Gamebox G11 Pro, review: console and TV-Box a little bit FAKE

Gamebox G11 Pro is the name of the console and Android TV-Box that we are going to analyze today. A system that as we will see has quite a few obscure points.

This console according to its advertising offers us the Amlogic S905X3 SoC but actually mounts an Amlogic S905X2, a pretty crappy data that already leaves it in a bad place. As we will see, it is a system designed for users who do not want complications and are only looking for a complete package, with two controllers and games already included. Something that theoretically is not bad, but with a little interest we can set up something better by buying a TV-Box on our own and easily installing official EmuELEC.

In the following analysis we will check how this system works and how it compares to the competition in the sector.

Product Details

Unboxing

As we can see the Gamebox G11 Pro console comes in a cardboard box that advertises a S905X3 SoC, being really S905X2. Inside we find the console / TV-Box, the two gamepads, IR remote control, English manual and 10W power adapter. In the micro SD slot we have inserted a card with the EmuELEC system + games.

Description

The Gamebox G11 Pro console offers a plastic case with an aesthetic grille on the top, this does not fulfill any cooling function. On the front we have the IR receiver, on the back we find the rest of the ports with two USB-A 2.0, an Ethernet 100, AV jack, power button and 12V DC connector.

Along with this Android TV-Box turned Console we have by default two gamepads with Playstation DualShock design. The construction is quite thin and light plastic, the buttons are quite correct, to use them we need two AAA batteries. The included IR remote control is very basic and only serves for simple Android functions such as using KODI.

Internal components

As we can see if we open the Gamebox G11 Pro console has a fairly simple design, the cooling system has an aluminum heatsink, thermal pad and aluminum plate on the outer face. Interestingly, the system is prepared to install a fan, we have a 5/3.3V power connector and anchoring areas. Behind the audio jack we have a hidden reset button. As Wifi antenna we have a simple one glued inside.

System and Performance

EmuELEC system

We start the Gamebox G11 Pro console and go through an automatic EmuELEC configuration phase. After a few minutes in the first boot we get to the YAVAYA launcher of this system, it is attractive and visual. We can switch between all emulation systems quickly. In addition, we have tabs for many of the games already installed with covers and information.

• Launcher: Custom YAVAYA / Categories by system / Favorites / Recents
• Shortcuts: Select = Quick access / Start = Settings / Press L3+R3 = Menu in games
• Graphics: OpenGL 2.0 / Vulkan NO

The installed system is EmuELEC 4.4, when booting we get a warning that we can update, but we recommend NOT UPDATE, because 1st there is no space left on the SD and 2nd the system will be unusable. Every time the system boots we will see some anoying boot videos, we recommend disabling them.

• Disable:
  – EmuELEC settings > Show Boot Video = OFF
  – Updates > Auto update = OFF

Android system

We can also boot Android 9, we just need to remove the micro SD card so that EmuELEC does not run. If we re-enter the SD card, EmuELEC will start again next time. The system offers a very basic configuration that is the default Amlogic configuration for this type of TV-Box. We can use them to install apps like KODI or IPTV, something useful to use the system for other purposes.

• Version: Android 9 (32 bit) / Build: Franklin = S905X2

Power and performance

In terms of power the Gamebox G11 Pro claims to have the Amlogic S905X3 SoC, but it is a LIE it really mounts the S905X2, a very similar processor in terms of performance as we can see in our comparisons. It is a Quad Core with ARM Cortex-A55 processors and in the graphics section a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU which is in the mid-range. This SoC is manufactured in 12nm, has a fairly low power consumption and does not cause critical thermal problems unless we play PSP for long periods.

• CPU performance: Min 0.5 GHz / Working  1.2 GHz / Max 1.8 GHz
• Check our Amlogic S905X3 SoC Comparison against all SoCs in the sector for more details.

Emulator Testing

During testing of the Gamebox G11 Pro console this hardware allows us to play even simple PSP games. If we run for example God Of War PSP only runs moderately well if we put it in the original resolution + frameskip. The rest of 2D emulators and consoles like Dreamcast do not give us problems, they are quite enjoyable.

• After several tests THE UNIT STOPPED WORKING and was returned to AliExpress.

Tests with emulators

This hardware offers enough power to emulate not very demanding PSP games, but certainly its top is on Dreamcast / PS1 / N64. Here you can see the results on the most common platforms.

Table of tests

Conclusions and buy links

Score

Opinion

After testing the Gamebox G11 Pro console our experience has not been good. Starting because it is advertised as S905X3 and it is really S905X2, there is not much difference in power, but it is misleading advertising. Also, to top it off the test unit stopped working after a few starts, some internal component got corrupted beyond repair. Overall a less than desirable experience.

The overall concept of the Gamebox G11 Pro console is not bad, as it comes all assembled and straight to play. For our part, we recommend the alternative of buying an X96 Max and assembling EmuELEC ourselves. It is a hardware that does not fool us and we can make the configuration we want.

Where to buy

Gamebox G11 Pro

0.00

5.4

Hardware

3.0/10

Emulation

6.5/10

Controls

6.0/10

Connectivity

5.5/10

Price

6.0/10

Pros

• All in one package
• Two gamepads
• Android and EmuELEC
• Games ready
• Up to Dreamcast

Cons

• Actually S905X2
• Unreliable hardware