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REVIEW: A95X F3 the best cheap Smart Box with SoC S905X3

Kim by Kim
03/03/2020
71

A95X F3 is a new low-cost Android TV-Box that we present today in his review, a model that has the extended Amlogic S905X3 SoC, a chip that includes ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores that replace the ARM Cortex-A53 from the previous S905X2.

This smart box has several very similar hardware versions, the A95X F3 Air and the A95X F3 Slim, all with the Android 9 Pie system. Let’s see in our review how this device behaves and how it defends itself against its rivals.

F3 slim
  • A95X F3 is available in Amazon, Banggood, Geekbuying or Aliexpress.com only for $38.99 (€35) for the 4/32GB version.

A95X F3

Table of Contents

  • PRODUCT DETAILS
    • Unboxing
    • Description
  • SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE
    • Environment and Android system
    • Network, storage, RAM and ports
    • Power and performance
  • VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST
    • Video playback test
    • Streaming services
  • CONCLUSIONS AND BUY LINKS
    • Score
    • Opinion
    • Where to buy for A95X F3
    • Add-ons

PRODUCT DETAILS

 

A95X F3
SoC: Amlogic S905X3 Quad Core 4x ARM-A55 @ 1.9GHz (64bit) / GPU Mali-G31 MP2 / 12nm
System: Android 9 Pie (32bit)
Ram, storage and network:
– 4GB RAM DDR3 + 32/64/128GB eMCP / Wifi ac Dual + BT 4.2 (MT7668RSN) / Ethernet 10/100 (Review)
– 2GB RAM DDR3 + 16GB eMCP / Wifi ac Dual + BT 4.2  / Ethernet 10/100
Ports: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / Jack AV / SPDIF / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset
Extras: IR remote / HDMI cable / Manual / DC 5V 2A adapter
Materials and measures: Plastic / Frontal LED panel / 77 x 77 x 15 mm / 125 gr.

Unboxing

The A95X F3 comes in a standard cardboard box with a generic name in the top, inside we found the TV-Box, IR remote, HDMI cable 4K@60fps compatible, Manual and a DC 5V 2A adapter.

a95x f3 review f01 min

Description

This model A95X F3 is made in plastic and has a box design with lines and stands out for its superior LED strip that changes color rhythmically (can be disabled). On the front we have an LED display that indicates the time, on the sides and in the back area we have all the connectors in a classic configuration. This model includes a simple IR remote control that allows us to perform basic functions in apps like KODI but is limited for more complex ones.

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Inside the audio jack we have the update button in case it is necessary to update the firmware. On the motherboard we can see the Wifi aC Dual Band + Bluetooth 4.2 (Mediatek MT7668RSN) chip little known and has one internal Wi-Fi antenna. The cooling system is simple, an aluminum heatsink attached to the SoC that as we will see fulfills its function, while on the top cover we have attached the module of the LED strip with four cables to the motherboard.

  • Remote Control: Basic IR Remote with copy keys/ NO microphone / We can choose other alternatives.
  • Alternate control: Have its own control app / We can try Cetusplay in our smartphone.
a95x f3 review f06 min
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SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and Android system

We turn on the A95X F3 boots automatically, we arrive at a simple launcher based in squares, it is valid for use with the default remote, it has a upper row that we can customize with the icons of the apps we want. The installed apps include Airscreen, Miracast, Cetusplay, PLEX and TVMC (KODI) with various addons installed. The performance of Android 9 is quite good at the desktop level or with heavy apps, it works stable and without forced app closures. You can turn off the light LEDS with the app color light settings.

If we are going to play and make intensive use of this model we recommend buying the variant with 4GB of RAM, if we want to adjust our budget and we are only going to use it as a media player we may have enough with the 2GB model.

