X96Q PRO PLUS, Review: Android TV-Box with the new SoC Allwinner H728

The X96Q PRO PLUS is a new Android TV-Box whose review we present today. A Chinese box with which we tested the Allwinner H728 SoC in depth.

The new X96Q PRO PLUS includes the SoC Allwinner H728 a chip of the cheap range that has a decent performance for its price. A device that is offered in various configurations at an affordable price, serving for apps such as KODI or IPTV.

Let’s see in our review how the X96Q PRO PLUS behaves and what it offers.

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X96Q PRO PLUS Details

X96Q PRO PLUS
SoC: Allwinner H728 Quad Core 8x Cortex-A55 @ 2GHz (64bit) / GPU Mali-G57 MC1 / 22 nm.
System: Android 14 (64bit).
Memory and Network: 2/4 GB RAM / 16/32 GB eMMC / Wifi 6 BT 5.0
Ports: HDMI 2.0 / 3x USB 2.0 / microSD / Gigabit Ethernet / Power.
Extras: HDMI Cable / Manual / BT Remote / Adapter DC 5V 2A (10W).
Materials and dimensions: Plastic / LED Panel / 140 x 90 x 20 mm / 300 gr.

Unboxing

The X96Q PRO PLUS comes in a conventional cardboard box. Inside we find the TV-Box, manual, HDMI cable, Bluetooth controller and a 5V 2A charger.

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Description

The TV-Box X96Q PRO PLUS has a classic design, on the sides we have a 3x USB 2.0 connector (the blue port is not USB 3.0), HDMI 2.0 up to 4K@60fps, Gigabit Ethernet, power off button and micro SD card reader. On the front we have a small LED display that gives us the time and can not be turned off.

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This TV-Box features a Wifi 6 chip with Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connection and an internal wifi antenna. The passive cooling system and keeps the temperature at bay without any problems as we will see.

  • Remote Control: Bluetooth remote control with microphone / Keyboard and mouse compatible
  • USB Port: Allows USB HUB to connect multiple peripherals.

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System and performance

Environment and user experience

We connect the X96Q PRO PLUS to the power supply and it starts up after a boot up with epic music. We get to the installed launcher, which is based on shortcuts in customizable rows. A very basic environment, we can change it for another that we like more from Google Play. The performance of the system is good on desktop and is quite fluid. In this environment we do not have navigation bars or notification area, and we find installed the Google Play Store for Android TV. It would be better to have the Android store for mobile, as this is not available to many apps.

  • Launcher: We can change the launcher / Android UI renders at 1080p.
  • Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / Notifications not available.
  • Languages and app store: English and all languages / Google TV apps store.

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System

We observe the system data and the options included. We doubt that this TV-Box will have updates to correct bugs, if we find a firmware we will publish it.

  • Version: Android 14 (64 bit) / NO Root / Model ADT3.
  • Support: Firmware not available / No support website.

X96Q PRO PLUS System

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The new TV-Box X96Q PRO PLUS integrates on board 4 GB of RAM DDR4 and for storage we have 32 GB eMMC not very fast. In the network section has a wireless adapter Wifi 6 MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0 with positive results. Unfortunately, we only have a Gigabit Ethernet adapter and the blue USB 3.0 port is really a USB 2.0.

  • Network: Internal Wifi antenna / Range -46 dBm / Link 5G 300 Mbps / Bluetooth OK.
  • Storage: Total 32 GB – Free 28 GB eMMC / SI expandable by micro SD card.
  • RAM: Total 4 GB – Free 3 GB / DDR4.
  • Tutorial on SAMBA Networks on Android to play files on our local network.

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Power and performance

In terms of performance, the X96Q PRO PLUS features the Allwinner H728 Octa Core SoC, manufactured in 22 nm, with ARM Cortex-A55 processors up to 1.8 GHz and in the graphics section it has a low-end Mali-G57 MC1 GPU. This SoC is an improvement of the previous Allwinner H6XX and is in a similar position to the Amlogic S905X4/S922X. As the results show we have a pretty good performance compared to other boxes of similar range.

  • CPU performance: Min. 0.4 GHz / In use 1.2 GHz / Max. 1.8 GHz.

Consumption and temperature

The Allwinner H728 SoC that we find integrated in the X96Q PRO PLUS is manufactured in 22 nm. A chip that has a low power consumption, the cooling system works acceptably and temperatures are not very high in normal use as we have seen.

  • Thermal: Min. 52ºC / In use 62ºC / Max. 79ºC / Performance up to 90% / 0db noise.
  • Consumption: Off 0.9W / Min. 2.6W / In use 3.6W / Max. 5.3W.

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Games and emulators

In the gaming section we can enjoy simple titles with its hardware. But we can also use cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GForce Now or with our home Sunshine server using Moonlight as a client. In the emulators section we can get at most run some Wii and PS2 titles. But we will not have problems with 2D games of classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or from KODI, the EmuELEC system can not be run, as it is not compatible.

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Video and Audio Test

Playback test

As for video playback, the X96Q PRO PLUS has a simple VPU compatible with modern video formats such as h.265 or VP9 up to a native resolution 4K@60fps. Is possible to activate HDR, this hardware does NOT support the recent AV1 codec. We can always use players like KODI or PLEX. For the audio, we have only stereo sound, audio settings don’t work.

video sample test n09 min

Video and audio test results

Codec Result
h.264 4K@30 Max (HW)
h.265 4K@60 HDR Max (HW)
VP9 4K@60 Max (HW)
AV1 No
  • Max Bitrate: 350 Mbps.
  • HW = Hardware Acceleration / SW = No Hardware Acceleration.
Compatibility Formats
Native No
Core No
PCM All
  • Formats: Native = Full Support / Core = 5.1 Only / PCM = Stereo / More info.

Streaming services

We performed several tests on streaming services to check how the most popular services work. This X96Q PRO PLUS presents the classic configuration without certificates, which limits us in quality in numerous services. We can use it with many of these services, but in basic quality.

  • DRM: Google Widevine L3.
  • Audio / Video certificates: No.

Streaming test results

Streaming service Quality / Audio*
Youtube 4K (2160p) / Stereo
Google Play Movies 4K (2160p) / Stereo
Netflix SD (540p) / Stereo / Netflix Guide
Max FullHD (1080p) / Stereo / Guide Max
Disney HD (720p) / Stereo / Disney Guide
Prime Video SD (480p) / Stereo / Prime Video Guide
Apple TV+ Not compatible / Stereo / Guide Apple TV
IPTV Up to 4K
    • Multichannel audio only available via HDMI connection in streaming services, via SPDIF stereo only.

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Conclusions and Purchase link

Opinion

After testing the X96Q PRO PLUS we can say that it has an acceptable hardware given its price, although as always its Android 14 is quite improvable. Highlight that we have Android 14 64bit, with a comfortable environment to use with the Bluetooth remote control, where they have put the Google TV store where we will not find many apps. It also stands out for mounting a Wifi 6 adapter and Bluetooth 5.0 with good speeds and Gigabit Ethernet port that is appreciated if we want to connect by cable to our network.

We can say that the X96Q PRO PLUS is a decent economic Android TV-Box for IPTV or emulators. If we are looking for something economical for EmuELEC it is advisable to go for an entry-level Amlogic.

Where to buy the X96Q PRO PLUS

Review

PROS
  • Inexpensive
  • Gigabit Ethernet and Wifi 6
  • BT remote control
  • Thermal correct
  • Android 14 64bit
  • Decent performance
CONS
  • USB 2.0
  • Limited Google TV Store
  • No AV1 codec or certificates
  • No pass through audio
Score– 60%

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