If you wanted to add some extremely cool Apple CarPlay features to your existing car without having to buy a specific new car, Pioneer may have you covered.
Over at CES 2026, the audio company announced its new Sphera aftermarket in-dash receiver with support for a premium CarPlay feature. Per 9to5Mac, the feature adds Dolby Atmos playback in CarPlay. To date, in-vehicle Dolby Atmos has been available only in models equipped with Dolby Atmos-enabled sound systems. With the Sphera package, this feature can be installed in millions of existing vehicles.
From an audio perspective, the feature adds Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio to all cars, utilizing an optimized 4-channel solution that leverages the existing front and rear speakers via Pioneer’s “Pure Autotuning” technology. This technology adds to the variety of sizes, shapes, and materials found within vehicle cabins, as Pure Autotuning precisely adjusts time alignment, frequency response, and channel levels to optimize performance and place the listener at the acoustical center position.
Included with this is a 10.1-inch HD capacitive display that offers easy access to key features and controls. Other features include wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth.
The Pioneer Sphera package will be priced from $1,300 up and be available this spring.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via 9to5Mac
