ApplePie Ultra / UX999Ultra CarPlay Android 12 AI Box Adapter Review

This new AI Box from Exploter is an Android 12 AI Box for factory Apple CarPlay and aftermarket systems. It features 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM, a fast Qualcomm 662 CPU and an Adreno 610 GPU. There is an SD card slot for expandable storage, and a SIM card slot to provide internal internet to the dongle without the need to connect to a mobile hotspot or local Wi-Fi.

Looking at the specs I had high hopes for the Ultra, but sadly I am left a little deflated after spending some time with it. It all depends on how you want to use this dongle. There is certainly more grunt under the hood than the Mini and Max dongles, but sadly the same can’t be said for its Wi-Fi hardware, and after playing with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, it shows. Even trying out the mirror casting option, leaves you with poor or missing audio at times, and when audio does work, it is terribly out of sync and not really that much of a usable feature.

Even with its newer Android 12 foundation, this AI Box hasn’t had any major improvements made to its launcher and its menu UI design hasn’t improved either, with the same frustrating floating button that you can’t turn off in the settings menu. An even more confusing home button that can show an app overview screen, and there is a persistent hidden dock prompt that looks totally different to the one you return to on the home screen.

If you can look over this confusing mishmash of its launcher software and you have no use for wireless CarPlay or Android Auto, the ApplePie Ultra is a very capable AI Box, thanks to its much faster chipset and larger system memory. But as a full package, I would personally wait and see how the Plus branded AI Boxes perform, and how other brands utilise the same Qualcomm 662 chipset over the next coming months.

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Brief overview
0:37 - Unboxing
0:48 - Features & design
1:30 - Boot up & main menu
2:30 - Apps
3:40 - QC662 vs QC665 comparison
4:23 - YouTube & Netflix playback
4:53 - Gaming & controller support
5:26 - Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto
6:44 - My impressions

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EQUIPMENT IN THIS VIDEO:

#AIBox #UX999Ultra #CarPlay

[abdullaomar]

Thank you so much for the review. Amazing job. I have question please. When you turn off the car and go home do you need reset it Again when you are back to the car for example you start your car the device is connected does it run it self back normal or you need to go throw the process again? thank you

[MrShowoff]

Any advice choosing between the newer version of this or the Apple pie Plus 2.0? I want to add retro game roms. Thanks for the videos!

[Ruinx]

Thank you for the update. I have been waiting for this. If one was looking for the best android experience with the occasional wireless carplay what would you recommend. Price not being a factor.

[garnetf]

Thanks for this awesome review.

Question: what is the results on the video audio sync ?
Some AI box video and audio don’t match up even when I try my best to have audio sync properly and I find it very awkward to watch movies on when audio delay from the video action

[Torquesteer-CSR]

Hi, I’m in the UK and I’m looking for some help/advice if possible. I have a brand new 2025 Hyundai Tucson with wireless car play but I am looking for a box that will still work on my already wireless set up as I am wanting it for playing things like Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video for the kids on longer drives. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you 👍🏼

[Dawgley]

thanks for the review. i wonder if the audio call delay is still a problem with zlink in this version

[ryon]

Is the Qualcomm 662 and Qualcomm 665 CPU along with the Adreno 610 GPU the fastest CPU and GPU out right now currently in these car boxes?

[djgraffiti]

Could you please review with adding users and if the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disconnect if you use carplay like other boxes.

[mianhamidurrahman]

I have an android infotainment system in my toyota altis grande 1.8 but the device applepie max plus cannot connect with system 😢 any solution for Ai box applepie max plus to connecting to android infotainment system.

[thetruejay]

This vs carlinkit ai box plus? Or is it the same just rebranded?

[fonfir]

Have a question: Are the Videos on YT and Netflix smooth and can I updated YT and Netflix in Google Playstore when updates came out?

[KartheekPathuri]

Does Carlinkit have an equivalent AI box with similar specs? Any other boxes that are similar top this level of performance that are available in the US?

[teamcyrmining]

Does the android box full properly in cars with stretched screen like Hyundai Palisades? Do these boxes even work in the USA?

[ELCapiTRAN]

How is the wireless carplay and AA performance compared to the qualcomm 400 series boxes? I find those adequate enough but would hate to downgrade by going to this box.

[jc]

Whats the diference between this and the playaibox with the same name? Are they the same device?

[hamadbalhareth]

Good day. Can I change the interface of this device?
I have podofo ai android 13

[davemiles]

Are any of these able to run on AA only units, I have a renault zoe that has no carplay but does have AA as stock but cannot find an adapter to use carplay(even wired on the factory head unit)

[markschoennagel]

Dang, ordered one of these but it doesnt seem to work with a 2022 Ford Bronco or F150. On my Bronco the Sync software shows it found the iPhone, then it says its indexing the iPhone but thats it. Car play doesnt work. Ive paireds them to bluetooth but the Bronco rejects it. Pretty much same experience on an F150.

[davem]

Thanks for the review but I think it has 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Wi-Fi internally as receiving.

Is it really only 2.4Ghz as AP mode in CarPlay or AA?? 6:30

[PhucNguyen-lihe]

I can not use Voice Assistant when use ApplePie Mini 996, how can i fix is?