BYD DolphinOwner's Guide · BYD

Dolphin Complete Guide

Compact hatchback from BYD — Blade LFP, cute design, BYD's most affordable EV in Gulf.

A closer look

In detail

1 / 9

Source: BYD official media

⚡ Battery Electric9 commands12 apps5 Gulf tips4 quick tasks16 hacks1 quiz questionsSome estimatesModel 2025 · first launched 2023Reviewed 22 May 202617 min read

Overview

Young Gulf first-time EV buyers — great price, simple maintenance.

  • Blade LFP battery
  • Compact size for Gulf cities
  • V2L 3.3 kW
  • BYD's cheapest EV in Gulf

Watch the car

A quick EV Gulf promo built from verified car photography, plus any available official footage—all playable on-site and ready to share.

EV Gulf Video HubA dedicated video for every guide car

Watch the BYD Dolphin

2 OEM videos + an EV Gulf spec film

Range427 km
Battery60.48 kWh
Power204 HP
0–1007 s
BYD Dolphin 2025

BYD Dolphin 2025

Photo film · 1 / 9

EV Gulf

Charging

Home · AC
11 kW
~6h full charge

11 kW AC.

Connector: Type 2
Fast · DC
88 kW
10–80% in 45 min

Modest DC — rely on home AC.

400V · Connector: CCS2
Cost per charge
≈ 0.137 BHD
home, 0–100%

V2L: 3.3 kW — V2L 3.3 kW.

Gulf charging notes

  • LFP in heat = total safety. Charge 100% daily.

See Kuwait charging stations on the mapOpen map →

Real-world range calculator

See your real range under heat, AC, and speed.

20°50°
80160
Estimated range
295 km
87% of nominal

Estimate — actual range varies with driving style, AC, and weather.

Charging cost calculator

Compare your EV charging cost with petrol fuel.

Electricity rate: 0.002 KWD/kWh

10300
Your yearly cost
6.012 KWD
monthly: 0.494 KWD · daily: 0.016 KWD
If petrol instead
139.613 KWD
Savings
133.601 KWD/yr
−96%
668.004 KWD saved over 5 years — that's more than half a car in some cases.

Estimate — rates vary by tier and time. Public DC fast charging usually 2-3× home cost.

Voice Commands

Voice command library — verified members only

Join free and verify your email + phone to unlock every command in Arabic, English and Chinese — with audio playback and saved shortcuts.

Verify once — it unlocks member perks across the whole platform.

Apps & Software

Official companions, cockpit software, and tools every owner needs — with Gulf availability notes.

i99dash

FeaturedVerified
Third-party

Turn your BYD screen into a smart cockpit — Arabic AI voice assistant + Telegram remote control

  • Conversational AI voice assistant (full Arabic + English): “set temp to 22”, “open the window”, “where’s my car?”
  • Remote control via Telegram: lock/unlock, start AC, locate the car (car must be powered on)
  • Thousands of global radio stations + live TV channels on the car screen
  • Full comfort control: AC, seat heat/cool/massage, ambient lighting, fragrance system
  • Mini-app store: Prayer Times, Quran, wallpapers — new free mini apps monthly
  • Arabic, English and Russian · one-time ~5-min pairing, automatic OTA updates

Supports DiLink 5.0 (Song Plus/L, Han, Tang, Seal 07/06 GT, Sea Lion 06/07, Denza N7/N8/D9) and DiLink 5.1 (Han L, Tang L, Denza N9, Z9). Note: the international Atto 3 (DiLink 4) is not on the published compatibility list. Activate: scan the QR on the car screen, log in with Telegram.

Car ScreenTelegramFree tier · 48h trial of the ONE premium plan, then ~$50/yearWebsite

BYD App

Verified
Official

Official BYD companion — remote control, charging status, and car location

  • Remote lock/unlock and AC start
  • Battery state of charge + remaining range
  • Remote seat ventilation and heating
  • Find car (flash lights / honk)

Available in Gulf app stores for official-dealer cars. China imports may need a Chinese account — ask the dealer before buying.

iOSAndroidFree

Import Screen Toolkit

Verified
Third-party

The community-proven kit to get YouTube, Google Maps and an Arabic keyboard onto your imported car's screen

