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Has any Android users bought an iPhone JUST to use Apple CarPlay ?

Discussion in 'Prime Audio, Electronics, and Infotainment' started by GKL, Jan 30, 2020.

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  1. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Is it really worth it to switch from Android to iPhone JUST to use Apple CarPlay ?

    IF I did decide to get an iPhone it would be a very economical refurbished one as we don't want to pay an outrageous price of $400 or more just for a phone. I have seen refurbished iPhones close to $100, we have gotten very good new Android phones for not a lot more than $100. Also, we will not get locked into a phone contract just to get a phone, right now both my wife and I pay a total of $50 (+tax) per month for BOTH of us to get unlimited calls and texts and 2GB data per month (AT&T pay as you go plan).

    Anyhow, what features would make having an iPhone be a huge difference over the built-in features in the 2020 Prius Prime XLE as well as using what features we could by connecting our Android phone via Bluetooth ?

    Ideally I am hoping that eventually Toyota will offer a software upgrade to add "Android Auto" to the 2020 Prius Prime XLE.
     
    #1 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I'll admit that it isn't really a visible in-your-face feature, but Apple has made a much stronger commitment to protecting your personal info. They aren't perfect, but they do a much better job of keeping malware-infested apps out of their app catalog. Also you'll see longer OS support from Apple- you can keep one going for years longer if you feel like it.

    n.b. I have both; personal phone is a cheap old secondhand Apple with the very latest iOS and the work burner is a brand z lollipop Android.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jan 30, 2020
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  3. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Thanks for that info, fortunately we have never had a problem with malware on our android phones, but as an added precaution we use the android version of "Malwarebytes" on our phones, it does a good job on computers too and they offer a free basic version also, so malware has not been a concern for us.

    I was thinking along the lines of things like the maps/navigation and other features, we test drove a regular Prius (dealer did not have a Prime in stock) and the display was the same as the Prime and for about a 15 minute test drive the built-in map/navigation program seemed to work good.
     
    #3 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Sorry, I know my comment is not going to help you in anyway, but I couldn't resist... If you are asking "over the built-in features" then anything is better. Oh, in fact , not having a smartphone is even better. LOL I never buy a car for infotainment features. That is the last thing I will look for.
     
    #4 Salamander_King, Jan 30, 2020
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  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I'm a long-time Droid user who was dragged kicking and screaming into the Apple world for another reason, but I have to admit that Apple Car Play would be a pretty big value adder for me.

    If you DO take the plunge I'd consider a refurbed unit at Amazon's refurbed basement or Backmarket.
    https://www.backmarket.com
    Backmarket has the same refurbed stuff as everybody else does but their 'no questions asked' return policy is an order of magnitude better than anybody else, IMHO.

    Since the Apples practice a policy of shameless planned obsolescence, you'll need to get a phone that will run the latest OS which at the time of this tapping is something like 13.3.x
    Apple CarPlay FAQ: Everything You Need to Know | Tom's Guide
    This means that even though Car Play may support an older model you really should get a 6s or "newer."
    I use a 6s that I got for about $100 as a 'lifeboat' in case my hideously expensive Xr breaks and it's still a pretty good phone and it would serve well as a phone for Apple Car play.
    If you get an unlocked phone such as I did, you'll be able to pop your SIM card into the Apple and go.


    SO.....Would it be worth it for you?

    Probably.
    If your price point is $100-200 you'll be able to get a phone that will serve your needs, and let's face it.....at your price point a phone just isn't that important to you - right?


    Be careful.
    The Apples practice a Borg-like assimilation model and Prius drivers have a much lower natural immunity.

    Good Luck!
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Jan 30, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2020
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  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Another look: When you use an iPhone via CarPlay for navigation, this specifically means you are using your choice of Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze, because those are the only 3 navigation apps allowed to use CarPlay.

