Hi all! This time we have for you a review of the new X4Q Pro Player Android 11 TV box from James at Ugoos.
Thank you James for you continued support and for providing this review sample!
X4Q Pro is a TV box based on Amlogic S905X4 chipset which offers great and stable video performance with support for the new AV1 codec. This box is similar if not identical to it’s older brothers from X4 family (reviewed here in the past), and the specs are simply upgraded. Aside for BT 5.1, the included IR/BT Remote control also functions as a air mouse (saving you a few bucks).
What’s in the Box?
X4Q Pro is a small, black plastic box, with the logo shiny on top where the LED indicator is also located, and a IR/BT transceiver is placed in the front, behind vent holes. It is perforated along the sides to provide better passive cooling, and is quite small, sturdy and light at 111 grams.
X4Q Pro Looks
Here are the items that come in the box: X4Q Pro TV Box, 1 * IR/BT Remote control/air mouse, 1 * HDMI Cable, 1 * USB-C Power Adapter:
X4Q Pro Specifications
| Operation System | Android 11 |
| Language | English, Chinese …Multi-Language support |
| CPU | Amlogic S905X4 with Quad-Core Cortex-A55 12nm |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G31MP2 Open GL ES 3.2 Vulkan 1.0 |
| SDRAM | LPDDR4 4GB |
| Storage Capacity (Flash) | 32GB (eMMC) |
| WIFI | 2.4G+5G The wireless module complies with IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac support 2T2R MiMO technology |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 with LE technology |
| The Extended Storage | TF Card, up to 32GB (SD2.X,SD3.X,SD4.X, eMMC ver5.0) |
| Power Supply | DC 5V/2.5A via USB Type – C |
| HDR | Supports |
| HDMI Output | HDMI 2.1 Type-A Support maximum 4Kx2K@60fps 10Bit + 1080P60 10Bit |
| 1*USB 3.0 host, 1*USB 2.0 OTG | |
| Optical Output | 1*SPDIF |
| Network | 1*RJ45 1000M (1000M Ethernet Integrated IEEE 802.3 10/100/1000M Ethernet MAC with RGMII interface) |
| Remote Control | IR+BT Remote controller (and Air mouse) |
| Dimensions | 88mm*88mm*22mm |
| Net Weight | 111 grams |
X4Q Pro Benchmarks and Testing
*All completed benchmarks (other than A1SD’s external SD test) have been repeated 3 times and results have been averaged to give a more accurate reading (aside for PCMark):
Antutu Benchmark
The Antutu benchmark tests single core performance over multi-core as it is a better indication of the performance of one device over others in most situations. The new(er) version benchmark has only been conducted for these 4 boxes, and the X4Q Pro is right in the middle of the score table.
GPU Mark Benchmark
GPU Mark tests 3d gaming performance and also provides a normalized score according to the used screen resolution (for a more accurate result). The test is quite short and should be taken as a supporting result to that of the more serious 3D Mark benchmark. X4Q Pro achieves an excellent score in this older 3d graphics test that places is in the second place in average and normalized score, and third place in the average FPS testing!
A1 SD Benchmark
A1 SD Benchmark tests RAM and flash memory speeds. As can be seen in the provided graphs, RAM is much faster (by a factor of about 40) than flash memory – that is why it’s in smaller amount and is also volatile (does not keep its contents after a reboot). Internal Storage read speed is the highest tested so far.. and the RAM copy speed takes number 5 on the graph, but the benchmark had issues on this box with testing the external MicroSD card (definitely a specific bug for this box, as I tested with another MicroSD card within the allowed specs and got the same results) – which only tested once and then could not be read by the benchmark application.
PC Mark Benchmark
An extensive suite of productivity tests which is designed to show a more balanced picture of an android device’s ability to perform various tasks such as spreadsheet calculations, photo editing, complex web page browsing and more. In this thorough set of productivity tests, X4Q Pro was only second to its earlier brother, the X4Q Pro (with the same chipset, by the way).