  • GBox (free): runs Google services — YouTube, Google Maps, Netflix — in a sandbox on GMS-less screens
  • Aurora Store (free, open source): download Play Store apps with no Google account, straight from the screen
  • Gboard: Arabic/English typing replacing the Chinese-only factory keyboard on imports
  • Google Maps or Waze on the factory screen — full Gulf coverage unlike the Chinese factory nav
  • Install: ADB from a laptop (adb install -g) — the same path i99dash uses. On BYD install AppManager first to unlock installs

Proven by thousands of owners (XDA + Russian and Gulf communities). Verified caveats: BYD removed ADB in v1.7+ (newer units need a downgrade or an AI Box), OTA updates can wipe apps, and video on the driver screen while moving is illegal and unsafe. APKs must be arm64-v8a.

Car ScreenCompletely freeWebsite

Carlinkit AutoKit

Verified
Third-party

Adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to any Android car screen

  • Full CarPlay + Android Auto, wired and wireless
  • No wiring changes — plugs into USB, fully reversible
  • Online firmware upgrades via the AutoKit app

Thousands of Amazon owner reviews — the standard in the head-unit scene. On newer locked BYD DiLink units owners use the AI Box hardware variant instead of the APK — warranty-safe and non-invasive.

Car ScreenAndroidAPK free · dongle ~$60-90Website

Fermata Auto

Verified
Third-party

Unlocks YouTube, IPTV, video and web browsing inside Android Auto — free and open source

  • Local video, IPTV (m3u) and YouTube on the car screen via Android Auto
  • Built-in web browser and screen mirroring
  • Works without root on Android 14/15/16

Installs on your phone (not the head unit) and needs developer mode + Unknown sources in Android Auto settings. For cars with Android Auto. Video while driving is unsafe and illegal — passengers and parked use only.

AndroidFree (GitHub)Website

EV Gulf charging map

Verified
Charging

The Gulf's community charging map — live status, owner reviews, and the 'free the charger' ping

  • Gulf + Jordan stations with owner reviews and comments
  • Live status reports: working / broken / crowded / ICE'd
  • Ping the car blocking the charger via its QR sticker
  • Nearest stations to you in one tap

Every report you file earns reputation and helps the next owner — this is OUR map, grown by our community.

WebFree — part of your membershipWebsite

EV Gulf trip planner

Verified
Utility

Plan your Gulf road trip with charge stops tuned to OUR summer heat — not Europe's weather

  • Ready corridors: Kuwait ↔ KSA ↔ UAE ↔ Jordan
  • Accounts for heat and speed impact on your car's range
  • Charge stops from our live map — no stale listings

Built for our roads: Salmi corridor, the Causeway, Riyadh–Dammam — under real summer conditions.

WebFreeWebsite

Car Scanner ELM OBD2

Verified
Utility

Read live EV battery data with a cheap Bluetooth OBD dongle

  • Built-in profiles for BYD Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion, Denza and more
  • Live data: SoC, voltage, current, battery temperatures
  • Works with any ELM327 Bluetooth adapter (~$10-30)
  • Reads/clears fault codes on most brands

Used-buyer alert: true battery health (SOH) is NOT exposed via standard OBD on BYD — you get SoC and voltages only. For an authoritative report before buying a used BYD: dealer diagnostic (VDS) or a pro tool like the Foxwell NT710.

iOSAndroidFree (ads) · Pro one-time ~$10Website

EVIQ

Verified
Charging

Saudi Arabia's national fast-charging network (PIF + Saudi Electricity Co.)

  • 100–350 kW fast chargers with reservations
  • Real-time availability, connector type and power
  • Unified in-app payment
  • Highway corridors (Riyadh–Qassim and more)

KSA only — the must-have app for any EV owner in Saudi Arabia. Network targets 5,000 chargers by 2030.

iOSAndroidFree app · pay per kWhWebsite

Electromin

Verified
Charging

Petromin's charging network — 200+ locations across Saudi Arabia

  • AC & DC chargers with slot reservation
  • Start/stop charging remotely
  • Built-in EV route planner
  • Pay with mada, STC Pay, Apple Pay

KSA — largest network by locations (200+), strong at urban/retail sites. Complements EVIQ.

iOSAndroidFree app · cashless paymentWebsite

UAEV

Verified
Charging

The UAE's federal charging network — expanding nationwide

  • Government-owned (Ministry of Energy + Etihad WE)
  • Fast chargers on federal inter-city roads
  • Session start, payment and history in-app
  • 24/7 support

