BUT THE STEREO LOOKS THE SAME...

We get this question a lot.  Many people will purchase a price based stereo believe it is the same - but it is what you cannot see which counts.

  


The easiest way to tell your supplier from another is if they offer 2 things
1) AM Radio.  Whether you use it or not is irrelevant.  The build for AM will always be superior and costly.  The Chinese want to sell
and so make things as cheap as possible. If they offer it then great, but if it is not an option - stay away.
2) Android Auto.  This used to be a bench mark but now most units will include wireless Android Auto

Other tells to see if you have junk is often offering very late Android versions.  There are programs around (like Aida64) which will tell you
what the real hardware is.  The internet is full of stories of people who think they were getting a bargain, only to find their stereo has
been "tricked up" to display a later Android Version and specs. If there is no wireless Android Auto your stereo will be Android 8 or 9
as it only started in 10. 

Lastly when comparing specs the cheaper units will offer a 2/32 or 4/64 in quad core (without stating this).  Octacore is the current benchmark

There is no such thing as a bargain when buying from Chinese based sellers.  Cheaply made units will overheat and normally last 6-12 months.