ATOTO S8 Ultra Double Din Car Stereo, 7 Inch Android in-Dash Navigation, Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, Dual BT w/aptX HD, Gesture Operation, VSV&LRV, Built-in 4G Cellular Modem, 4G+64G, S8G2A78UL-N

I mostly agree with "Tri H"'s review and will add a few key details that stood out to me only after receiving it and playing with it. Really a YouTube review would be fitting to cover everything this thing has to offer.I recently installed 3 different head units ranging from $150 to $1000, with this being the final. The key for me that I learned from the $1000 unit (Stinger HORIZON10) is that I absolutely needed a double DIN-fitting screen (7"), as a larger screen would block my shifter or HVAC due to the added depth and height required. Initially I really wanted Android Auto integration, but found after this unit that I really don't need it since this unit itself is basically an Android phone (given the 4G SIM option), and a snappy one at that. It is absolutely loaded with features, that even the Stinger unit was missing. Also notable is that I deliberately chose this Gen 2 over the Gen 3 because the Gen 3 removes features such as optical out, charges more, and the only upgrade seems to be slightly more RAM.** Biggest Pros (for me):- External Wifi, 4G, and GPS antennae: While I don't really need the Wifi to be external (since I'm sitting right next to it), it feels more complete to have it. I assume it's also the Bluetooth antenna though, since the two almost always reside on the same chip, which will be nice if you're at an event and want to walk away with your phone with music still playing.- Integrated GPS: Makes Android Auto obsolete and allows the use of offline maps. This is huge because I wanted something that could use my Garmin-formatted topo maps, and given that it's running Android, I just need to configure and install the Orux Maps app.- TPMS(!): I did not even realize this until days after I installed it, but it has a TPMS built in complete with pressure warnings. My truck is too old to have the sensors in the tires, but now I could add them if I wanted!- Android OS: Fully fledged Android 10. Can connect your Play account, or use Aurora (like I did) after grabbing Fdroid from the inbuilt Chrome browser (disable that after and install Firefox).- Torque (Pro) Preinstalled: This surprised me, since it's a paid app. (Possibly illegal on the manufacturer's part, unless they formed some kind of contract. I own the app though, so I'm not guilty of anything myself).- Optical out: Takes all the mess of running 6 (5 in this case) RCA coaxial cables out to my DSP. Also seemed to result in a better sound from the DSP it's driving, which I would place the blame on the preamp circuitry of this head unit on.- Gestures: At first I thought I would not use these, but there are a few that work very well, and are arguably requirements since the volume/navigation controls are buttons rather than knobs. I have the "rotate clockwise" as increase volume, "rotate counterclockwise" as decrease volume, and "wave" as go to home. They work very consistently, which is a pleasant surprise.- Dual camera triggers and inputs: The unit provides apps to look at the two camera feeds manually, or I believe there are triggers you can set up (like reverse in for the rear cam). This will be handy for me once I get the proper cameras since I like one to view the bed of my truck for hauling (front cam), and adding a reverse cam will be an awesome upgrade in general.** Cons (for me):- Instruction manual is for hardware install, nothing about the software, so it took a bit of tinkering to figure out the features and tweaks I could make.- Included bracket for mounting was very weird and did not line up with the adapter holes I had with the last 3 HUs I had which worked fine. This made it the hardest install by far.- Some bloatware included: Some you can remove, some you can disable, some you have to keep.- The OS is missing some customization settings: For instance, it automatically reduces the volume when you restart the car, it does not and start playing Bluetooth audio automatically - I often have to hit play from my phone, it defaults to BT phone, so you have to tap an extra button to even get to the BT audio screen, and there is no widget for BT audio at all (only radio and music files). You cannot define any of these behaviors differently. If you can't tell, I mainly rely on BT audio from my phone, so these are vexing problems. Perhaps an update would help, but that page simply says "contact ATOTO".- No HD radio. I couldn't find any "Asian" radios with HD radio though, not sure what's up with that, but it's a sad miss on something otherwise so fully-featured.** Honorable mentions:- Can reverse tether (mobile hotspot). So if you pay for it to have 4G service, you have a wifi hotspot in the car. Presumably the external antenna will be superior to your phones for low-service areas.- The Speed-Dependent Volume Control doesn't seem to be working for me. I assume it must use the inbuilt GPS for this since there is no speedo wire. Maybe I need to get on the freeway to test for sure.- Android Auto works through a 3rd party app, which makes sense because you wouldn't expect the Android OS to act as a client of Android Auto, normally the server. This could present some technical difficulties though, as if you're providing WiFi service using your phone for the head unit (through hotspot), it needs to work on different Wifi bands (eg: 2.4/5GHz) than the Android Auto casting. This complexity and lack of benefit (due to the feature-rich head unit) means I don't really use AA currently.- For some reason the AA audio sounds slightly different than BT audio from the same source (my phone - Spotify). Not sure if AA innately applies some sort of EQ to audio sources, or if there is really a stark difference in quality between BT APTX-HD and Wifi-based.- 4x USB I/O ports. One is "quick charge", though I haven't tested it's actual charging capabilities yet. Another is for phone mirroring. Another is for external storage, and one is specifically labeled "DVR", but the instructions don't clarify the differences. I'll be working these into the center console using adapters for a seamless finish.- The included Google Maps needs to be updated to work. It's running an ancient version and the background maps don't load otherwise.

