CarlinKit Tbox Max (Ambient) CarPlay AI Box Review | A Case of Déjà vu

Underneath its RGB exterior, is basically the same hardware as the CarlinKit Tbox Plus - even the BT profile states the same name! Sadly even with all the colourful bells and whistles of RGB lighting, its configuration doesn't quite cut it compared to its rivals. It's a token gesture at best.

With this aside, you are getting their top-of-the-line spec in a new casing, and a slightly higher price to boot. If that's worth it for you, then go for it, this is one of the better AI Boxes out there that's solid and stable, even if it does have a rather dated luncher interface.

Without a back button in its menu system, you have to lean on the feature we all love to hate - the floating button. Why CarlinKit didn't include a back button in their side dock is such a rookie decision that I just hope they are reading this and adding it in a future OTA update - which this box can also do now - YAY!

Sure the Plus model can be had for cheaper, but spec it up to its 8GB + 128GB model and you're on similar territory. The Plus can be updated to Android 13 OS to even the playing field, so with that, its hard to recommend the Tbox Max - unless you like fancy lights (that you can't customise well) and you don't want to go through the task (as risk) or upgrading the OS yourself.

Either way, you choose, be it the Max or Plus, it's still a great AI Box, that is solid and stable, does video fairly well (looking at your YouTube audio delay), and even though on paper its Wi-Fi specs are not the best, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto perform well enough, albeit initial connection can be a little hit and miss at times.

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Brief overview
0:20 - Unboxing
0:34 - Features & design
1:00 - Bootup & main menu
1:43 - Settings
1:54 - Ambient RGB Lighting Config
2:18 - OTA Updates
2:28 - Android Apps, YouTube & Netflix
2:55 - Gaming & BT Controller Input
3:18 - SD Media Playback
3:40 - Wireless Apple CarPlay
3:58 - Wireless Android Auto
4:17 - Wi-Fi Specs
4:40 - 5 Things I Don't Like About Tbox Max
6:00 - 5 Things I Like About Tbox Max
6:36 - My Impressions
7:01 - Benchmarks & App Launch Test

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EQUIPMENT IN THIS VIDEO:

#CarlinKit #AIBox #CarPlay

[gcdm]

The processor is actually why I follow your channel, I’m waiting for them to drop a better CPU before I upgrade.

[chris]

Great review as always. Nice to see Carlinkit getting a little bit faster but as you say, let's get a faster proc in these things and improve the software. I'll wait for that review and buy when that happens. For me, I had too many issues with its predecessor Tbox Plus and stuck with their "5" version box which has never failed me.

[moikehunt]

Mate, your reviews are first rate, well done! Could I please ask a brief question? Do you know if the bluetooth on this device can support or read my bluetooth OBD2 dongle as I would like to downlod and run the OBD2 App, Torque? TIA.

[castor]

Great review - I had 2 questions:
1. If CarPlay or AndroidAuto is connected and you are on the main launcher screen - do you still get notifications?
2. How is the call audio quality?

[cesarcastillo]

First off thank you so much for these videos! I’ve been watching many for the past two days.

My questions is when will the review for the exploter rocket be uploaded? I’m willing to pay more for a decent product. I just want to be able to play YouTube videos smoothly. And if possible connect a controller for games. I overpayed (was ripped off) for a playaibox and it won’t play YouTube videos with my phones hotspot or trucks wifi either …. Thank you again.

[Britbloke-]

Great review! Question about the external touchscreen you use at 4 min mark - can you give me the details of this touchscreen? I'd like to use it with my Tbox Max. Cheers!

[SuperBoricua]

What is the difference between the plus device vs. the max device?

[Gailith]

I bought one and love it. The only problem is the TF nano sim. I put the one from my phone into it and it works fine however you can't buy a nano sim unless you have an IMI for it and the Tbox doesn't have that. No phone company will let you buy a Nano sim unless you buy a phone to activate it.

[queencityreefs]

You mention other AI boxes? Any links to ones you know work as expected? Especially ones that will cast from your phone?

[moode]

My friend, can you make a comparison between this version and the Carlinkit Ai Box Plus (13) version?
Is there a solution to the problem of slight delay when I play a YouTube clip on CarPlay wireless ?

[marcosenergy]

great video, explanation. I would like to buy this version, my car has Applecarplay via cable, will it work normally? and will the chip work in Brazil? because TPlus version has some template variations. thanks

[Hkshine]

Questions about the sound chip being supported, whether or not it sounds like the original sound on the car

[jasonlee]

Great video Anthony. I will not be using sim card inserted into Tbox Max, but want to connect 'wirelessly' to Hotspot on my iPhone for data.
Can I connect this at the same time Tbox Max is connected to Wireless Carplay via 'Autokit' (bluetooth)
My fear is that it's not possible.

[patchaya]

First video: When I drive for a while, Apple Carplay restarts frequently.
Second video, when I open the radio app or any other app and then open the map app, I notice that the screen will rotate and pressing other buttons doesn't work when entering the map app.
The same is true in the Mercedes Benz GLE 300D.

[JulianSauco]

They should’ve upgraded the audio chip instead of adding useless lights. Audio output is awfully compressed when compared to normal wired carplay.

[TonELowq]

Great vid. Do you know of any other AI BOX that has HDMI IN other than the Picasou 2 Pro? I currently use my Nvidia Shield through my Picasou 2 Pro but would like to see other options. Better UI and more ram would be nice.

[acesmith]

I wish you would show the music being played through the SD card. I want to see the interface. I want to be able to play my music without using my phone.

[chanpaulm]

Hello! I do apologize, as I am fairly new to this Carlinkit products. You mean to say, I can plug this to my unit that has carplay and android auto capabilities and it will work as a standalone? And no phones are needed? Like if I left my phone, this box has a system of its own and be used for maybe waze, youtube and the likes? If so, so it has an operating system of its own? Or am I interpreting this wrongly. Sorry and I do ask for your explanation on this! God bless!

[aspybinley]

Great review! Do you have any plans to review their new version, the TBOX UHD?

[Dave-bouz]

Hello. I like the idea of turning my reasonable quality head unit into a full android tablet. I dont care for 'android auto' phone connection as my built in nav is fine and I would bluetooth phone calls to my head unit directly as I do now, just using this tbox as a tablet, taking data from my phones hotspot. In that regard, using spotify app on the tbox at maximum audio quality, whats the sound quality like from this box? Thankyou