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I believe the brand is MTK Android 8.1 - 4G RAM + 64G ROM 8Core 2012-2018 Mercedes Benz ML / GLE Class Original OEM FIT Replacement 9″ Android Screen | GPS | WIFI | BT | A2DP | USB MULTIMEDIA. I am not sure or am aware of the Bluetooth problem, but it seems that all have some sort of small bugs and problems, I am mainly doing it for Apple CarPlay.
Also one of the reasons I went with 4x4Shop in Canada is, first they are closer and respond quickly. They have videos on youtube warning to be aware of dishonest sellers, meaning they are selling you and android 8.1 but in reality is a 4.4.2 or 7.1 with an 8.1 overlay. They even show you the process and application you can use to detect if you been scammed..
You can also but for I believe US$59.00 live support, where you can do video conference with their techs.
hello guys. Does anyone knows how hard or if it's even possible to upgrade the Android 8.1 screen to Android 9 or 10. What is needed and has been successful doing it.
Well, I finally pulled trigger after almost two years watching and learning from you guys. Really glad I waited since I got everything I wanted: newest 9” screen, yes, the bigger size, with newest 8 core Qualcomm processor and android 10. More importantly, on the droid 10, no more of that strange icon on the left side of the screen like in 8.1 and older OS.
Lastly, built in wireless CarPlay and it works great.
One thing to confirm, still has to use ami cable to Aux to make sound work on the android side.
I guess my patience paid off. It seems like Aliexpress is the only place to get the android 10 units.
I found the best price and feature set from this listing, I got the top of the line, N600 unit, received in Seattle in 5 days from China.
Not to doubt you but I just happened to buy the 9" screen advertised as 4GB ROM - 64GB RAM and 1920x720 sporting Android 8.1. Only to find out by running Android Info and AIDA64 that in reality it has 3GB ROM - 54.12GB RAM and 1020x600 resolution with Marshmallow 6.0 with an 8.1 overlay. Now this is total ROM and RAM not taking in consideration the memory use by the Android system.
I am not yet going to say yet where I bought it from until I hear back as to what they are going to do for me.
Before I follow your steps and pulled the trigger on your android unit, would you mind running any of those two above mentioned android apps and post your finding?
Thanks Much in advance..
Last edited by Eric@wages; May 22, 2020 at 12:08 AM.
Well, my numbers look good and are mostly true except the same screen resolution issue you have. I will have to confirm with the seller.
I am quite picky hence the long wait since I did not like some of the issues these early units and OS have.
From my research, unfortunately, the place you bought it from looks to be just another importer/reseller with a fancy site and domestic location. I really do hope they will step up and helping resolve your issues.
I am really excited about the updated look of the dash, beautiful screen, no ugly icon on the left side, and more importantly, wireless carplay.
I can live with the lower resolution since it’s still much better than the factory screen. In fact, in the android setting, image and video are in HD and look wonderful.
I have spoken to the dealer and they are getting these new units next week. They will according to my conversations with them exchange the unit once they get it next week.. Those are the specs I was looking for and if Android 10 is included with no overlay as you posted I will be happy taking the 1024x600 screen resolution. I think the only way to jump to the HD 1920x720 or even 1280x720 screen is going with the 10.1" screen which is a 16x9 screen. Unfortunately too big for the ML's.
Also one other think to take into consideration is the higher dpi. 320 is much better than 240 dpi.
Again Thanks Much.
Last edited by Eric@wages; May 22, 2020 at 07:21 PM.
Be certain that they give you the top of the line, Qualcomm 8653 snapdragon 8 core unit, pictured in my photo.
This is the only 8 core model that has the built in wireless CarPlay which works great. Most of the screens require a separate CarPlay dongle, either wired or wireless, not convenient.
Also insist on android 10 os as there is no software os 10 upgrade I know of. Really glad this os got rid of the ugly bright icon on the left side of the screen.
Be certain that they give you the top of the line, Qualcomm 8653 snapdragon 8 core unit, pictured in my photo.
This is the only 8 core model that has the built in wireless CarPlay which works great. Most of the screens require a separate CarPlay dongle, either wired or wireless, not convenient.
Also insist on android 10 os as there is no software os 10 upgrade I know of. Really glad this os got rid of the ugly bright icon on the left side of the screen.
Best luck with the upgrade.
What is the Bluetooth AMI cable needed for?
can I still pair/talk using OE Bluetooth and steering wheel controls?
When you are in the oem environment, everything works as now.
Ami to aux cable or ami to Bluetooth is for when you are in the android system, including wireless CarPlay, you need to set factory audio to Aux, to get sound, including Waze, google Nav, play music from your phone, video though android screen, etc.
when you are in OE mode you can still use all of the OE functions. As soon as you touch the screen and enter Android mode your OE mode screen settings stop working, meaning radio, CD, BT, Maps, etc... However, while in Android mode you still have use of certain steering controls such as volume up - down - mute, etc.
just a quick question: when you say Apple Car Play wireless. Do you mean the unit comes pre-loaded with Apple Car play? Is there an apple carplay icon on the screen?
