Unidades principales Android baratas en Amazon y eBay:¿son buenas?

En este artículo: Lo guiaremos a través de toda la información que necesita saber sobre unidades principales más baratas de Amazon Android y unidades principales tradicionales de compañías de marca.

• Cómo se comparan los estéreos baratos con las grandes marcas
• Unidades de Android:¿cuál es el bombo?
  • Unidad principal Android Podofo 609 de doble DIN
  • Otras unidades principales de Android
• Unidades principales tradicionales:la norma
  • XAV-AX5500 de Sony
  • Alpine iLX-W650
• Cómo le va a la unidad Android
• SO Android:la gran diferencia
• DIN doble no siempre es DIN doble
• Durabilidad a largo plazo de Android
• Reclamaciones de garantía
• Conclusión

Cómo se comparan los estéreos baratos con las grandes marcas

Las unidades principales basadas en Android son cada vez más comunes en estos días. Para su crédito, muchos parecen unidades de pantalla táctil de alto valor fabricadas por algunas de las compañías de audio para automóviles más famosas del mundo. Pero uno tiene que preguntarse; ¿Estoy pagando varios cientos de dólares por un logo? ¿Cuánto peor, o incluso mejor, podría funcionar un estéreo económico con pantalla táctil de doble DIN de Android?

Personalmente, ya hemos instalado algunos en los automóviles y queríamos responder algunas de las preguntas que teníamos al comprar e instalar una de estas unidades principales económicas que encontrará en Amazon o eBay. Y hemos reunido una lista de algunos ejemplos de las opciones económicas de Android para mostrarle qué hace que estas unidades principales de $ 50 sean tan económicas y las comparamos con algunas de nuestras unidades principales de marca favoritas con un precio de entre $ 300 y $ 400. Algunos de los resultados nos sorprendieron

En caso de que sea buscando una unidad principal, ¡eche un vistazo a estas listas!

Los mejores estéreos y unidades principales de un solo DIN para automóvil en 2022

Los mejores estéreos para automóviles con pantalla táctil en 2022

Los mejores estéreos para automóvil compatibles con iDatalink en 2022

Los mejores estéreos inalámbricos Apple CarPlay para auto en 2022

Los mejores estéreos de coche con navegación GPS en 2022

Los mejores estéreos para autos con medios digitales en 2022

Los mejores estéreos y unidades principales para automóviles en 2022

Los mejores estéreos para auto con DVD y video en 2022

Unidad principal Android Podofo 2609 de doble DIN

Características clave

• Pantalla táctil de 7"
• 25w x 4 canales (RMS)/ 50w x 4 canales (pico)
• Resolución 800×480/Video 1080P
• Enlace espejo
• ENTRADA auxiliar
• USB frontal
• Preamplificadores de 4 canales
• Entrada de cámara
• Cámara trasera de 4 LED incluida
• Bluetooth integrado

Precios más recientes

Esta es una de las pocas unidades principales que analizamos para las que es fácil encontrar información del fabricante. La unidad principal es vendida por Shenzhen ShunXinDa Trading Company, Ltd. La empresa se estableció en 2013 y tiene su sede en Guangdong, China. Es un fabricante y distribuidor de electrónica para automóviles. Sus líneas de productos incluyen cámaras, unidades principales y otros dispositivos electrónicos para automóviles. Si está familiarizado con los productos chinos de imitación o sin marca, probablemente ya esté familiarizado con 'Shenzhen' o 'Guangzhou' en el nombre del fabricante. Estos son lugares dentro de China donde los productos se fabrican normalmente y es un signo bastante revelador de una marca de imitación.

Esta unidad principal Podofo aparece como una pantalla táctil de doble DIN de 7". Sus medidas reales son 7,05" (178 mm) de ancho por 4,06" (103 mm) de alto. En las imágenes, esta unidad parece tener un diseño muy poco profundo, pero la profundidad no aparece en la lista.

Características que faltan notablemente:

• Sin salida de previo de subwoofer.
• No es compatible con todos los teléfonos. Los usuarios de Android 9 o posterior y Apple X o posterior no podrán usar su teléfono con esta unidad principal.
• No tiene compatibilidad integrada con Android Auto o Apple CarPlay.

En general, la unidad principal parece un equipo de buena calidad. La presencia de una perilla multifunción física en la cara es una característica que muchos compradores desean. Los iconos de la pantalla de visualización son bloques y simples. La información es mínima y simplista. La unidad no puede mostrar información sobre la canción, la obra de arte u otras características digitales que brindan muchas unidades principales convencionales. No hay integración de los principales programas de manos libres, por lo que los usuarios tendrán que arreglárselas con conexiones menos confiables a través de duplicación y Bluetooth. Esto requiere una conexión directa a través de USB, lo cual es un inconveniente para muchos conductores.