UAE only — key for trips outside Dubai (Northern Emirates, Abu Dhabi highways). Scaling to 1,000 chargers by 2030.

iOSAndroidFree app · standardized national tariffs

DEWA EV Green Charger

Verified
Charging

Dubai's original charging network — 1,860+ charging points

  • Map of Green Charger points across Dubai; check live availability in the app
  • Live availability and session activation
  • EV account registration & billing via DEWA

Dubai only — registration is optional: guests can start via QR in Guest Mode and pay directly.

iOSAndroidWebFree app · AED 0.70/kWh AC or AED 1.20/kWh DC + VAT for registered accountsWebsite

Full Specifications

Battery & Range

Battery
60.48 kWh Blade LFP
WLTP
427 km
Gulf real
~340 km

Performance

Power
174 hp
0-100
7.9 sec

Dimensions

Length
4,290 mm
Seats
5

Gulf Tips

Practical Gulf guidance — separating verified experience from estimates and pending specifications.

Pre-condition before driving

In Gulf heat, pre-cool from the car's app 10 min before driving — cabin drops from 60° to 25°.

Prayer mode

Park, hit 'Cabin Mode → Quiet'. AC stays on, music mutes, displays dim.

Charging in Ramadan

Best fast-charge window: 4-6 PM (before iftar, stations empty). Avoid 8-10 PM peak.

Perfect for tight Gulf streets

4.29m length = easier parking than KIA Soul. Great for old souqs + classic malls.

Coastal rust checks

If you live near the coast, inspect door sills and edges every 6 months for paint bubbles — rust starts inside-out and early treatment is far cheaper.

Summer Survival Mode

0/10 · 0%

Checklist to prep your EV for 50°C summers. Each item extends battery life and improves your daily drive.

Keys & Access

BYD App

Recommended

Bluetooth.

NFC card

Backup.

Driving Assist

ACC + Lane Keep

L2

Highway assist.

AEB

Auto Emergency Braking.

Safety

  • EuroNCAP 5 stars

    5-star Euro NCAP rating (2023).

  • Blade LFP — doesn't ignite

    Exceptional thermal safety.

  • 6 airbags

    Comprehensive.

Quick Tasks

How do I X — quick tasks every owner should know.

Pre-cool before driving

  1. Open the car app
  2. Climate → Pre-cool
  3. Set timer (5-15 min)
  4. Get in cooled

Schedule night charging

  1. Plug in
  2. Charge → Schedule
  3. Set 23:00 - 06:00
  4. Save — car charges automatically

Camp Mode for sleeping

  1. Park in P
  2. Activate Camp Mode from menu
  3. AC stays on without key
  4. Uses ~1 kWh/hour

Software update

  1. Connect to WiFi
  2. Settings → Software → Check Update
  3. Accept if available
  4. Updates while parked (30-90 min)

Hacks & Secrets

Hidden features, easter eggs, and tricks you won't find in the manual — from real owners.

  • Gulf-Specific

    Pre-cool from the app at home

    Open the car app 10 min before leaving. Cabin cools, battery pre-conditions for charging. Saves time, max comfort in 50° summers.

  • Money Saver

    Schedule charging at off-peak rates

    In countries with time-of-use rates (UAE Slab 1), schedule 23:00-06:00 to save 20-40% on your electricity bill.

  • Comfort

    Camp Mode for sleeping or waiting

    Park in P, enable Camp Mode from menu or voice command. AC stays on, screens dim. Uses only ~1 kWh/hour.

  • Performance

    Max regen for less brake wear

    Set regen to highest (One-Pedal or High). Cuts brake wear 60%+ and adds 5-10% range in city traffic.

  • Money Saver

    Bump tire pressure +0.2 bar in summer

    A small bump (~0.2 bar above recommended) reduces rolling resistance and adds 3-5% range. Also a heat-safety win.

  • Hidden Feature

    Close all windows + sunroof from the key fob

    Hold the lock button 3–5s to close all windows (and sunroof); holding unlock opens them to vent a hot cabin. Enable it first: Car Settings → Vehicle → Locks.

  • Hidden Feature

    Three-finger swipe controls the climate

    Three-finger swipe up/down changes temperature, left/right changes fan speed — works on top of any running app. Documented on Atto 3, Seal, Seal U, Sealion and Dolphin.

