[steven marcus]

They don’t intend you to drive with the keycard except in emergencies or valet situations. It’s intended to be Phone as a Key as the primary interface to the car, just like Tesla. And that is the easiest way to use the car…

Had i been informed the car was designed for only PAK, i might have either not considered the car at all, or i might have upgraded my [phone accordingly. As it was I went into a new Motorola phone that was not WideBand enabled. I asked both Polestar and Motorola and was told it was compatible, go figure.

 

[nbvolks]

Had i been informed the car was designed for only PAK, i might have either not considered the car at all, or i might have upgraded my [phone accordingly. As it was I went into a new Motorola phone that was not WideBand enabled. I asked both Polestar and Motorola and was told it was compatible, go figure.

It was clear to me when I started looking at getting it over a year ago. PAK was a positive and desirable feature for me as a prospective owner. Originally the only reason they even gave out the rechargeable key fobs was because PAK wasn't yet supported when they released the car. The plan from the very beginning was only two key cards, PAK, and no key fob.

You can trade in your phone, or sell it, and get a phone that does support UWB, that would resolve a lot of the headaches you're having.

 

[jamshamdana]

Optimism is good. However, ICYMI, Volvo hosted an "Ask Me Anything Session” with the Product Lead for the EX90 on Reddit (Oct 7th). Key points that stuck out for me:

1. RE: Orin Updates: “first half of 2026”
2. RE: Future Software Updates: "every 3 months"

To manage my own expectations, my takeaways are:

1. If expecting an Orin update to be completed in January… think end of June.
2. If expecting more frequent software updates... think every 3 months.

Of course these are direct responses from the EX90 Product Lead at Volvo, but Polestar won't be any faster/more frequent.

You can read the full transcript on Reddit here... AMA with EX90 Product Lead

I fully expect the hardware swaps to leak into early summer because there's only so much service center capacity for a fix that's going to easily take a day, maybe more to complete. Not to mention that's on top of normal service volumes. I figure they'll start contacting people when they have enough inventory, maybe early in the year, but it's going to take a while to get everyone.

And the OTA schedule is about what it's been for the last 5 or so years. Sometimes they release major fixes more frequently, but that's fairly rare.

 

[Lowrent]

As it was I went into a new Motorola phone that was not WideBand enabled. I asked both Polestar and Motorola and was told it was compatible, go figure.

Same here. Both my girlfriend and I have recent Pixel phones, but the a versions, which don't have UWB.
Information about that is anemic on the Polestar website.
Unless you dig in the manual, prior to purchase (who does that ?)

 

[Jupiter7]

Had i been informed the car was designed for only PAK, i might have either not considered the car at all, or i might have upgraded my [phone accordingly. As it was I went into a new Motorola phone that was not WideBand enabled. I asked both Polestar and Motorola and was told it was compatible, go figure.

That sucks! Not sure they support Android phones anyway… think it’s Apple only at last at launch. But any iPhone made in the past 5 years works!

 

[Jupiter7]

Well, for those of you with Phone as a Key issues, it could be worse… see Lucid’s latest review!

https://insideevs.com/news/775131/lucid-gravity-key-problems-2025/

 

[nbvolks]

That sucks! Not sure they support Android phones anyway… think it’s Apple only at last at launch. But any iPhone made in the past 5 years works!

PAK works on Android phones with UWB, and has since February.

A list of phones (and watches) that support UWB can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UWB-enabled_mobile_devices

 

[urbanmark]

I fully expect the hardware swaps to leak into early summer because there's only so much service center capacity for a fix that's going to easily take a day, maybe more to complete. Not to mention that's on top of normal service volumes. I figure they'll start contacting people when they have enough inventory, maybe early in the year, but it's going to take a while to get everyone.

And the OTA schedule is about what it's been for the last 5 or so years. Sometimes they release major fixes more frequently, but that's fairly rare.

The EX90 / P3 have had ~10 software updates in the last year (Since Sept 2024). Unlike Polestar, Volvo publishes a date in their release notes so you can see the dates/history. Software updates every 3 months going forward would be a slow down from recent history.