    So technically you are asking if Google or Waze is better than the 4-year old canned no-name maps on the Toyota system. I think you already know the answer, you just didn't realize that this was the question.
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jan 30, 2020
  7. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    :) not a problem ! While my main focus was the 25 mile EV range for local driving and fantastic MPGe in hybrid mode for longer trips and the overall dependability of Toyotas, I figure since they do have the 11.6 inch display with various neat features we might as well try to get the most out of it :cool:
     
    #7 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
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  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    AFAIK, the CarPlay will mirror onto only the top portion of 11.6 inch display that is not much bigger than on the smaller 7 inch display trims. I am going to visit a dealer if TOYOTA extends current incentive and I can get good trade-in on my 2017 PRIME Premium with the 11.6 inch display to a new 2020 PRIME LE with smaller 7 inch display. One thing I hate most on my current PRIME is the large touch screen display.
     
    #8 Salamander_King, Jan 30, 2020
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  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    It would be definitely be worth going to the dark side in your case if you're strong enough to avoid the urge to upgrade once you're locked into the walled garden that is the Apple world....and YES you can get a dependable and functional apple for waaay less than $400.
     
    #9 ETC(SS), Jan 30, 2020
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  10. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Thanks for the tips ! We have "LG Stylo 4" phones which are amazingly good for the economical price and a good size display, that is why I'd much prefer if Toyota simply did a software upgrade to add "Android Auto".

    We bought our phones new that that long ago so I'd prefer not to pay for another phone already, but since our 2020 Prime XLE is on order from the factory and it will be 90-120 days before we have it I'll have time to decide, and maybe Toyota will surprise us with an Android Auto upgrade by then :D

    I just like to research possibilities ahead of time and consider the options.
     
    #10 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  11. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    Thanks for the input, I guess it is a matter of personal preference but I prefer the larger display, especially for the maps, as you get older you appreciate things that are easier to see :D
     
    #11 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  12. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yes, full screen OEM navi map on a large screen is nice... but if you use CarPlay for navi, then you will lose that full screen display map, I think.
     
    #12 Salamander_King, Jan 30, 2020
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  13. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    IF I did decide to get an iPhone it would be a refurbished one around $100 and I understand about the "upgrade" scenario, seems like Apple makes a big deal about their latest phone then it seems like months later they are ready to push a newer model, it's like you are not buying a phone just renting one :D I like to get a phone and keep it long enough to get my money's worth out of it :D
     
    #13 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  14. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    The test drive we did in a regular Prius with the 11.6 inch display was just with the built-in features so I have not seen how it would work in person with Carplay, I'd have to research more online.
     
    #14 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  15. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    LOL

    That's the EXACT phone that I have, turned off, in my desk drawer.
    It cost me $189 new and I had to buy a $630 iPhone (Xr) to get the same screen and camera quality.

    Unfortunately, for $200-used or $400 new you're going to have a 'usable' phone but it's still going to have the same 4.7" LED screen that the settlers had to use when they crossed the great plains in their Conestoga wagons.

    Otherwise?
    You're looking at something like an Xr to get back into the adult-sized screens.


    Good Luck!
     
    #15 ETC(SS), Jan 30, 2020
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  16. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    :LOL: neat you have the same phone !

    We bought our Stylo 4 phones (32GB included) new from Amazon last July for $159.99 each. We happened on a very special deal at that time, now they are asking for $269.99 for the same phone !

    I have a few months to decide while we are waiting on delivery of our Prime XLE, and I do like being able to research things ahead of time :D
     
    #16 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
  17. Priuslover09

    Priuslover09 Member

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    Why would they it would cost more money to buy an iPhone after you by the car itself.
     
    #17 Priuslover09, Jan 30, 2020
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  18. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    If Toyota got a kickback from Apple for not having Android Auto on the Prime then maybe, but I don't think they do :D
     
    #18 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
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  19. Priuslover09

    Priuslover09 Member

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    Is android auto a thing?
     
    #19 Priuslover09, Jan 30, 2020
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  20. GKL

    GKL Active Member

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    "Android Auto" is software like "Apple Carplay", Android Auto allows you to connect an android phone to the car display, Toyota does have it on some of their models but not yet on the Prius Prime.
     
    #20 GKL, Jan 30, 2020
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