  • Tip

    Charge the Blade (LFP) to 100% — recommended, not harmful

    Unlike NMC packs, the LFP Blade should hit 100% about weekly to recalibrate the SoC reading. Daily 70–80% is fine; parking over a week? Leave it at 40–60%.

  • Gulf-Specific

    Camping Mode: AC runs while the car is off

    An OTA update added Camping Mode — AC keeps running with the car powered off while the battery is above 20%. Ideal in Gulf summers for waiting in the car or desert trips.

  • Hidden Feature

    V2L: your BYD is a 3.3 kW mobile outlet

    With a V2L adapter in the charge port most BYDs output ~3.3 kW of 220–230V AC — kettle, cooktop and fridge at the kashta. Keep it dry and buy an IP44-rated adapter.

  • Easter Egg

    Built-in karaoke on the car screen

    DiLink supports karaoke (OTA in many markets) with UHF wireless mics via USB — lyrics scroll on screen while parked. BYD even has an official 100,000-song karaoke app partnership.

  • Hidden Feature

    NFC card key: tap the driver's mirror

    Models like Seal and Dolphin ship an NFC card — hold it within 2 cm of the driver's mirror mark for 1–2s to lock/unlock. Keep it in your wallet as backup if the fob battery dies.

  • Easter Egg

    Say “Hi BYD, rotate screen” — and more voice tricks

    The rotating screen flips portrait/landscape by voice — no buttons. The same assistant opens the sunroof, all windows and adjusts AC; the screen also split-screens nav + music.

  • Hidden Feature

    Transparent chassis: see the road under the car

    Inside the 360° camera app a “transparent” mode stitches feeds to show what's beneath and around the car — great for high curbs, off-road rocks and tight parking.

  • Tip

    Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto came via free OTA

    BYD's V1.8.0 OTA added wireless CarPlay to Atto 3, Seal and Dolphin (Android Auto came earlier). Check Settings → System Update — Gulf availability depends on your car's spec.

  • Money SaverAdvanced

    Buying a used BYD? Here's how to check the battery properly

    A cheap OBD dongle + Car Scanner shows SoC, cell voltages and temps (a great first screen) — but true SOH is NOT exposed via standard OBD on BYD. Before paying: get a dealer diagnostic report (VDS) or an independent shop with a pro tool like the Foxwell NT710.

Share a new hack in the community to get it added to this guide.

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 / 1Score: 0

Dolphin vs Atto 3 price?

Agent & parts

Your agent & parts in Bahrain

Fakhro Motors

Long-standing sole BYD distributor; bydbahrain.com. Sales + workshop in Manama area.

Warranty: 6 yearsBattery: 8 years / 200,000 km (MEA policy)

Full parts & service guide

Against its rivals

BYD Dolphin vs its rivals

Same body and powertrain, closest on price

  1. BYD DolphinBYD
    Battery60.48 kWh
    GULF RANGE
    340 km
    DC PEAK
    88 kW
    0–100 KM/H
    7 s
    POWER
    204 hp
    GULF PRICE
    7,500 KWD
  2. BYD Seal 06 GT 605BYD
    Battery72.96 kWh
    GULF RANGE
    450 km
    DC PEAK
    200 kW
    0–100 KM/H
    7.5 s
    POWER
    224 hp
    GULF PRICE
    9,000 KWD
  3. MG MG4 530MG
    Battery53.9 kWh
    GULF RANGE
    400 km
    DC PEAK
    —
    0–100 KM/H
    —
    POWER
    163 hp
    GULF PRICE
    —
  4. ORA Good Cat (03)ORA
    Battery63.1 kWh
    GULF RANGE
    310 km
    DC PEAK
    67 kW
    0–100 KM/H
    8.3 s
    POWER
    171 hp
    GULF PRICE
    8,100 KWD
  5. Leapmotor B05 67.1 kWhLeapmotor
    Battery67.1 kWh
    WLTP RANGE
    482 km
    DC PEAK
    —
    0–100 KM/H
    6.7 s
    POWER
    218 hp
    GULF PRICE
    —

Gulf starting price in KWD, varies by market · range on the stated test cycle

FAQ

  • Check the dealer list or import directly. Official presence varies per model.

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Reviewed: 2026-05-22