Nokia Streaming Box 8010, review: new box with Android TV and SoC S905X4-K

Nokia Streaming Box 8010 is the Android TV-Box of the Nokia brand that we present today in our review. A device that has Android TV 11 and powerful hardware.

This newly introduced Android TV Nokia Streaming Box 8010 debuts a new SoC AMlogic S905X4-K identical to the S905X4 that we have seen in other devices but with more audio/video certificates. We also have the Android TV 11 Certified system, has as standard a fairly complete backlit bluetooth remote control and microphone for the Google Assistant with which we can control the apps. It also integrates into the Chromecast system to play content remotely or Youtube and is compatible with all paid streaming systems with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos quality.

Let’s check in our review how this Nokia Streaming Box 8010 behaves and what it offers us.

PRODUCT DETAILS

Unboxing

This new Android TV-Box Nokia Streaming Box 8010 comes in a classic cardboard box with the product image in the upper area. Inside we find the TV-Box, remote control, HDMI cable, 12V 1A charger and a first steps manual.

Description

The new Nokia Streaming Box 8010 offers a design similar to the previous Nokia SB 8000. On the back we have a Gigabit Ethernet connector, AV jack, HDMI 2.1, USB-C (only for charging, not data) and power connector, on one side we have a USB 2.0 port and another USB 3.0.

This Android TV-Box has a Wifi 6 2T2R + Bluetooth 5.0 chip with two internal wifi antennas. As we have checked the cooling system fulfills its function well because it hardly heats up. We have a reset button at the bottom if we want to return to factory settings.

The remote control of considerable dimensions offers us a backlit Bluetooth remote control that has a microphone for Google Assistant, at the top we have a status LED. We can also assign keys of other devices connected to the Box as our TV or AV receiver, for this we have a specific setting called Smart Control. Some keys that have no direct use but we can remap them for other functions.

• Remote: Remote control BT + IR with microphone / Compatible with keyboard and mouse / Control App for Android TV.

SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and Android system

Once we have started the Nokia Streaming Box 8010 we find the Android and remote control configuration wizard. We can also adjust the Wi-Fi, define which apps will be installed by default and select the type of content we want to see on the main screen. After these settings we get to the Android TV launcher designed for remote control. After the first boot the environment will change to Google TV with a more modern design. As we will notice the overall performance is very smooth, we can move quickly between menus and different apps.

• Launcher: We can change de the launcher / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / Notifications the upper icon.
• Languages and Google Play: All the international Android languajes / Google Play for Android TV installed.
• Check our Android TV User Manual to install classic Android Apps, prevent screen rotation and much more.

System

We check at the internal system data and the included options, we also observe what boot options this device allows us. This TV-Box will have updates via OTA to correct possible failures, security updates and bug fixes.

• On/Off Controls: Sleep mode / Shutdown settings available.
• System version and root: Android TV 11 (32 bit) / NO rooted / NO root menu / CPU r0p2 (S905X4) / Model Nokia SB 8010.
• Support: Nokia OTA support / IMG firmware NOT available, only OTA update.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

This Android TV Nokia Streaming Box 8010 has memory 4 GB of RAM DDR4 (double the usual) and for storage we have 32 GB eMMC that we can expand with a USB memory. In the network section has a wireless adapter Wifi 6 2T2R + Bluetooth 5.0 that as we can see in the test results are excellent and the Gigabit Ethernet adapter also behaves normally reaching good figures.

• Network: Internal Wifi antenna / Range -41 dBm / Link 5G 1200 Mbps / Ethernet Gigabit / Bluetooth OK.

It has a USB 3.0 port for connecting external drives or compatible peripherals, the USB-C connector is only used for electric charging, this allows us to use a mobile charger. We found that the performance of the internal storage is very good and moves the system without problems of fluidity, on the other hand the RAM also offers very positive data.

• Storage: Total 32GB  – Free 27GB / Expandable with a USB external memory
• RAM: Total 4GB – Free 2GB / DDR
  
• Inputs: USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 / Ethernet Gigabit
• We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.

Power and performance

In terms of performance the Nokia Streaming Box 8010 has the AMlogic S905X4-K Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A55 processors and in the graphics section a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU which is located in the mid-range. This SoC is very similar to the S905X3, as we can see, it only surpasses it in the AI aspect. As it is possible to appreciate in the results, it is well positioned matching Fire TV-Box 4K, the new Googlecast TV and far exceeds the Xiaomi Mi TV-Box. The improvement in fluidity is given by the 4 GB of RAM that allows loading more apps without relying on the storage cache.