No conocemos nada del hardware utilizado para fabricar esta unidad principal, por lo que es difícil decir si es muy robusta. Faltan detalles como el tipo de pantalla táctil, las características de respuesta de frecuencia y los datos relacionados con el rendimiento. La falta de una salida de previo de subwoofer es un gran inconveniente.

Este es un ejemplo bastante común de algunas de las unidades Android de gama baja. Pero a pesar de la falta de funciones, el precio vende. Ahora bien, hay unidades más caras y de mayor calidad (pero aún así relativamente baratas) que cuentan con la plataforma Android. Tome la unidad de calabaza que está vinculada a continuación. Esta unidad tenía todas las características que tiene una unidad principal normal, era claramente una marca china de Double Din, pero era una unidad bastante bien hecha. Sin embargo, también costaba más de $200 dólares.

Otras unidades principales de Android

Los siguientes enlaces son para las otras unidades principales de bajo costo que examinamos mientras escribíamos este artículo. They are all similar in design and function to the unit described above.

Pumpkin Auto (click to read our in-car review of this android head unit)

Yakalla

Minye

Haoxuandianzi

Traditional Units – The Norm

Brand-name double-DIN car stereos can get expensive in a hurry. These are the units you'll find at your local Best Buy, WalMart or audio shop. Some of the units we have reviewed in the last year cost over $1,000. And although these may be some spectacular units, they're simply a lot of money. Many people want a high-quality head unit at a reasonable price. The big-name brands provide numerous lower cost options -even lower than some of the units we are going to look at next.

These units all have a few things in common. They represent the midpoint model for the brand, have a 7” screen, and cost between $300 and $380. If you're interested in these types of units, you can check out our full list of recommended touch screen head units, Apple CarPlay &Android head units, or Multimedia/DVD head units. But here's a few recent ones to chew on to give you an idea of their features and how they stack up agains the Android Head Units.

Sony XAV-AX5500

Key Features

• 6.95” TFT Active Matrix Touchscreen
• 800×480 Resolution
• 17” Wide x 3.21” Tall
• Shallow, Single-DIN Chassis
• Android Auto/ Apple CarPlay Compatible
• Dual Rear USB
• 55 watts x 4 channels (Peak)
• Built-in Bluetooth
• Dual Preouts (Front &Rear Speakers)/ Subwoofer Pre Out
• Dual Rear USB
• Single Camera Input

Latest Prices

The Sony XAV-AX5500 provides a bezel-less head unit at a mid-range price. The 5500 was just released this year. We did a full review of the unit in a 2015 Subaru STI, check it out.

Alpine iLX-W650

Key Features

• 7” capacitive touchscreen
• 800×480 Resolution
• 18 watt x 4 channel RMS/ 50 watt x 4 channel peak
• Compatible with Android Auto &Apple CarPlay
• 7” wide x 3.5” tall x 1.25” deep
• Compatible with Alpine KTA-450 PowerPack (400 watt amplifier)
• Built-in Bluetooth
• Dual Pre Outs (Front &Rear) and Subwoofer Pre Out
• Rear USB
• Dual Camera Input

See our full review of the Alpine iLX-W650

Latest Prices

How The Android Unit Fares

Just looking at the basic details provided by the various manufacturers, the tech specs of the Android unit seem to be inline with the brand-name units. In fact, the advertised RMS power of the $50 unit is higher than any of the mainstream units listed here. The obvious features missing from the $50 head units are the dedicated compatibility with apps we commonly use. Sure, screen mirroring can place Google Maps on your screen, but it’s also a frustrating experience. The cheap head units feature two-way control of some Android phones, but only one way control with Apple phones. Only older phones are supported by the Android unit, while the name-brand stereos support even the newest devices.

Little things, like the version of Bluetooth the head unit is compatible with, make a big difference in the performance of the stereo. All of the mainstream units provide buyers with current information about compatibility. Most are even capable of updates. The Android unit, unfortunately, is vague about the type of technology used in its head unit. Voice control, for example, may or may not work correctly because of the mirror connection Bluetooth compatibility. The Android unit requires both connections to work, which kind of defeats the purpose of Bluetooth. You’ll still have to plug in your phone to access most features.

Android OS – The Big Difference

Probably the most remarkably different thing the cheap head units allow is unadulterated versions of Android OS. The newest head units are running Marshmallow 4.0, while the mainstream head units use various, in-house versions. Mainstream units typical on the US market restrict certain types of playback. For example, you can’t play Call of Duty Mobile on any of the mainstream units listed here. It simply won’t work, and that’s by design. Manufacturers do not want to be on the hook for providing products that lead to fatal distracted driving accidents.