 

[steven marcus]

It was clear to me when I started looking at getting it over a year ago. PAK was a positive and desirable feature for me as a prospective owner. Originally the only reason they even gave out the rechargeable key fobs was because PAK wasn't yet supported when they released the car. The plan from the very beginning was only two key cards, PAK, and no key fob.

You can trade in your phone, or sell it, and get a phone that does support UWB, that would resolve a lot of the headaches you're having.

I am very happy for you and your success with the vehicle. I was told that there was capability to use an Apple phone, but not that it was only way to effectively drive the car. It was discussed as a feature, not a requirement. Were you actually told that the only reason they gave me a rechargeable fob was that the PAK was not fully supported? That makes me even more upset. If their plan was no fob and only PAK and 2 cards, i should have been told that. Do you have that in some saved document?

 

[steven marcus]

PAK works on Android phones with UWB, and has since February.

A list of phones (and watches) that support UWB can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UWB-enabled_mobile_devices

But, i picked up my car Dec 30! There was no mention that I had to buy a supported phone!

 

[steven marcus]

Same here. Both my girlfriend and I have recent Pixel phones, but the a versions, which don't have UWB.
Information about that is anemic on the Polestar website.
Unless you dig in the manual, prior to purchase (who does that ?)

This has been a terrible 9 months plus never knowing what was going to go wrong next. This sort of thing is what frequently leads to class action suits.

 

[nbvolks]

But, i picked up my car Dec 30! There was no mention that I had to buy a supported phone!

And I picked up the car in November....and lived with the fob until February. The fob has essentially been in a drawer ever since, only occasionally coming out to be charged as a backup, or to give to valets.

 

[jamshamdana]

The EX90 / P3 have had ~10 software updates in the last year (Since Sept 2024). Unlike Polestar, Volvo publishes a date in their release notes so you can see the dates/history. Software updates every 3 months going forward would be a slow down from recent history.

The 3/EX90 is an aberration. Its software was a mess so obviously they would be eager to release updates more quickly considering the customer impacts. Now that the software is more stable, it's unsurprising that they would move back to their typical release timelines.

This is my 3rd Polestar since I got my first 2 in 2021, and outside of the last year or so they consistently released OTAs roughly every 3 months.

 

[steven marcus]

And I picked up the car in November....and lived with the fob until February. The fob has essentially been in a drawer ever since, only occasionally coming out to be charged as a backup, or to give to valets.

I am happy that you are pleased with your PSK, but i feel as if I am a prisoner of my car. I don't feel like investing another $1,000 in this piece of excrement of a son called luxury vehicle. Sorry if I am being so blunt. I am now driving a loaner, all they gave me was a card. To open the trunk I have to go to the driver's door and unlock the car then manually open the trunk. I had no sound at all in the car, there was no sound even on the blinkers, GPS and radio. After fooling with reset, I got the radio to work, but no sound phone my phone which was successfully paired with the blue tooth on the car.

Frustration is an understatement!

 

[nbvolks]

I am happy that you are pleased with your PSK, but i feel as if I am a prisoner of my car. I don't feel like investing another $1,000 in this piece of excrement of a son called luxury vehicle. Sorry if I am being so blunt. I am now driving a loaner, all they gave me was a card. To open the trunk I have to go to the driver's door and unlock the car then manually open the trunk. I had no sound at all in the car, there was no sound even on the blinkers, GPS and radio. After fooling with reset, I got the radio to work, but no sound phone my phone which was successfully paired with the blue tooth on the car.

Frustration is an understatement!

I had two different loaners over 3 months. Similar to you, they only have a single key card. But in both, I setup the PAK and went about life.

Are there problems with the P3? Absolutely! I'd be at the front of the line for complaints. Hell, I think I am at the front of that line.

But your situation with the key is partially a self inflicted wound. You know the solution and you have a reasonable means to get there. Trade the phone in, or sell it, and get a Samsung, or Google, or iPhone and be done with it.

 

[steven marcus]

I had two different loaners over 3 months. Similar to you, they only have a single key card. But in both, I setup the PAK and went about life.

