Owners of older vehicles who are still on the road with a simple CD or even cassette radio can have their car modernized relatively easily: professionally installed, the Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB car radio can be connected to the smartphone via a USB port and you’re on your way enjoy modern features. The device supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and, in addition to listening to music, can also be used for navigating and making phone calls.
Thanks to the integrated DAB+ receiver, you can also play many radio stations in (better) digital quality. The smart 2DIN car radio from Pioneer is very easy to operate via the seven-inch touchscreen. However, so much convenience also has its price: the device currently costs almost 420 euros at Amazon.
Cheap alternative
But you can also connect your smartphone to the radio much more cheaply. So-called FM transmitters allow this. Plug the device into the cigarette lighter socket and you can connect your smartphone to it via Bluetooth. Then select a frequency without reception and set both your car radio and the transmitter to the appropriate frequency – done! The sound quality can suffer a bit. But the principle works and is independent of your location.
For 18 euros you get one recommended model from ZeaLife, which also supplies your smartphone with power thanks to two integrated USB ports. A built-in microphone also allows the transmitter to be used as a hands-free system.