CarPlay has become a near-essential feature for many drivers, but not every vehicle supports it, and some manufacturers—such as GM, which is phasing it out of its EVs—are moving away from it in favour of their own in-car systems. Rather than buying a new car, drivers can add CarPlay functionality cheaply using portable aftermarket screens that mount to the dashboard, offering a lower-cost alternative to a full factory retrofit.

These portable screens typically cost well under £150, with many available for under £40, though very cheap models often have poor touchscreens. Buyers are advised to weigh up screen size (typically 6 to 11 inches), resolution (at least 1280×720 pixels to avoid blurry text and icons), audio options (Bluetooth, AUX or FM, since built-in speakers are usually weak), and whether the unit supports wireless rather than wired CarPlay. Some models add extras such as dash cameras with loop recording, rear-view parking cameras, or built-in Android functionality for standalone app use, though mount stability is also worth checking before buying.