Tired of dealing with old car audio systems that can’t keep up with your smartphone? Want a seamless and safe way to access your iPhone’s features while on the road, water or trails? This article will walk you through the world of double DIN Apple CarPlay head units, so you can understand the benefits and how to choose the best Apple CarPlay head unit for your vehicle. Whether you’re a car audio enthusiast, boat owner, motorcycle rider, off-road vehicle owner, young adult, teenager or DIY installer, you’ll learn how these head units can change your driving experience. We’ll cover the most common questions people ask about double DIN Apple CarPlay so you can make an informed decision when upgrading your vehicle’s audio system. BOSS Audio BE10ACP-C The BOSS Audio BE10ACP-C is a top of the line double DIN Apple CarPlay head unit with a massive 10.1" capacitive touchscreen display. The big screen real estate makes it super user friendly to navigate apps, control music and make calls. With built in Bluetooth and USB connectivity you can connect your iPhone and stream audio wirelessly. The BE10ACP-C also has an AM/FM radio tuner so you can listen to your local stations. Its sleek modern design will fit any vehicle interior and the included remote control is a nice bonus. The head unit has great audio performance with a built in equalizer and subwoofer control to fine tune your sound. The BE10ACP-C also has a backup camera input for added safety when reversing. It's a little more expensive than other models but the 10.1" screen and all the features make it a great choice for those who want the ultimate Apple CarPlay experience. BOSS Audio BE7ACP-C The BOSS Audio BE7ACP-C is a feature packed double DIN Apple CarPlay head unit for the price. It has a 7" capacitive touchscreen display and is very clear and responsive to tap and swipe your way through your iPhone's apps and functions. The BE7ACP-C has built in Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming and hands free calling and a USB port for wired connectivity. The AM/FM tuner keeps you connected to local radio stations and the included remote control is a nice bonus. The head unit has good audio performance with adjustable EQ and subwoofer control to fine tune your sound. A backup camera input is also included for added safety when reversing. It may not have the biggest screen but the BOSS Audio BE7ACP-C has all the features and performance for a great price. Kenwood DMX5020DABS The Kenwood DMX5020DABS is a top of the line double DIN head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has a 6.8” capacitive touchscreen display, built-in DAB+ digital radio tuner for crystal clear radio reception and supports high-res FLAC audio files. It has great sound quality with 13 band graphic equalizer and time alignment settings. 3 USB ports, HDMI input and 2 camera inputs. The DMX5020DABS is backup camera ready and also has parking guidelines for backup cameras. Intuitive interface and customizable home screen. More expensive than some but delivers premium features and performance. Pioneer SPH-DA250DAB The Pioneer SPH-DA250DAB is a feature-packed double din stereo that integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto seamlessly. 6.8” capacitive touchscreen for a responsive and user-friendly interface. Built-in DAB+ tuner for access to many digital radio stations with better audio quality. 13 band graphic equalizer and Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever technology for better sound quality. 2 USB ports and HDMI input for more device connectivity. Backup camera input for added safety when reversing. Not the most modern design but the Pioneer SPH-DA250DAB has all the features at a competitive price so it’s a good choice for those looking for a reliable and all-round Apple CarPlay head unit. Sony XAV-AX5550D The Sony XAV-AX5550D has a sleek and minimalist design and 6.95” bezel-less touchscreen display. Double DIN head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Seamless smartphone integration. Additionally, it features a physical volume knob, which provides ease of use and tactile feedback, making it more convenient to control audio settings while driving. High quality display for clear visuals, intuitive interface for easy navigation. XAV-AX5550D has great sound quality with Sony’s EXTRA BASS technology for deep bass and 10 band equalizer for fine tuning. 2 USB ports, HDMI input and dedicated backup camera input. WebLink Cast to mirror your smartphone screen for more functionality. No DAB+ tuner but the Sony XAV-AX5550D has a sleek design, user friendly interface and great sound quality so it’s a good choice for those who prioritise looks and sound. JVC KW-M565DBT The JVC KW-M565DBT is a all round double DIN head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 6.8” clear resistive touchscreen for responsive user experience. Built-in DAB+ tuner for access to many digital radio stations. K2 technology and 13 band equalizer for clear and dynamic sound. 1 USB port and backup camera input so it has the basics covered. It also supports steering wheel controls, which are important for ease of use while driving. KW-M565DBT also has JVC’s Streaming DJ technology so you can connect up to 5 smartphones via Bluetooth for multi source playback. Not the most feature packed but the JVC KW-M565DBT has a good balance of performance and price so it’s a good choice for budget buyers. Alpine ILX-007 Alpine ILX-007 is a dedicated Apple CarPlay car head unit for iPhone users. 