At a glance
Expert's Rating
Pros
- Works well and is largely reliable
- Heats up significantly less than previous model
- Supports Spiltscreen
Cons
- Crashes occasionally
Our Verdict
The Mini Ultra 3 is an improvement over its predecessor, the Mini Ultra. The Ultra 3 has some connection issues, but overall, it is a satisfying device to use for CarPlay.
Price When Reviewed
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Best Prices Today: Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3
At a glance: What is Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3
The Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3 is a compact wireless adapter that adds wireless Apple CarPlay (and Android Auto) to cars that already support wired CarPlay.
- It plugs into a vehicle’s USB port.
- It allows drivers to connect their phone automatically without cables.
- It promises faster startup times, lower heat output, and improved stability compared to earlier Carlinkit models.
- It is designed for drivers who want the convenience of wireless CarPlay without replacing their car’s infotainment system.
The CarlinKit Mini Ultra 3 is an adapter for cars with wired CarPlay. With the Ultra 3, you plug it into the car’s USB port, and your iPhone connects to it wirelessly, thus allowing you to have a wireless CarPlay connection. It offers a plug-and-play setup and works, but not without a few issues. The Ultra 3 is the follow-up to the Mini Ultra.
Compared to its predecessor, the Ultra 3 is slightly larger and has a round handle. It connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth and WLAN. The most important difference we noticed after driving a couple hundred miles is that the Ultra 3’s connection is much more stable. Apart from after an update, I had no interruptions, especially while driving.
I did experience the odd hiccup when I had to reconnect the device to the iPhone via Bluetooth by plugging it in and out, or I just waited for it to do so automatically. But it is much less frequent than with the previous model. Also, the small adapter obviously doesn’t heat up as quickly as its predecessor.
The CarlinKit Mini Ultra 3
All you need is a USB port in the car. The manufacturer has also made provisions for USB-C: a small adapter is included so that the Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3 can also be connected via it. It is still not possible to use two different users at the same time (each logging in with their own iPhone at different times).
I don’t like the enclosed miniature paper operating instructions, which are legible if you have good eyesight, strong glasses, or a magnifying glass. At least a QR code to a PDF instruction manual would be useful here. There is still no dedicated app for the few settings you might want to make, such as firmware upgrades. Here, you have to connect via a URL in a browser, with no indication of what is happening in the background. Thankfully, you shouldn’t need this function too often.
Should you buy the Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3?
I’m satisfied with the Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3 overall. It’s not perfect, but it’s a significant relief to have it automatically connect and have CarPlay running. It is important to note that the Ultra 3 is not compatible with BMW and Tesla automobiles.
Best Prices Today: Carlinkit Mini Ultra 3
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.