BYD Drops Signature Rotating Screens for Better Smartphone Integration

BYD Rotating Screen Discontinuation

24th November 2025, Kathmandu

BYD, the global electric vehicle giant, is phasing out its highly unique and often-promoted rotating infotainment screens.

BYD Rotating Screen Discontinuation

This decision marks a significant shift in the company’s interior design philosophy. The primary reason for the move is rooted in technology and the user experience.

The BYD Rotating Screen Discontinuation begins with the new Atto 2 model. The company explains that the feature is no longer practical because popular smartphone projection systems, specifically Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, simply do not function correctly in a vertical (portrait) layout.

This strategic change aims to achieve two key objectives: significantly improve the user experience and maintain a cleaner, simpler interior aesthetic across its expanding model range.

While the rotating screen served as a visual differentiator for BYD in the early days of its global expansion, practical application demands a fixed, horizontal display. All upcoming BYD models will follow the Atto 2’s lead, moving to a standard fixed landscape display.

The Practical Challenge of Vertical Apps

BYD Vice President Stella Li provided clear reasoning for the decision. She acknowledged that while customers initially liked the novelty of the rotating screen, its actual usage was minimal. More critically, the rotating mechanism proved limiting for essential smartphone connectivity apps.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now core expectations for most modern car buyers globally. These systems are specifically designed and optimized to operate best, or exclusively, in landscape mode.

A rotating screen creates compatibility issues and a disjointed experience for these apps. The display would often revert to landscape even if the screen was physically rotated to portrait. This defeats the original purpose of the feature and complicates the user interface.

Focusing on Seamless Integration

Earlier, BYD had promoted the portrait mode as beneficial for navigation and ease of use, especially when the vehicle was stationary. However, global trends now dictate that the vast majority of new vehicles utilize fixed landscape screens. The industry standard supports this format, and the smartphone-based mirroring systems are built around it.

This shift by BYD demonstrates a strong commitment to integrating third-party technologies seamlessly. Vice President Li stated that BYD seeks deeper partnerships with major tech players like Apple and Google. A fixed screen significantly streamlines this technological integration.

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It minimizes interface compromises and ensures a smoother, more reliable connection between the vehicle’s operating system and the user’s smartphone. This dedication to core technology improves the driver’s overall interaction with the car.

The New Design Philosophy: Simplicity and Clarity

The BYD Rotating Screen Discontinuation also aligns with a growing industry preference for design simplicity. The new fixed screen layout allows BYD to deliver a cleaner, more focused dashboard design.

While the rotating screen was a popular gimmick, its absence contributes to a more mature and refined cabin environment. It emphasizes functional elegance over flashy novelty.

A fixed horizontal screen provides a consistent field of view. It reduces mechanical complexity and potential points of failure, which naturally appeals to customers seeking reliability.

This new approach allows BYD to concentrate its software development efforts on optimizing the core functionality that drivers actually use every day. It ensures the focus remains on essential features like navigation, media control, and safety alerts, presented clearly and consistently.

Meeting Global EV Expectations

As BYD rapidly scales its global operations, particularly with ambitious plans for markets like Europe, aligning with international standards becomes paramount. The widespread adoption of fixed landscape screens is a global expectation.

By abandoning the rotating feature, BYD signals its willingness to adapt to customer feedback and industry norms. This pivot ensures the BYD Rotating Screen Discontinuation strategy supports broader market acceptance.

Ultimately, the decision reflects a maturation in BYD’s product strategy. The company prioritizes essential functionality and stable integration over experimental features.

The move to a fixed landscape display ensures the next generation of BYD EVs, like the Atto 2, delivers a superior, connected, and hassle-free driving experience, setting a new benchmark for smart mobility.

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