3D Mark Benchmark
3D Mark benchmark is considered as one of the best ways to test 3d performance on Android (and other platforms). X4Q Pro shows here that it’s not really here to play. Placed in 4th place, its gaming 3d performance is just adequate.
X4Q Pro Extra Benchmarks
For some more information, see the following screenshots from other benchmarks such as Vellamo, Performance Test Mobile, GFX Benchmark, Geekbench, and Androbench:
X4Q Pro Bugs and Issues
- Angry Birds 2 seems to exhibit a similar bug as it does in some other new android TV boxes, and gets stuck after the first level is passed.
- Issues benchmarking both a 64GB Sandisk MicroSD (the usual card I use in all my tests) and a 32GB brand new Lexar MicroSD card in A1SD benchmark – even though both cards are recognized and read fine inside the OS.
- HDMI CEC function, even though it has more options (under settings/device preferences/input) than many other boxes, does not work too well. For one, it does not wake up when I turn the TV/AVR on, or it takes a very long time.
- Once the box is shut down, turning it back on from the remote is not possible. You have to unplug the power cord and re-plug it in.
- Root Function shows as enabled under device settings only if you do not update Magisk. If you do, it will revert to disabled (even though root is still active). I had to re-enable it in the settings, reboot, and then disable it again and reboot in order to remove the root.
- Kodi must be set to 4K resolution on a 4k TV/projector in order to view 4k video correctly, otherwise any 4k/8k video played will be shown in 1080p resolution.
X4Q Pro Root Function
The built-in Magisk based root system works well. But.. Root Function shows as enabled under device settings only if you do not update Magisk. If you do, it will revert to disabled (even though root is still active). I had to re-enable it in the settings, reboot, and then disable it again and reboot in order to remove the root. (also see under bug list above)
X4Q Pro Video Playback testing
X4Q Pro strong suit is it’s video support with AV1 codec support “baked” into the chipset from the start. However, this does not mean it will play AV1 encoded videos through Kodi (may be a Kodi related issue as it happened in other boxes with the same chipset), but it does play those via the built-in “movie player” application. As per the video playback testing in Kodi (and in IPTV applications), video works perfectly in most scenarios (Kodi must be set to 4K resolution on a 4k TV/projector in order to view 4k video correctly, otherwise it will be shown in 1080p resolution), and even 8k video is somewhat playable (2 out of 5 8k video samples played correctly). Netflix and Amazon prime should play at least at 1080p if not 4k as this box is certified (and tested to show that) DRM Widevine L1.
X4Q Pro Network Performance
I tested the network performance using the popular Speedtest.net application from the play store. I tested both WiFi (the fastest WiFi supported – in this case 5GHz 802.11ac), and wired network connection. My home connection is a symmetric 1GBit Fiber connection so it would not limit the testing. As can be seen, all speeds are more than acceptable and Wired LAN speeds is near the actual top of the connection specs:
X4Q Pro Gaming Performance
Asphalt 9 Legends – a 3d graphic intensive racing game. X4Q Pro runs it mostly fine (somewhat slow loading screens, and shading is a bit off), but able to play with the air mouse remote.
Angry Birds 2 – a popular 2d action game. On the X4Q Pro, the game runs okay, even though the response is a little slow, and again, loading screens are sluggish. As it still exhibits the “stuck hand” bug, I cannot proceed past the first level. 
Walking War Robots – an online robot warfare game that requires a game-pad (I don’t have a game-pad). X4Q Pro runs it fine (not smoothly though), and able to control with the combo IR/air mouse. Loading screens are still slow, and there is some shading issue with the robots.
X4Q Pro Conclusions
Did I like it? Yes, but.. The bugs still need to be sorted, and should not be in a second generation to an existing box. Plus, the price is a little steep, especially considering the competition (links tagged on top of the blog) is cheaper.
Would I recommend it? Yes, as long as you are aware of it’s shortcomings
You like it! Where can you buy it? You can buy it here for 98.9 USD (Pick third from the left on the top row, or model “X4Q Pro 4G32G”): 
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