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Hardware Guide
Updated Feb 2026

comma 3 in 2026

Where It Stands

Stock openpilot v0.10.0 was the last release for comma 3, which moved to LTS. Your device isn't dead — community forks stepped up. Here's the complete picture: what happened, who supports C3 now, and how each fork compares feature-for-feature.

What Happened
Fork Rescue
Device Specs
Feature Table
Driving Models
Recommendations
vs comma 4
What happened
The short version of the stock support timeline.

On August 21, 2024, comma.ai released openpilot v0.10.0 — a landmark release featuring a new World Model-based driving architecture. With it, the original comma 3 (C3) was quietly removed from the supported hardware list.

The comma 3X remained supported through v0.10.3 (December 21, 2025 — the current latest release), but the gap widened further in November 2025 when comma 4 launched and v0.10.2 shipped with no update at all for comma 3X.

Going forward, comma.ai's development focus is clearly comma 4. The comma 3X is still receiving updates today, but the original comma 3 must use a community fork to stay current.

v0.9.8
Early 2025 tag
Last stock openpilot release to support comma 3
v0.10.0
Aug 2025
New World Model architecture — comma 3 (C3) dropped from supported hardware. comma 3X (C3X) continues to be supported.
v0.10.1
Oct 28, 2025
comma 3X still supported — UI rendering improvements
v0.10.2
Nov 30, 2025
comma 4 launches — NO v0.10.2 shipped for comma 3X (comma 4 only)
v0.10.3
Dec 21, 2025
Latest release — comma 3X still supported. New temporal policy model, 10x IPC memory efficiency
FrogPilot
Explicitly re-added C3 hardware support
FrogAi patched C3 back in and serves it from the same install URL as C3X. No separate branch needed.
sunnypilot
Separate C3 and C3X branches
C3X stable: release-tizi → release.sunnypilot.ai. C3 (TICI): no stable yet, use staging-tici → install.sunnypilot.ai/staging-tici. Staging/dev unified for both devices.
dragonpilot
Dedicated d3 branch
The long-running fork maintains a d3 branch specifically for comma 3 and 3X devices.
BluePilot
Inherits via sunnypilot base
Ford-focused fork built on sunnypilot — carries C3/C3X support for Ford Blue Cruise drivers.
comma 3 vs 3X vs comma 4
C3 and C3X share the same form factor and AGNOS-based OS. The 3X refined the camera system and added external GPS. comma 4 is a ground-up redesign.
Speccomma 3 (C3)comma 3X (C3X)comma 4
SoCSnapdragon 845Snapdragon 845Snapdragon 845 MAX
RAM6 GB6 GB6 GB
Storage32 GB128 GB128 GB
Screen6" 2160×1080 OLED6" 2160×1080 OLED2" 536×240 OLED / 1.9" 300 PPI
Road Camera8 MP8 MP wide-angleOmniVision OS04C10
Wide Camera2 MPDual 8 MPSame triple setup
Driver Camera2 MP IR2 MP IRWide IR (night)
External GPSNoYes (ublox M8)No
Built-in LTEYes (nano-SIM)Yes (nano-SIM)Yes (nano-SIM)
USB-C powerYesYesYes
Stock openpilotDropped v0.10.0Active v0.10.3Active v0.10.3
ReleasedJul 2021Jul 2023Nov 2025
Feature matrix — comma 3 & 3X in 2026
Stock openpilot reflects v0.10.3 state for comma 3X. For the original comma 3, stock openpilot is no longer an option.
FeatureStock openpilotFrogPilotsunnypilot (c3)dragonpilot (d3)
comma 3 (C3) support
Dropped v0.10.0
Re-added
release-tici (limited C3 support)
d3 branch
comma 3X (C3X) support
v0.10.3
Full
release-tici (limited C3 support)
d3 branch
Latest driving model
The Cool People's Model
34 models via selector
86+ via DMM
v0.9.4 era only
World Model (v0.10.0+)
Stock
Included
Included
Pre-World Model
Always-on Lateral (AOL/MADS/ALKA)
Not available
AOL
MADS
ALKA
Speed Limit Control
Basic only
OSM + Mapbox + Dashboard
SLC with offset
Speed limit support
Custom Driving Models
One model only
34 models (selector)
86+ models (DMM)
Stock only
comma Pedal support
Dropped
Full
Full
Full
Toyota Smart DSU (SDSU)
Not supported
Full
Full
Full
UI Themes / Customization
Stock only
Themes, icons, sounds
Limited
Some options
NNFF / NNLC lateral
Not available
NNFF per vehicle
NNLC
Standard only
Longitudinal tuning
Chill/Experimental
Driving personalities
DEC + custom
Manual params
Web Interface
None
The Pond (port 8082)
None
None
Conditional Experimental Mode
Manual only
CEM auto-switch
DEC
Partial
ZSS (Zoom Steering Sensor)
Not supported
Full
Community patches
Not supported
Active C3 maintenance
C3X in v0.10.3
Very active
Very active
Active (d3)

✓ = Supported • ✗ = Not supported • partial = Partial or via community patches • Last verified Feb 2026