Why choose the Atoto S8 Ultra Gen 2? Well if you want a head unit in your car/truck that work like an android tablet then this is the one you want! The Atoto S8 Ultra Gen 2 is pack with a lot of features and the touch screen display is very responsive. This is the best of the best car stereo out there folk!! You can spend up to $1,000 - $2,000 on a known brand car stereo like Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, Boss, etc. but you won't find anything like what the Atoto S8 Ultra Gen 2 has. What make this unit quite unique is that you have the ability to access to the internet and you have the ability to download pretty much anything you wanted! You can download app like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video & so much more. You can even play game on this thing! This unit will make your old/new car act like a smart car.This stereo + the CA-AEC02 was a gife for my father's truck. My father said he loved it. That great which is what i wanted to hear =). I also love it and now my sister also wanted one for her car. I will start recommending it to more friends and family members. I think it is better than a lot of top quality known brand car stereos out there. You're pretty much restricted to what you can do with them but with the Atoto S8 Ultra Gen 2 they gave you the freedom to fully download/customize what you want on it which is what I really like. If you want a head unit that act like a smart car then you got to go with ATOTO! You won't be disappointed!Now I heard the S8 Gen 3 will be release. I'm excited. I hope it packs with a lot more ram, better cpu & gpu. If the S8 Ultra Gen 3 come out with an Oled 4k display than it is an instant buy for me. I believe this could be the #1 brand car stereo for the foreseeable future. Atoto deserve more recognition!If you have any questions or problems with your unit you can head over to ATOTO Android Head Unit Owners OFFICIAL on facebook or r/ATOTO on reddit the community over there are very helpful.

I love the flexibility and car integration options this format offers. Interface is quick and accurate. Sound quality is on par compared to basic head units out there.I ended up upgraded the amp to an aftermarket 100 watts X2 and better speakers in my vehicle which was a big improvement. I tried it first with stock speakers and the Atoto without the new amp, with the new amp only and then the new speakers and new amp. The amp was a big improvement not only in power but sound quality from top to bottom.There is a faint scratchy sound from the Atoto after 5 minutes of listening which comes and goes. This also happened with just the Atoto and the stock speakers and no new amp. It also didn’t happen with the original radio. Like many car head units, the EQ and DSP section is not the best. A lot of harsh digital artifacts in the sound when used.All in all though, the sound quality is acceptable for a car.A couple of features I don’t like are:The always changing colors for the screen and button. I haven’t found any way to get it to stop. This is typically “RETAIL MODE” on other units. It is distracting.The spectrum analyzer in the music app is strictly for show. It does not represent the music playing. The lows and highs are boosted in all music playback even if you cut it down all the way. And it changes color constantly as well.If there is a fix for either of these, please let me know. I haven’t found one in the manual or on line yet.Features I do like are:Incredible flexibility.Back up camera on a 10” screen.Front and rear camera inputs.Upgradeability.I hope that it last for at least 7 years and that I will be able to upgrade it over those 7 years. Longer would be better. It should for my $600. I also would like to see improvements made to these types of units in the future.