REVIEW: Beelink GT1 MINI with the new Amlogic S905X2 SoC

PRODUCT DETAILS

Description

The TV-Box Beelink GT1 MINI is extremely small as you can see in the pictures, at the top it has the logo of the brand as a decoration. On the front we only have a small discrete white LED and on the perimeter we have all the connectors, the USB 3.0 port that is new in this SoC, we also have HDMI 2.1 to 4K@75fps connector, AV jack, another USB 2.0, microSD reader and highlighted with a red circle the power connector. In the lower red area we have a hole for the button to update your firmware if necessary.

• Materials and measures: Plastic / 3 x 3 x 0.7 inch (77 x 77 x 17 mm) / 4.2 oz (120 gr)
• Package contents: Manual / Adapter DC 5V 2A / HDMI cable / IR+RF remote control with microphone (2x AAA batteries not included).
• Interfaces: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / AV Jack 3.5mm / Jack AV / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset.
• Leds and panel: White LED

The remote that comes by default is quite simple and serves to perform the basic functions, if we press the microphone button, Google search with Voice Search is launched with which we can search the web for content and launch them. We can also install Google Assistant from Google Play and launch installed apps like Youtube or Netflix, works fine in all the languages. From the command we can not access the multitasking function, a pity, maybe Beelink update it in the future.

• Remote control: Basic remote with IR option and 2.4GHz RF adapter via USB adapter included.
• Alternative remote control: We can control remotely from our mobile or Android TV-Box using the app  Cetusplay or connect a flymouse, mouse or keyboard.

ANDROID SYSTEM

Environment and user experience

We turn on the Beelink GT1 MINI by plugging it into the dc adapter, it starts up automatically and the front white LED lights up. After a discrete input animation we arrive at the default launcher based on squares where we can customize the sidebar with shortcuts or two additional screens on each side. We have very few apps installed by default, something that is appreciated. In this TV-Box the system moves very fluid and fast between the apps, there are no hardware performance problems thanks to the S905X2 SoC, the 4GB DDR4 RAM and the excellent internal storage which is especially fast.

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

• Launcher: Basic Launcher / YES we can change launcher but only Pixel launcher works 100% / Android UI rendering at 1080p.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking only from the lower android navigation bar / YES lower access bar and notification area.
• Installed apps: Google play, DLNA,  Google, Voice Search, AppMarket, Update,  Bee File Manager and Bee Music.
• Languages: All the international Android classics.
• On/Off Controls: Pressing the power off button the system Shutdown directly.

System, support and store apps

The Beelink GT1 MINI has intalled three different settings menus, one the classic side menu with global android settings, another with TV-Box settings and finally the Android classics with the background in white. The Google Play store behaves normally and we can find the most common apps. The version of the system and the compilation of the kernel is quite new as we can see.

• System version: Android 8.1.0 (32 bit) / Kernel 4.9.76 (11-09-2018).
• App store: Google Play with all the apps available for the Android system.
• Brand support: Official Beelink support, it has the first available OTA and recovery firmware.
• Root: The system IS rooted but it can be disabled from Android classic settings, developer mode.
• Scene: The system IS rooted / There are no custom firmwares for this TV-Box / NOT compatible with LibreELEC.

HARDWARE TESTS

Storage and RAM Memory

We perform our usual memory tests and internal storage in the Beelink GT1 MINI using the SD bench app. As we can see in the tests, the internal storage speed is really fast, which makes the system show very fluid. We also have as a novelty with a USB 3.0 port that allows us much higher reading speeds than the classic USB 2.0 although the writing does not reach the maximum of this type of ports.

• Storage: Total 32GB – Free 24GB. / Is expandable with a USB memory stick
• RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR4.
• Compatible formats: NTFS compatible / exFAT compatible

WIFI and Bluetooth

In Wi-Fi connections, the Beelink GT1 MINI TV-Box has a Wifi ac 2.4/5GHz without Bluetooth 4.0 (AP6255) with which we connect to an ASUS RT-AC1200G+ Router, a mid-range device. We perform tests on the use of streaming using the iPerf measurement tool to see the maximum performance of each network adapter.

• Wifi speed results: Correct speed for this wifi adapter, quite stable.
• Wifi range: At a distance of 5 meters with a wall we have a signal of 34 dBm, very good value.
• Bluetooth: We can connect compatible devices without problems.
• We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.

Power consumption, temperature and noise

The power consumption of the Android TV Beelink GT1 MINI using the Amlogic S905X2 SoC has very good results in terms of efficiency. This new SoC is manufactured in 12nm and has a maximum consumption of only 3.5W, we have tried to take it up to 5W that seems the maximum of the SoC but it is impossible even with benchmarks.

We check the performance of the TV-Box in scenarios of maximum sustained performance and in its usual use, we use a stress app for fifteen minutes and thermal camera to detect hot areas. As we have seen the Beelink GT1 MINI has no ventilation slots but the heat sink system works perfectly and the consumption reach only 3.5W even playing the PUBG, thats prevents it from getting hot.

• Loss of performance: The system maintains a maximum constant performance, NO loss of performance.
• Temperature: The upper part heats up a little but does not affect the general use of the TV-Box.
• Noise: Fanless system, 0db.

PERFORMANCE TEST

SOC

As for power, the Beelink GT1 MINI has very good results in the line of the new Amlogic S905X2 Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A53 processors and Mali-G31 MP2 GPU in a very good position. Observing the results we can see how it is almost on par with the most powerful Amlogic SoC from  the last generation the S912, in general section is below from a powerful SoC like the Rockchip RK3399 that already has ARM Cortex-A73 cores, in general a excellent product with ridiculous power consumption.