  • Launcher: As an alternative we have Pixel launcher to use mouse or Ugoos for IR control / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
  • Multitasking and access: Multitasking ONLY available in lower bar / YES lower Android bar but NO upper bar.
  • Languages and Google Play: All the international Android classics / Google Play installed.
a95x f3 s905x3 review t02 min
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  • On/Off Controls: If we keep press the power button we have reset and power off option / Configurable in settings.
  • System version and root: Android 9 Pie (32 bit) / YES root by default / YES root menu / Build 2019-11-25 / Model Droidlogic Ampere.
  • Support: A95X don’t have a site with firmware / Firmware available / Custom firmware not available yet.
a95x f3 s905x3 review t08 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t09 min
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a95x f3 s905x3 review t11 min

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The model A95X F3 has eMCP memory for internal storage + DDR3 RAM, it has two USB 3.0 port and SD card reader. In the network section it has a wireless adapter Wifi aC Dual Band + Bluetooth 4.2 (Mediatek MT7668RSN) and Ethernet 10/100 port. As we can see in the tests the results are good, the wifi does reach decent speed figures although the range is normal for a model with an internal antenna.

  • Storage: Total 32GB  – Free 29GB / NTFS + exFAT compatible / Expandable with a USB or SD external memory.
  • RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR3.
  • Network: Good speed with one internal wifi antenna / Range 42dBm, fine. / Bluetooth OK.
  • We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.
USB 2.0 USB 3.0 microSD SATA
Read / Write 23/18 MB/s 82/37 MB/s 21/19 MB/s –
a95x f3 s905x3 review z01 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review z12b min

Power and performance

In the performance level the A95X F3 has installed the Amlogic S905X3 a Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A55 processors and in the graphic section a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU that is in the mid-range. This SoC is manufactured in 12nm, has a fairly low consumption but as we have seen the cooling system is basic and the temperatures are low all the time, the processor correctly scales the speeds so as not to overheat.

  • CPU performance: Min 500 MHz / Working  MHz / Max 1,75 MHz
  • Check our Amlogic S905X3 SoC Comparison against all SoCs in the sector for more details.
a95x f3 s905x3 review z03 min
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a95x f3 s905x3 review z06 min
  • Thermals: Min. 40ºC / Working  53ºC / Max. 60ºC / Maintains performance up to 100% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
  • Consumption: Off 0.6W / Min 3W / Working 4.1W / Max. 6.8W
  • Games and emulators: IS possible to play titles such as PUBG with low settings / Emulators up to Wii / NO Vulkan support.
  • Controls: Compatible with Gamepads by cable or bluetooth.
pubg game test t02 min
game android test n10 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t01 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t13 min

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

For the video playback aspect, the A95X F3 features the Amlogic S905X3 SoC and a VPU Advanced Video Engine Gen10 compatible with most modern video formats such as h.265 and VP9 with 4K HDR native resolution or even 8K@60fps support, don’t have video quality settings. We can use players like KODI or PLEX without the slightest problem, the system comes by default with a version of KODI full of addons that we recommend uninstalling. At the audio level we can play DD and DTS sound up to 5.1 through the HDMI port. Check our Amlogic S905X3 SoC Comparison against all SoCs to see more details about A/V aspects of this SoC.

  • Video Settings: Image quality settings / RGB and SDR / HDMI-CEC available, see manual / Automatic refresh rate with root + AFRd.
  • Audio Settings: HDMI and SPDIF up to 5.1 audio / Stereo Jack.
  • Media sharing: GoogleCast NO / Miracast YES* / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay YES* / *With Airscreen.
  • LibreELEC: This model can be 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 in Android.
  • We recommend reading the Setup Guide of our TV to get the best picture quality.
video test review z03 min
video test review z10 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t06 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t07 min

Video results

Formats Result
h.264 / 1080i / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 4K / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) Frameskip (SW)
h.265 / 1080p / 8bit OK
h.265 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) OK
h.265 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
h.265 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P1 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
VP9 P2 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P2 / 8K@60fps / 10bit HDR Frameskip (SW)
AV1 / 4K@24fps / 10bit Frameskip (SW)
Max. Bitrate 100 Mbps = 12,5 MB/s.
  • 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.