The low-cost Android systems are not similarly restricted. Think about it like having a tablet on your dash instead of a head unit. These units have full access to Google Play Store where you can install any app imaginable. This can be wonderful for accessing apps you need, but also allows these head units to function as entertainment systems. You can watch movies and stream TV stations, play video games, and do all of the things you would do sitting on your couch in front of your tablet, all from behind the wheel. Scary? Yes, but it’s also kind of cool. The ability to use the full suite of apps on your touchscreen might be particularly attractive to ride-share drivers who often spend hours sitting in their car waiting for a pick-up. Install Netflix and stream away! (Please don’t watch movies or TV while driving.)

This same open access to apps allows these head units to be much more customizable. Most of them offer the ability to change the boot-up screen to display vehicle manufacturer logos, custom pictures, and other tricked out visuals. Customizability is the biggest drawback to the mainstream units using closed-source OS. The big-name brand head units give you only limited customizability, and in some cases, none at all. On the up side, generally the mainstream units closed-source OS is more reliable than open source.

Double-DIN isn’t Always Double-DIN

If you look at the mainstream head units listed here, you will see they all have similar measurements to fit a standard double-DIN space. All of them have chassis measurements under 7” except the Pioneer, which isn’t listed by the manufacturer. The Android head units will vary in size, with many being over 7” wide. The irregular sizes can make installation much more challenging, and can even prevent the head unit from fitting. The minor difference in size makes a big difference in tight spaces. Many mainstream double-DIN head units can use modified brackets and bezels to fit 1.5-DIN opening, for example, but an oversized Android unit simply will never fit. Before buying an Android unit, check the actual size of the opening in your car and make sure the unit will fit. A number of buyers ended up returning Android units due to the variance in size.

Android Long-term Durability

A nice-looking touchscreen that works well, even if it is basic, is only as good as long as it lasts. The major difference between Android units and name-brand equipment is the quality of components. Reviewers of the inexpensive Android units comment on the poor quality of connectors. Many buyers had to order two units to get a working one. Professional installers report failures of various internal components due to low quality parts and shoddy construction. Numerous reviewers report total failures within one year. Other people also had problems with volume, fade, and equalizer settings that randomly change or won’t stay set once the stereo is turned off.

Some of these things are minor issues, and it certainly could be argued that simply buying a new stereo every year or two at $50, it would take several years before spending as much as a name-brand head unit. Then again, who wants to tear up the interior of their car every year or so.

Negative reviews of the name-brand head units typically focus on minor issues, such as the layout of icons, lack of customizability, and the locations of features. The units we examined for this article have a reputation for robustness, but sometimes things do go wrong, even with an expensive head unit. That’s where a warranty comes in.

Warranty Claims

Sony, Kenwood, Pioneer, and Alpine all provide warranties for parts and labor. Alpine and Kenwood provide a 90-day warranty for manufacturing defects, while Pioneer and Sony both offer a one-year warranty. Warranty claims are handled by authorized retailers in the United States.

The Android unit provides no warranty, and any claims must go through the seller. Many users report that requests for warranty service are often unanswered by sellers. The experience can be particularly frustrating for buyers because often, the only solution is to buy another head unit.

Conclusion

The cheap Android units available today are a fair option for buyers on a shoestring budget. Saving money on the head unit may allow for better quality speakers or other components. Performance from the Android units is acceptable for most listeners, but an audiophile will instantly know the difference between a name-brand head unit and an Android-based one. The sound reproduction quality is lacking with Android units. The absence of a subwoofer pre out on the Android stereo prevents expansion of the system significantly.

Most buyers are going to be happier in the long run spending a little more money and buying a high-quality name-brand stereo. The initial costs may be higher, but will provide many years of listening enjoyment. All of the units here include subwoofer pre outs, making hooking up amplifiers easier. The graphics, fonts, and available on-screen information with a name-brand head unit are all better than the Android. Numerous features, like built-in compatibility with Pandora, make listening to the music you want easier. The Android units have varying ability to take advantage of apps like Pandora or Sirius XM. Some people may find the lack of ease of app use to be a deal breaker, while others may be fine running Pandora through screen mirroring.

A big deal any buyer must be aware of with the Android units is the lack of compatibility with many of the most modern and popular phones. For owners who have a newer Samsung or iPhone, they may be forced to use the USB or TF slots to play music. However, the Android units are capable of displaying video easily, while the name-brand units make it impossible or nearly impossible to play video on the screen for safety reasons. If playing videos is important to you, an Android unit might be the best option.