So no dongle wired or wireless will be needed? How is the discovery of your iphone, fast?
Yes, only in this particular newest Qualcomm 8 core or 4 core model, the wireless carplay hardware feature is built in the android screen. It's very important that you ask them to source a Qualcomm unit for you. Otherwise, I would walk away. Do not take their MTK units, which is what they currently sell, and is what you have, I believe. These units require a wired or wireless dongle, as stated on their site.
After you set it up the first time, it connects automatically and wirelessly every time you get in the car, works great. Same feature as in the new high end Mercedes and BMW. Great to have Live Waze, google maps, etc. If you have ios 13, you can even do one thing, like a map on the screen and a different app on the phone.
I am not familiar with the wiring diagram on these units, but on virtually all the aftermarket systems that use the OEM 7" LCD one can easily ignore the AMI cable (and the associated wiring) by enabling AUX in the MB Engineering Mode.
On all those units, audio (L/R) is included in the main power/data harness. It seems weird that the newer boxes with screens would not have the same capability as the older screen-less units.
To everyone on this thread, DO NOT go into engineering mode to mess with AUX or other settings, I tried and LOST my AUX, SAT, as well as MEDIA INTERFACE selections, had to spent $150 for dealer to reprogram my command unit. I even lost SOUND for all selections. Yes, I took photos of the default settings and even tried to put all settings back, STILL NO LUCK.
Be certain that they give you the top of the line, Qualcomm 8653 snapdragon 8 core unit, pictured in my photo.
This is the only 8 core model that has the built in wireless CarPlay which works great. Most of the screens require a separate CarPlay dongle, either wired or wireless, not convenient.
Also insist on android 10 os as there is no software os 10 upgrade I know of. Really glad this os got rid of the ugly bright icon on the left side of the screen.
Best luck with the upgrade.
I also notice from your pictures, the speedometer screen now reflects MPH instead of the km/hr, that bugged me along with that stupid blue ribbon and the screen resolution was a step back from the upgrade. Now if they bring in 5G would be awesome to future proof it (not a deal-breaker but nice to have).
What does the app screen look like? Can you download apps? I'm really considering this improved device, I always hated the OEM screen, very dated from today's car screens.
Also, is the install process a little more streamline than before? I know some folks had issues in getting the GPS and audio to work.
I really like my screen, glad I waited for all the reasons I mentioned.
Yes, you can download anything from the android store. You can even download the free offline Google nav map in case you don't have data/hotspot in the car. The wireless carplay feature is great and specially in ios 13, where I can use the phone and have live google map on the android screen in the GL.
I have no issue with the built in GPS's signal, I placed on the under side of dash board. Some folks were able to use a splitter and utilize the factory GPS antenna.
I was using ami cable for android audio, although I actually got audio working though bluetooth and wireless carplay today. It was NOT though AUX or ami cable settings.
I am able to see the screen and back up camera quite clearly. The ips screen is beautiful and resolution is better than the small OEM screen. Maps and videos look great.
I had to trim and put on an ipad screen protector, otherwise, you can't see anything with polarized sunglasses.
I really like my screen, glad I waited for all the reasons I mentioned.
Yes, you can download anything from the android store. You can even download the free offline Google nav map in case you don't have data/hotspot in the car. The wireless carplay feature is great and specially in ios 13, where I can use the phone and have live google map on the android screen in the GL.
I have no issue with the built in GPS's signal, I placed on the under side of dash board. Some folks were able to use a splitter and utilize the factory GPS antenna.
I was using ami cable for android audio, although I actually got audio working though bluetooth and wireless carplay today. It was NOT though AUX or ami cable settings.
I am able to see the screen and back up camera quite clearly. The ips screen is beautiful and resolution is better than the small OEM screen. Maps and videos look great.
I had to trim and put on an ipad screen protector, otherwise, you can't see anything with polarized sunglasses.
Thank you for the response, a few more questions came to mind:
Do you notice a difference in audio quality since the change? Also, do you have the Bang and Olufsen option?
Any of you have experienced battery issues or electric problems after install ? My friend is a tech in Mercedes. He recommends I don’t do it because he’s seen many of those issues. Thanks
No Issues. This is a plug and play unit, basically a replacement screen with more features. If you have to mess with cutting and splicing wires, then maybe.
IMHO, they don't teach "techs" to repair things now days, only to replace things....
Actually, my MB dealer is very impressed with this unit.
Thank you for the response, a few more questions came to mind:
Do you notice a difference in audio quality since the change? Also, do you have the Bang and Olufsen option?
Thanks!
Yes, sound quality though bluetooth is better than though ami/aux, no difference than in OEM setting. At least for me, I had to add an inline ground loop noise filter on the ami cable to media interface plug in the center console, but nothing is needed though bluetooth or via carplay.
I am happy with my HK sound in OEM and android settings.
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