Audio test results

Support Format
Native Dolby 5.1 – Plus / DTS 5.1 – Master Audio
Core Dolby HD – Atmos / DTS HR – X
PCM All
  • Native – Supports the format directly in our AV receiver or similar / More info.
  • Core – Only the 5.1 core of the format is played so we go to the Dolby or DTS base system / More info.
  • PCM – Only stereo downmixing from DD or DTS.

Streaming services

We pass our usual tests with streaming services to check how the most popular services work. The A95X F3 presents the classic configuration without certifications which limits us in quality in several streaming services, luckily if it is compatible with most services even if they are in its most basic quality of SD video

  • DRM: Google Widevine L3.
  • Audio certification: No.
  • Tutorials: Change the size of the captions and the mouse pointer on Android / Install Addons in KODI in a simple way
Streaming service Calidad / Audio*
Youtube HD (720p) / Stereo
Google Play Movies HD (720p) / Stereo
Netflix SD+ (540p) / Stereo / Netflix Guide
HBO Max No compabile / HBO Max Guide
Disney+ HD (720p) /Stereo / Disney+ Guide
Amazon Prime Video SD (480p) / Stereo / Prime Video Guide
Apple TV+ No compabile / Apple TV+ Guide
DAZN HD (720p) / Stereo
IPTV FullHD (1080i) / Stereo
prime video test review z09 min
netflix video test review z02 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t14 min
a95x f3 s905x3 review t12 min

CONCLUSIONS AND BUY LINKS

Score

A95X F3

0.00
A95X F3
7.4

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

7.5/10

HARDWARE

7.5/10

SYSTEM

8.0/10

SUPPORT

6.5/10

PRICE/QUALITY

7.5/10

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Fine tuned Android 9
  • Good Wifi ac
  • Root selector and lower Android bar
  • LED lud can be turned off

Cons

  • No Android upper bar
  • Only Ethernet 10/100

Opinion

As we have seen in our analysis, the A95X F3 is Android TV-Box low-cost with many positive aspects, it has surprised us positively in general. In this device we have the Amlogic S905X3 SoC that improves its CPU cores to the Cortex-A55 and updates its VPU with VP9 video support up to 8K. The GPU allows us to play quite powerful titles like PUBG, if we are going to play we recommend the 4GB model, the 2GB model we only recommend as a media player with KODI programs.

At the level of WiFi connectivity the A95X F3 is quite good, its Wifi ac Dual Band adapter has acceptable speeds within its price, although its 10/100 Ethernet port could be Gigabit to take advantage of our local network. With this model we also have a basic IR control, a firmware with lower Android navigation bars, root selector, its cooling system works correctly and we will not have thermal problems at any time. Luckily the LED lighting strip located at the top is configurable and we can deactivate it through an app that includes.

In short, the A95X F3 is a low-cost TV-Box with good performance in general, at thermal level we have no problems, we have root selector and quite good Wi-Fi.

Where to buy for A95X F3

  • A95X F3 is available in Amazon, Banggood, Geekbuying or Aliexpress.com only for $38.99 (€35) for the 4/32GB version

Add-ons

  • Logitech K400 keyboard with trackpad control zone.
  • Logitech Basic Keyboard and mouse combo economic and quality.
  • Fly Mouse with keyboard and voice, some with backlight.
  • Fly Mouse with voice, cheap solution with no keyboard.
  • USB 3.0 pendrive to expand internal storage.
  • External hard disk up to 3GB to save media.
  • Bluetooth Gamepad to play games
  • Basic Webcam to do video chat.

a95x f3 review f08 min

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Imja
Imja

Why is “not compatible” with HBO Max app? what is a reason?
I have this box and no sound on movies in HBO max (video is visible, sound – ‘muted’).
Anyone know ‘why’?
is this problem witch amlogic x3 soc ?