7” capacitive touchscreen for larger display than most double DIN units so easier to navigate and control CarPlay functions. ILX-007 has great build quality and sleek minimalist design to match modern car interiors. Not as feature packed as other head units with Android Auto or DAB+ tuner but ILX-007 excels at delivering pure and simple Apple CarPlay experience. 1 USB port to connect your iPhone and backup camera input for safety. Great sound quality with 9 band parametric equalizer and time correction for fine tuning. If you’re an iPhone user who wants a bigger screen and a focused CarPlay experience it’s a top choice but at a premium price. BOSS Audio BE62CP-C The BOSS Audio BE62CP-C is a compact but capable double DIN Apple CarPlay head unit with a 6.2" capacitive touchscreen display. Despite the smaller screen the BE62CP-C is very user friendly to navigate through your most used apps, music and navigation functions. With built in Bluetooth and USB connectivity you can stream audio wirelessly and make hands free calls. The head unit also has an AM/FM tuner and remote control for added convenience. The audio performance is good with adjustable EQ settings to customize your sound. A backup camera input is included for safer reversing. The BOSS Audio BE62CP-C is a great choice for vehicles with limited dashboard space or those who want a more discreet installation. FAQs Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about double DIN Apple CarPlay head units with answers: What is a double DIN Apple CarPlay? A double DIN Apple CarPlay is a car audio head unit that fits into a standard double DIN dashboard opening and features a large touchscreen. It allows you to connect your iPhone to access various apps, make calls, send messages, and listen to music through the car's audio system, providing a safer and more convenient way to interact with your phone while driving. What makes double DIN unit different from a single DIN? A single DIN head unit is smaller, measuring 2" tall by 7" wide, and has a more limited display and fewer features due to its size. In contrast, a double DIN head unit is larger, measuring 4" tall by 7" wide, accommodating a bigger touchscreen and offering more advanced features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and backup camera compatibility. Is Apple CarPlay wireless? Some newer double DIN head units have wireless CarPlay, allowing you to connect your iPhone without a USB cable. But most units still require a wired connection via USB. Can I use Google Maps or Waze with Apple CarPlay? Yes, both Google Maps and Waze are supported with Apple CarPlay. Just install the apps on your iPhone and they will be available on your car’s Apple CarPlay interface. Do I need a special cable? No, you can use a standard Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to the head unit. Make sure the cable is MFi certified (Made for iPhone) for compatibility and reliability. Can I control Apple CarPlay with my car’s steering wheel buttons? Yes, most double DIN head units with Apple CarPlay have steering wheel controls, allowing you to navigate music, answer calls, and activate Siri without taking your hands off the wheel. Will Apple CarPlay work with my older iPhone? Apple CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 and later with iOS 7.1 and above. But for best performance and latest features it’s recommended to use a newer iPhone with latest iOS. Can I use Siri with Apple CarPlay? Yes, Siri is part of Apple CarPlay. You can activate Siri using your car’s voice command button or by saying “Hey Siri” if your head unit supports this feature. Can I customize Apple CarPlay interface? You can’t fully customize the Apple CarPlay interface but you can rearrange the app icons on the home screen. Just tap and hold an app icon until it starts wiggling then drag it to your desired position. Will my car’s backup camera work with an Apple CarPlay head unit? Most double DIN head units with Apple CarPlay are backup camera ready, featuring backup camera input. But you may need to buy a separate camera and make sure proper wiring and compatibility with your head unit. Can I listen to the radio with Apple CarPlay? Yes, you can listen to the radio while Apple CarPlay is connected. Use your head unit’s built-in radio controls or select the radio app (if available) within the CarPlay interface. Is the double DIN Apple CarPlay portable? Double DIN Apple CarPlay head units are not portable and are designed to be permanently installed into a vehicle's dashboard. Installation may require technical skills and modifying the dashboard to fit the larger size of the unit. Check out portable Apple CarPlays devices instead if you're interested. Summary When choosing a double DIN Apple CarPlay head unit consider display quality, sound customization options and connectivity features. Make sure compatibility with your iPhone model and vehicle for a seamless installation. Upgrade your driving experience with a double DIN Apple CarPlay head unit from BOSS Audio, high performance, affordable and durable. Visit our website or contact our staff to find the right one for your vehicle.