• You can read our Comparison article for Amlogic S905X2 SoC with all its technical details

Benchmarks

Games and gamepads

In the gaming aspect the Beelink GT1 MINI have the Amlogic S905X2 SoC that integrates a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, this model allows us to correctly move most Android titles without performance problems and good compatibility. The titles with a lot of 3D load also move quite well and this GPU allows us to play them correctly in low or medium settings, you can see a complete match playing PUBG in the next video.

• Compatibility: IS possible to play demanding titles such as PUBG.
• Controls: Compatible with Gamepads by cable or bluetooth.

VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video and audio connections

At multimedia playback level, the Beelink GT1 MINI behaves perfectly using the S905X2 SoC, a product that supports HDMI 2.1 video output that theoretically allows maximum resolution up to 4K@75fps with HDR information. We also have a AV jack for old stereo or TV audio.

As a novelty in this SoC we verify that we have image quality settings with brightness, contrast and saturation, and several preconfigured, also has DNR “Digital Noise Reduction” that effects a smoothing effect of the image with results that depend on personal tastes,a ll of these settings do not seem to work because of some problem in the Amlogic SDK that could fixed soon. We also have specific settings to activate Dolby Vision if we have a compatible TV.

• Automatic refresh rate change: Not available, the settings exist but it does not work. *
• Audio passthrough: Available in audio settings. *
• Image adjustments: Image quality settings exists but don’t work / RGB mode / HDR <> SDR modes. *
• Media sharing: Chromecast NO / Miracast NO (will be added) / DLNA with BlubblePnP / Airplay NO.
• HDMI CEC: Available in settings but DON’T work (Amlogic need to fix in SDK).
• * Tutorials: Judder effect and how to avoid it / Multi-channel audio guide / Correct dark screen when playing video on Android.

Video playback test

We passed our video playback tests on the Beelink GT1 MINI, a device that integrates the S905X2 SoC and a VPU compatible with most modern video formats as we see in the video tests. We can use players like MX Player or install KODI from Google Play, we can uninstall the pre installed without problems. This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC.

With the VPU called TruLife Gen8 gives us a pretty good image quality, we have more defined colors than in the S905X models where video processing is basic. We must also highlight the best compatibility with VP9 P2 video in 4K resolution, plus we notice improvements in the playback of Anime HVEC but still charge the CPU although it is a very specific niche format.

• Compatibility: HEVC with good performance at 10 bit color or HDR / VP9 correct with P2, not compatible with 8K
• Tutorials: Install Addons in KODI in a simple way / LibreELEC installation guide for the TV-Boxes with Android

Test results

• * The maximum bitrate depends on the internal storage, usb port, Ethernet adapter or wifi used, we have used the fastest available, see Hardware tests section of this same review to have more information and have consider the limitations of SAMBA Networks.

Audio playback test

We perform tests in the Beelink GT1 MINI using a Yamaha RXV-577 AV receiver we check that they supports DD and DTS pass through sound. We can only listen to the multi-channel audio up to 5.1, if we do not have an AV receiver and we have problems to listen to files with AC3 or multichannel sound we must configure the system to listen to configure the system to listen to multichannel AC3 videos in stereo on any TV.

• Ports: HDMI up to 5.1 / Stereo audio jack
• Certification: No
• Chomecast Audio: No

Audio test results

• PCM – Stereo only doing downmix from DD or DTS
• Core – Only the core of the format is played back with what we passed to the Dolby / DTS base system
  * Our AV receiver does not support these native formats but we verify that it is played back to 7.1

Streaming services

We pass the classic tests on streaming services to see how the most popular services work. In this model does not have certificates for these services. The Beelink GT1 MINI model presents the classic configuration without certificates that limits us in quality in several streaming services, all the services works without problems.

• DRM: Google Widevine L3
• Certification: No

CONCLUSIONS

Score

Opinion

The new model Beelink GT1 MINI follows the line of the Beelink brand and offers us a product with interesting components, in addition as we have seen we already have the first OTA available and a recovery firmware, something that in the models without support we don’t have. With the integration of the new Amlogic S905X2 SoC this model now incorporates USB 3.0, visual improvements in video playback and excellent consumption that offer us a really low temperatures. The performance of the Wifi AC adapter with good coverage despite the internal antenna and the Gigabit Ethernet port speed allow us to use them as a network player without problems. The standard included remote control works well with Google Assistant although if it was a flymouse or Bluetooth it would be better.

In the Beelink GT1 MINI has surprised us for its small size by and the internal storage speed, maybe one the best we’ve seen in the sector as you can see in our tests, 4GB of RAM DDR4 also help to have a feeling of high fluidity. A model that works perfectly as a video player for example with KODI or for powerful games such as PUBG and all kinds of apps. The firmware is stable, has navigation bars and Root selector, there are things still things to be polished that we have been commenting with Beelink and will be updated via OTA. In general, a recommended model for those looking for a powerful and efficient mini TV-Box with a state-of-the-art system..

WHERE TO BUY AND ADD-ONS

• You can compare this product with our recommended models to know alternatives.

Add-ons

Beelink GT1 MINI

8.3

DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY

8.5/10

HARDWARE

9.0/10

SOFTWARE

7.5/10

SUPPORT

8.0/10

PRICE/QUALITY

8.5/10

Pros

• Wifi ac an Ethernet Gigabit efficient
• Good dessign
• Stable firmware and OTA updates
• Remote with microphone included
• Fast internal storage

Cons

• The remote could be Flymouse
• Firmware needs small improvements