ATOTO S8 Ultra Car Head Unit Review

With car stereos evolving over the years, the lines between tablet and car audio have blurred, so we wanted to touch on some of the best head units to see what they bring to your car. This is how we found ourselves looking at the ATOTO S8 Ultra, one of the more interesting options on the market. With considerable experience reviewing phones, tablets and all types of computers, I was eager to put this Android-powered unit through its paces. While it may not meet everyone’s needs, the S8 Ultra offers a robust feature set and impressive performance that will satisfy most users.

At its core, the ATOTO S8 Ultra is a double DIN Android head unit that aims to bring modern connectivity and functionality to older vehicles. Running on Android 10, it boasts a colourful 7-inch display that remains easily visible even in direct sunlight. The unit’s design is simple and unobtrusive, blending seamlessly with most vehicle interiors. In my case, it felt modern but definitely aftermarket in my 2016 Subaru Impreza; however, it did give the car a much-needed tech upgrade.

This brings me to why the ATOTO S8 Ultra is such an upgrade, and it comes down to the level of connectivity it offers. The ATOTO S8 Ultra is equipped with built-in cellular capability, dual Bluetooth chips, and Wi-Fi. This means you’re not tethered to your phone’s hotspot for internet access, a common pain point with many aftermarket head units. The cellular functionality is a game-changer, allowing the unit to operate independently of your smartphone. This proved especially useful during long drives, as I didn’t have to worry about draining my phone’s battery or dealing with spotty hotspot connections.

“The ATOTO S8 Ultra is equipped with built-in cellular capability, dual Bluetooth chips, and Wi-Fi.”

While simple, the S8 Ultra’s interface is intuitive and responsive, thanks to its octa-core processor. Navigating through menus, launching apps and multitasking felt smooth and lag-free. The ability to install and run Android apps directly on the unit opens up a world of possibilities. Whether it’s your favourite navigation app, music streaming service or even productivity tools, the ATOTO S8 Ultra can handle it all. This flexibility is a significant advantage over traditional car stereos or even some factory infotainment systems. I was surprised at how easy everything was to set up. Once installed, I was on the Google Play Store in minutes, able to download anything I normally would on my smartphone.

For many, the ATOTO S8 Ultra’s support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is one of its best features, ensuring seamless integration with your smartphone regardless of your preferred ecosystem. In my testing, the wireless connectivity for both platforms worked reliably, connecting quickly and maintaining a stable connection throughout my drives. It’s worth noting that you can’t simultaneously use Android Auto or CarPlay while connected to your home Wi-Fi, but this is a minor inconvenience given the unit’s built-in cellular capabilities.

Coming from the stock Subaru audio system, sound quality was at the top of my list for improvement, and thankfully the ATOTO S8 Ultra did not disappoint. Out of the box, the audio performance was decent, but it truly shines once you dive into the equalizer settings. The unit offers a range of preset EQ options, but I found the most satisfaction in creating custom EQ profiles.

“Whether it’s your favourite navigation app, music streaming service or even productivity tools, the ATOTO S8 Ultra can handle it all.”

With some tweaking, I was able to coax impressive audio performance from my car’s factory speakers, breathing new life into my music collection. I have now tested numerous Android-based car audio systems, and so far the ATOTO S8 Ultra has delivered the best sound, bar none—something I did not expect going into this review.

The S8 Ultra’s audio prowess extends beyond just music playback. The unit features multiple audio inputs and outputs, including an AUX input, front and rear camera inputs, and four-channel RCA outputs. This flexibility allows for easy integration with existing audio setups or future upgrades. The separate subwoofer output is a nice touch for bass enthusiasts looking to add some extra thump to their system. I was honestly impressed with the level of audio connectivity the unit brought.

That said, if you want to use the ATOTO S8 Ultra with your car’s current hookups and steering wheel controls, you will need a harness that integrates all that connectivity into the unit. You won’t need any additional CAN bus systems, but at least for my car, I had to pick up a harness from Autoharnesshouse. While it costs more than a stock harness, it brings significantly more connectivity. Not every car will need this sort of connection, but for more modern vehicles, it is worth looking at what is available and what options you have to get all stock controls working as intended.

While I did not use it much beyond testing, relying on my phone for most of my music needs, the ATOTO S8 Ultra also brings levels of expandability to the party. With four USB ports, a microSD card slot, and support for external storage devices (including portable SSDs), you’ll never find yourself short on storage space for your media files. This is particularly useful for long road trips or if you prefer to keep your entire music library on board rather than relying on streaming services.

Again, I normally ended up using my phone’s maps while getting around, but I have to say the ATOTO S8 Ultra system makes navigating relatively easy. While online navigation apps like Google Maps work flawlessly when you have a data connection, the ability to download maps for offline use ensures you’re never left stranded in areas with poor cellular coverage. The GPS performance was accurate and reliable in my testing, providing timely and precise directions.

I will say, if you are coming from a standard stereo, there’s a bit of a learning curve involved in getting the most out of the unit. I encountered a few hiccups during the initial setup, particularly with volume control for different audio sources. Thankfully, ATOTO’s settings menu allowed me to fine-tune these levels to fit my needs. These little quirks remind you that you’re dealing with an Android device, and they have their fair share of quirks, especially when there are a plethora of features the unit is trying to bring to the table.

The sheer number of features and settings can be overwhelming at first. While this flexibility is ultimately a strength of the S8 Ultra, it may intimidate less tech-savvy users. That said, once you have everything set up to your liking, day-to-day operation becomes much more straightforward. Be prepared to spend several hours getting everything installed and working the way you want. This is not a task to undertake when you have a spare hour after work—getting the unit installed and working is a process, but the results are noticeable compared to stock systems.

You should also expect longer boot times compared to the standard car system it shipped with. While not excessively long, there is a noticeable delay from when you start your car to when the unit is fully operational. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re used to the instant-on nature of traditional car stereos.

Despite these small issues, the ATOTO S8 Ultra represents excellent value for money and brings a lot to the table for a relatively reasonable price. The S8 Ultra stands out with its built-in cellular connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, expandability options, and the ability to run Android apps natively. Comparable units from more established brands often come with a significantly higher price tag without offering the same level of functionality. Combine that with the audio quality it offers, and it is easy to see why ATOTO units come highly recommended.

The S8 Ultra isn’t perfect—the initial learning curve and occasional quirks prevent it from achieving absolute top marks. However, for those willing to invest a little time in setup and customization, it offers a level of functionality and flexibility that’s hard to beat at this price point. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast looking for a playground in your dashboard or simply someone who wants to bring modern connectivity to an older vehicle, the ATOTO S8 Ultra is well worth considering. It’s a solid performer that, with a little patience, can significantly enhance your daily driving experience.

<div data-conversation-spotlight></div>