 170° viewing angle, significantly improving visibility when backing up, especially in tight spots or when parking. The image quality is clear enough to easily see obstacles behind you, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions (though true low-light performance isn’t stellar, as expected at this price). This feature alone is a massive safety upgrade for vehicles that didn’t come equipped with one. It temporarily suspends other functions like music or video, ensuring your full attention is on the reversing maneuver.
USB Fast Charging and Media Playback
Convenience features like the front panel 1.5A USB port for fast charging are surprisingly useful. It’s handy having a dedicated port right on the dashboard to top up your phone’s battery, especially while running power-hungry navigation apps via CarPlay/Android Auto. This prevents arriving at your destination with a dead phone.
The USB port, along with the micro SD card slot and AUX input, also allows for media playback directly from storage devices. This is great for playing music or videos saved locally without needing a phone connection. The unit supports a variety of audio and video formats, making it a versatile digital media player. While I primarily use streaming via Bluetooth or CarPlay/Android Auto, having these alternative input methods is a definite plus.
Audio Features and Expandability
For audio enthusiasts, the ABSOSO car audio system includes built-in preset EQ options and a user-customizable EQ. This allows you to fine-tune the sound profile to your liking and the acoustics of your car’s interior. While the internal amplifier provides a decent 4x 50W max power output (typical for head units, real-world RMS is lower), the inclusion of RCA ports for 2V pre-amp and subwoofer outputs is excellent for expandability. This means you can easily connect external amplifiers and a subwoofer to build a more powerful and dynamic car stereo system, which is something I definitely considered doing down the line. It supports a 4.1 surround sound configuration if you add the necessary external components.
AM/FM Radio and Physical Controls
Despite all the digital bells and whistles, a reliable old-school AM/FM radio is still essential. The headunit includes a tuner with RDS (Radio Data System) and memory for up to 30 stations. The reception has been good in my area, picking up local stations clearly. RDS displaying station and song information is a nice touch.
One feature that truly stands out for usability is the physical volume knob. While the touchscreen is great, having a tactile knob for quick volume adjustments without looking away from the road is invaluable for safety and convenience. The unit also supports steering wheel controls, allowing you to map functions like volume, track skipping, and source selection to your existing steering wheel buttons (requires proper wiring or an adapter depending on the vehicle), further enhancing safe operation. A wireless remote control is also included for passenger use.
Overall, the features combine to provide a significantly improved in-car experience over a basic factory radio. The core functionality of smartphone integration, backup camera support, and Bluetooth work reliably and deliver on the promise of a modern connected dashboard.
Hear From Others: User Experiences
Looking online, many users have shared their experiences with the ABSOSO touchscreen car radio. Some reviewers are pleased with how well the main features function after installation, noting the value for the price. They appreciate the included backup camera and the helpful option to personalize the boot screen logo. The sound system has also been mentioned positively by several users. However, a minority of users have encountered frustrating technical glitches, such as unresponsive touch screens or issues with the backup camera functioning correctly. There are also mentions that specific app compatibility, like video streaming on Mirror Link, can be inconsistent depending on the phone model used. While installation is generally standard double din, a few people reported needing extra steps or facing initial power issues.
Wrapping Up: Is This The Right Stereo For You?
If your current car stereo is lacking modern features like smartphone integration, Bluetooth, or backup camera support, and you find yourself distracted by your phone while driving, upgrading is crucial for both convenience and safety. The complications of *not* upgrading mean continued fumbling with devices, missed calls or messages, and the constant risk of an accident from looking away from the road. The ABSOSO in-Dash Digital Media CarPlay Stereo is a great fit to solve this problem for several reasons. Its support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto brings familiar, safe interfaces to your dash. The included backup camera adds a vital safety feature. And the combination of a large touchscreen, Bluetooth, and physical controls provides a versatile and user-friendly experience. To learn more and check it out for yourself, Click here to see the product page.