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  Imja

No certification, dolby and DRM, go for a certified device:
https://androidpctv.com/best-android-tv-box/

Reply
Daniel Menezes
Daniel Menezes

I bought the F3 a95x and I’m enjoying it a lot ! But I want to install Apks that need to change the MAC, as I did in the old tvBox. It’s an error! I can change the MAC of the box without restriction? Do I need to change something in Root Browser ? If I can not change MAC in this box, I can do on the H96 Max X3 ?? Thank you very much, and excuse my English. Best site this!

Reply
Wally
Wally

Hello there, I’m currently comparing this A95X-F3 to the Tanix TX3 4GB RAM model. I’m actually considering between them as I’m looking to upgrade my Tanix TX3 Mini to a better model yet at a bang for buck price. The TX3 mini was such a good device, I was satisfied using it for 2 years. Could you advise which model I should go for? Or is there a better recommendation within this price range of the A95X-F3? I’m certainly settling down for more RAM, so at least 4GB RAM would be great. I was leaning towards the A95X-F3 seeing how… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Wally
Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  Wally

A95X-F3 is the right choice, A95X-F4 now has a worst firmware maybe in the future will be better… but not now.

Reply
Wally
Wally
Reply to  Kim

Thanks for the info. So I’ll just go for the A95X-F3, I suppose going for the Air model, it’s still good right? I can’t find the normal model in my country anymore. A95X-F3 Air is still better than the Tanix TX3, right?

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  Wally

Right.

Reply
Ajay Govind
Ajay Govind

I am planning to buy TV Box..
I have 2 choices available in Local shops. Both are 1 yr old models, but same price.

1) A95X F3 4/32GB Amlogix S905X3
2) X96 Mate 6K 4/32GB Allwinner H616

Which one is better between these two?

I would have preferred to buy A95X F4, but it is not available in Mumbai, India and in this pandemic times, not possible also…

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  Ajay Govind

A95X F3 is better, amlogic is better solution for a tv-box.
Also you can test LibreELEC and EmueELEC, allwinner is not compatible.

Reply
Ajay Govind
Ajay Govind
Reply to  Kim

Thank you for your valuable feedback.. I will consider them when buying.. But honestly, I dont understand LibreElec/EmueElec and where it would be useful.. All I care to buy a robust and reliable TV Box with regular software updates… My previous T95N M8Spro box had major heating issue… Mate seems newer model and supports 6k compared to A95X F3..so was prefering since F4 not available..but Now you say A95X F3 is better than JX96Mate even when it is older.. I was also introduced to AndBox Prime 4/32 GB, which is Indian make with 1 yr warranty, amlogic s905x3 chip and… Read more »

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  Ajay Govind

IF you want regular update don’t buy a low-cost box, buy nvidia, xiaomi or similar:
https://androidpctv.com/comparison-best-android-tv-mini-pc-buy-tv-box-android/
Amlogic S905X3 and A95X F3 is the best option in the low cost sector in my opinion.

Reply
Ajay Govind
Ajay Govind
Reply to  Kim

Well I bought A95XF3 Air..It worked great for a year..But suddenly the HDMi and AV out both stopped working…It boots up ok..But no display on TV. I tried hard reset..but nothing happens..

Is there a way to fix this issue?

Reply
machado
machado

is this one better than T95 PLUS?

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  machado

This is more popular and have more support.

Reply
machado
machado
Reply to  Kim

I dont understand what more support means can you explain please. I plan on using the tv box to run 265 files. Between A95x F3 and a normal T95 which one should I pick

Reply
Kim
Kim
Reply to  machado

Better firmware/system. No idea what is 265 files. Pick A95x f3.

Reply
Hunans
Hunans

Why does my A95X F3 air use the Windows 10 line brush and display errors at a rate of 1%. And report an error [0x10103003] Romcode/initialize DDR/download data/USB transmission error

Reply
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