Driving models — what C3 gets in 2026
The openpilot driving model evolved significantly since 2024.
VersionDateModel NameNotes
v0.9.6Feb 2024Direct curvature output
v0.9.7Jun 2024Past curvature inputs for smoother lateral
v0.10.0Aug 2025Space Lab 2World Model Planner (replaces MPC), 500M params
v0.10.1Oct 2025North Nevada ModelWorld Model 500M→1B params, 2.5M segment training set
v0.10.2Nov 2025(none)comma 4 hardware only — NO C3X release
v0.10.3Dec 2025The Cool People's ModelTemporal policy architecture, DM model trained on C4 data
Note: v0.10.2 was a comma 4-only release — no new driving model shipped for C3/C3X. C3X users stayed on v0.10.1 (North Nevada Model) until v0.10.3 arrived in December 2025.
FrogPilot
34 models via in-car model selector. Includes all comma stock models plus community variants. Switch models without SSH.
sunnypilot DMM
86+ models via the Driving Model Manager (DMM). Includes stock, experimental, and off-policy models as of February 2026. The deepest model selection available.
dragonpilot
No model selector. Based on openpilot v0.9.4 (2023). Stock models only — pre-World Model era. Not a good choice if model quality matters.
Key takeaway: no driving model is comma 4-exclusive. The C4's edge is hardware — LTE, no thermal throttle, new camera sensor dataset — not model access. C3X users on v0.10.3 run the same “Cool People's Model” as comma 4 users.
FrogPilot
Best all-around
Best for: Most C3 users

Explicitly re-added C3 support, massive feature set (AOL, themes, model selector, The Pond UI), single install URL for both C3 and C3X, very active maintainer.

sunnypilot (c3 branch)
Best for model variety
Best for: Power users, Toyota/Hyundai drivers

Dedicated C3X branches (-tici track); C3 has limited support since Oct 2025. The only fork with 86+ downloadable driving models via DMM, MADS, NNLC, DEC.

dragonpilot (d3 branch)
Minimal & stable
Best for: Users wanting a low-friction, stable ride

Long-running fork, minimal-changes philosophy, ALKA (Always-On Lateral), screen recording. Good choice if you want closer-to-stock behavior with just a few key additions.

BluePilot
Ford owners
Best for: Ford Blue Cruise vehicles on C3/C3X

Built on sunnypilot base, tailored specifically for Ford. Inherits sunnypilot's C3/C3X support. If you have a Ford, this is the most polished experience.

What you're missing vs comma 4
comma 4 released November 25, 2025 at $999. Here is the honest tradeoff list.
1 free month of comma Prime (LTE). C3, C3X, and C4 all have built-in LTE via nano-SIM, but C4 ships with one free month of Prime.
1/5th the form factor. comma 4 is dramatically smaller than C3X with less windshield obstruction.
Snapdragon 845 MAX with no thermal throttle. C3/C3X can thermal throttle in hot climates.
New camera sensor (OS04C10) instead of OX03C10 in C3X, which means C4-specific training data will diverge over time.
Driver monitoring retrained for C4 camera position and field of view in v0.10.3.
Instant mount adhesive. C3/C3X required a 48-hour cure time; comma 4 does not.
Hibernate-on-disengage. comma 4 hibernates when openpilot disengages; C3/C3X stay awake.
External GPS removed, which is actually a regression versus C3X's ublox M8.
Bottom line: If you already own a comma 3 or 3X, it's still a great device with real fork support in 2026. If you're buying new, the comma 4 is the clear choice for longevity. If you want to stay on C3/C3X, FrogPilot is your best path to a modern feature set.
Driving models on comma 3 in 2026
Which fork brings what after C3 was pushed to LTS.

When stock openpilot moved C3 to LTS starting with v0.10.0 (August 5, 2025), that release was also the debut of the World Model architecture. On stock, C3 was frozen out at the exact moment the AI got its biggest upgrade in years. Community forks tell a different story.

VersionDateModel NameC3C3X
v0.9.7Jun 13, 2024(unnamed)
Yes
Yes
v0.9.8Feb 28, 2025(unnamed)
Yes
Yes
v0.9.9May 23, 2025(unnamed, MLSIM arch)
Yes
Yes

Last version to support C3 (original)

v0.10.0Aug 2025Space Lab 2
No
Yes

World Model launch, 500M params. v0.10.0 = last C3 release (moved to LTS); C3X still fully supported

v0.10.1Oct 28, 2025North Nevada
No
Yes

World Model 1B params, 2.5M segs

v0.10.2Nov 19, 2025(no new model)
No
No

comma 4 hardware only

v0.10.3Dec 21, 2025The Cool People’s Model
No
Yes

Temporal policy arch, big_* models added

The World Model Gap: FrogPilot is the only fork that backported the World Model tinygrad runtime to C3/C3X. It is based on openpilot 0.9.7 but includes the tinygrad inference engine from 0.10.x. sunnypilot C3 branches are capped at the 0.9.8 era and dragonpilot is even older.
ForkModels Available on C3Newest ModelWorld Model Era?Notes
Stock openpilotC3: None (last version v0.10.0, then LTS) / C3X: Active (v0.10.3)C3: Last v0.9.9 (May 2025) / C3X: The Cool People's Model (v0.10.3)
No
C3X still receives stock openpilot updates. C3 requires a community fork.
FrogPilot34 models via in-car selectorThe Cool People’s Model (Dec 21, 2025 · v0.10.3) / North Nevada (Oct 28, 2025 · v0.10.1)
YES
Only fork with World Model on C3
sunnypilot (c3)14 models via DMMNotre Dame (Jul 2024)
No
C3 branches capped at 0.9.8 era
dragonpilot (d3)1 model (stock only)0.9.4 era (2023)
No
Oldest base, no model selector
BluePilot14 models via DMMNotre Dame (Jul 2024)
No
sunnypilot-based, Ford focus

FrogPilot Full Guide
AOL, CEM, themes, The Pond UI, install URL
FrogPilot Installation
Step-by-step install for C3/C3X
sunnypilot Features
MADS, DMM, NNLC, C3 branches
dragonpilot Guide
Minimal fork, ALKA, d3 branch
BluePilot Guide
Ford-focused fork, C3/C3X support
Fork Comparison
All forks side-by-side