• CPU performance: Min 0.5 GHz / Working  1.2 GHz / Max 2 GHz
• Check our Amlogic S905X4 SoC Comparison against all SoCs in the sector for more details.

For the games area we can run demanding titles at medium/low quality and also cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GForce Now or using the APK to install it. In the emulators section we can get at most run some Wii titles, but we will not have problems with 2D games of classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or using KODI, the full OS EmuELEC is not compatible.

• Games and emulators: Is possible to play titles such as PUBG /  YES Vulkan support / Basic emulators in RetroArch or KODI.
• Controls: Compatible with Bluetooth or USB Gamepads.

This new SoC is manufactured in 12nm, has a fairly low power consumption and the cooling system maintains low temperatures in normal use. The processor manages the speeds correctly so as not to heat up excessively.

• Thermals: Min. 40ºC / Working 42 ºC / Max. 63ºC / Maintains performance up to 99% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Min 3W / Working 3.2W / Max. 4.5W

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

In the video playback section the Nokia Streaming Box 8010 supports most modern formats such as h.265, VP9 with native 4K@60fps HDR resolution support and is compatible with the recent AV1 codec but only with streaming apps such as YouTube or the internal media player. We have good performance with 10bit color formats with Dolby Vision HDR support in one layer.

It is possible to use players like KODI or PLEX without the slightest problem by installing them directly from the Android TV store. In terms of audio we can play Dolby Atmos and DTS sound up to 7.1 via its HDMI port and 5.1 via SPDIF (not compatible with streaming apps). The Chromecast system works perfectly with all services.

• Video Settings:  NO image quality settings / HDMI-CEC available, see manual / Automatic refresh rate not available.
• Audio Settings: Dolby Atmos / HDMI  7.1 / SPDIF 5.1 / NO USB audio settings.
• Color and HDR: 10Bit / RGB / Dolby Vision, HDR 10+.
• Media sharing: GoogleCast YES / Miracast NO / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay NO.
• LibreELEC: This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC or CoreELEC.
• Tutorials: Install add-on in KODI / Judder effect, how to fix it / Multi-channel audio guide / Correct dark video playback
• We recommend reading the Setup Guide of our TV to get the best picture quality.

Video and audio results

• The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.
• SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have have some frameskip in very heavy files.

• PCM – Stereo only with downmix from DD or DTS
• Core – Only the core of the format is played back with what we passed to the Dolby or DTS base system / More info

Streaming services

We ran several tests on streaming services to check how the most popular services work. The Nokia Streaming Box 8010 has some compatibility with all current streaming services. We have full compatibility in 4K Dolby Vision quality and Dolby Atmos sound for all services such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+. Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime video among other international as well as national ones.

• DRM: Google Widevine L1 / Playready.
• Audio/Video certification: Dolby Atmos / Dolby Vision / HDR10.
• Tutorials: Change the size of the captions and the mouse pointer on Android / Install Addons in KODI in a simple way

CONCLUSIONS AND BUY LINKS

Score

Opinion

As we have seen the Nokia Streaming Box 8010 is one of the most interesting Android TV of the actualidqad. This is a Box thanks to the SoC S905X4-K allows us to move any app, some powerful games, emulators up to 32bit, IPTV apps or use KODI where we can play 4K HDR video efficiently. It also supports all streaming apps in 4K Dolby Vision quality and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

In the connectivity section the Nokia Streaming Box 8010 has a Wifi 6 + BT 5.0 adapter with very good speeds, we also have Gigabit Ethernet to consume content on our local network in the most bitrate. This Box as we have found does not heat up in continuous and demanding use. As a system we have Android TV 11 Certificate, which is very stable and moves very smoothly using apps, also has Chromecast. It also highlights its Bluetooth remote control with backlight and integrated microphone, which allows you to configure it with other devices.

Undoubtedly the Nokia Streaming Box 8010 is a TV-Box with Android TV very powerful and satisfactory to use in your day to day. A high level hardware that does not allow you to get the maximum performance.

Where to buy

Nokia Streaming Box 8010

0.00

8.4

Hardware

9.0/10

System

8.5/10

Connectivity

9.0/10

Design

8.5/10

Price

7.0/10

Pros

• Powerful
• Android TV Certificated
• Remote BT backlight
• Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos
• Wifi 6 + Ethernet Gigabit