Are there problems with the P3? Absolutely! I'd be at the front of the line for complaints. Hell, I think I am at the front of that line.

But your situation with the key is partially a self inflicted wound. You know the solution and you have a reasonable means to get there. Trade the phone in, or sell it, and get a Samsung, or Google, or iPhone and be done with it.

Sorry, that is not an acceptable solution, it is a $1000 work around! I asked TMobile if i had an option to upgrade for a cost, i would have to pay for the complete cost of the phone, then the Samsung, so now we are talking over $1,000. If Polestar admits that is the only solution, let them offer to buy out my current phone and buy me a new one!

 

[urbanmark]

The 3/EX90 is an aberration. Its software was a mess so obviously they would be eager to release updates more quickly considering the customer impacts. Now that the software is more stable, it's unsurprising that they would move back to their typical release timelines.

This is my 3rd Polestar since I got my first 2 in 2021, and outside of the last year or so they consistently released OTAs roughly every 3 months.

Cool that you’ve had three Polestars, I’ve had five Volvos (even picked one up at the Gothenburg factory and drove it around for a month before it shipped to the USA). So, I’m also familiar with the past software update cycle. The difference today vs 2021 is Polestar publicly refers to the P3 as, “lead(ing) the way as the first European software-defined vehicle” (SDVs). They are trying to claim a differentiated market position. Aside from stability issues (recently described as a "dumpster fire inside a train wreck"), you and I both know there are basic features that your 2021 Polestar 2 had that are still not available on the P3. So, if Polestar really wants to claim they’re leading the way, rapid technological/software advancements in their flagship SDV need to happen more quickly than in 2021. And I want them before my lease expires

 

[nbvolks]

Sorry, that is not an acceptable solution, it is a $1000 work around! I asked TMobile if i had an option to upgrade for a cost, i would have to pay for the complete cost of the phone, then the Samsung, so now we are talking over $1,000. If Polestar admits that is the only solution, let them offer to buy out my current phone and buy me a new one!

Sell the phone! You're making this more difficult than it needs to be.

And you bought a phone locked to the carrier (T-Mobile)? What year is this? There is never, ever, a good reason to buy a carrier locked phone anymore.

$699 minus the trade in value of your current Motorola gets you a supported phone. Unlocked, directly from Google.

Or get an older refurbished phone. The Pixel 6 Pro is the oldest that has UWB support, and could be had for a little over $200, unlocked through Amazon.

 

[steven marcus]

Cool that you’ve had three Polestars, I’ve had five Volvos (even picked one up at the Gothenburg factory and drove it around for a month before it shipped to the USA). So, I’m also familiar with the past software update cycle. The difference today vs 2021 is Polestar publicly refers to the P3 as, “lead(ing) the way as the first European software-defined vehicle” (SDVs). They are trying to claim a differentiated market position. Aside from stability issues (recently described as a "dumpster fire inside a train wreck"), you and I both know there are basic features that your 2021 Polestar 2 had that are still not available on the P3. So, if Polestar really wants to claim they’re leading the way, rapid technological/software advancements in their flagship SDV need to happen more quickly than in 2021. And I want them before my lease expires

I had not heard that description, that is a lot of bunk, if this is the definition, then wow, we are all in great trouble as to the future of automobiles. I loved my P2, I hate my P3!

 

[steven marcus]

Sell the phone! You're making this more difficult than it needs to be.

And you bought a phone locked to the carrier (T-Mobile)? What year is this? There is never, ever, a good reason to buy a carrier locked phone anymore.

$699 minus the trade in value of your current Motorola gets you a supported phone. Unlocked, directly from Google.

View attachment 37992

Or get an older refurbished phone. The Pixel 6 Pro is the oldest that has UWB support, and could be had for a little over $200, unlocked through Amazon.

View attachment 37993

I will give up with you and your replies. Obviously, you feel as if you are superior to me because you went with an Apple phone. My position has not changed, there is no reason that a car owner should be forced to purchase a specific phone in order to use his car, period. I will go on this no further. You seem to think i am a total idiot, and I am deeply offended.