BMW 1/2 Series 12.3 inch Android Head Unit with Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G | QLB22NB12NER

Once your iPhone is paired, CarPlay connects without a cable each time you get in. Maps, messages, calls and music appear on the 12.3 inch screen, and the phone can stay in a pocket or bag.

On short trips that means no plugging in and unplugging, and no cable trailing across the console.

Android phone users get the same convenience. Android Auto connects wirelessly and puts navigation, calls and music on the head unit's screen.

You control it from the touchscreen, so the phone itself can stay out of reach while you drive.

The unit has its own 4G module with a SIM card slot and a 4G antenna in the box. Put a data SIM in and the head unit has its own internet connection.

That keeps online maps, streaming and apps running without tethering to your phone.

Wi-Fi lets the head unit join a hotspot or your home network. It's a handy way to download apps and updates while the car is parked on the drive.

The 12.3 inch QLED screen is fully laminated and ultra-slim, with a bezel shaped for the BMW dashboard. It fills the space where the factory display sat and gives a wide, full-screen look.

Lamination also reduces reflections, so the screen stays readable when the sun is on it.

The screen also uses IPS technology, which keeps the picture clear when viewed from the passenger seat as well as the driver's seat. That's useful when a passenger is choosing music or checking the route.

Inside is a 12nm octa-core chip (2xCortex-A75 + 6xCortex-A55) with 4GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB of storage, running Android 13.

The extra memory helps when you switch between navigation, music and other apps on the move.

A built-in DSP lets you shape the sound from the head unit's settings, adjusting the equaliser to suit your speakers and the car's cabin.

It's a simple way to get a more balanced sound without changing any hardware.

Screen mirroring shows your phone's screen on the head unit. It's useful for apps that don't run through CarPlay or Android Auto, for example when a passenger wants to share something while parked.

The RCA audio output lets you connect an external amplifier or subwoofer. If you plan to upgrade the sound system later, the head unit is ready for it.

A USB cable comes in the box. Use it to play music and video from a USB stick, or to connect a phone by cable when you prefer a wired connection.

A mini microphone is included. Mounted near the driver, it picks up your voice more clearly than a built-in one, which helps on hands-free calls and with voice commands through CarPlay or Android Auto.