I’ve seen some Insiders ask if there are any inexpensive AOSP Android boxes that are any good.
The popular non-certified Android boxes are usually pretty expensive such as Ugoos, BuzzTV and Formuler. Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a reliable device for under $50?
There are two main features that attracted me to this device and that’s AI upscaling and what looks like a quality Bluetooth remote control. Usually, these cheap boxes come with the IR remotes which I absolutely despise.
One thing that we’ve learned with these generic boxes is that you can’t always trust what the advertisements tell you. Will that be the case for this one?
Is this Android Box too good to be true?
Here’s my new video where I go through the setup process and get it ready for my review.
This video should also be extremely helpful to those of you who are using a generic box because I show the tips and tricks that I use to get these going.
Please tell us in the comments below if you still want us to focus time on these cheap boxes.
Do you think the Ai Upscaling was affected by the capture cad not being 4k, or is it the same when on a 4k TV? Maybe the firmware update will unlock it?
Buy all means please keep focusing on these cheap generic boxes. Using the ONN 4K Pro but prior to that used a T95Z Pro for several years with zero issues. Lots of us here are not gamers an have no need for the higher end boxes
I bought an X88 Pro Amlogic S905X5M box the beginning of November from AliE, it has not shown up yet. they say it is stuck in customs.I bought the 4gb 64gb one.
I look forward to the information on this.I am a tinkerer so these types of reviews and articles appeal to me. Thanks for spending sometime on these inexpensive boxes.
Dave, that is surprising since I ordered mine about that time and got it to Florida in a couple of weeks. If it takes to long, I have had them cancel the order and refund the card. I have also had good luck with refunds with them, in case you want to cancel.
I think a lot of people are looking to replace older units or Fire equipment in some of their peripheral areas and don’t want to spend a lot. Places like dens, guest bedrooms, rec rooms, and garages. At this point, I am only buying boxes with Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Buy your Cheap China boxes from Amazon not Allie Express. Fast shipping especially if you have Prime. Also the return policy with Amazon is the best. Just walk into your local Whole Foods an get instantly refunded
I am always concerned about the malware in the firmware issues of the cheapest Android tv boxes. The X88 w/rockchip does have malware in the firmware but I don’t know about this particular version/model. The biggest problem is the lack of anti virus software that can effectively check the hard firmware that is available for the average consumer. It just doesn’t exist. Currently available anti virus software only checks software installed on to the device. Of course I make a religious habit of not putting any personal info or logging in to apps using anything tied to me, but it is always a concern. You pretty much have to be a top notch programmer to be able to check these boxes to know for sure if they are clean.
I chatted with AliE the morning I posted that and they said it was held up in customs and they were going to expedite it, what ever that means. It shows expected delivery Nov 16. I have had things from them show as not delivered and it was at the post office when I picked up mu mail.
