Hi all! This time we have for you a review of the new X4Q Extra Player Android 11 TV box from James at Ugoos.
Thank you James for you continued support and for providing this review sample!
X4Q Extra is a TV box based on Amlogic S905X4-J chipset which offers extensive video format support, including 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 Extra 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 Extra 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 Extra Specifications
| Operation System | Android 11 |
| Language | English, Chinese …Multi-Language support |
| CPU | Amlogic S905X4-J with Quad-Core Cortex-A55 12nm |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G31MP2 Open GL ES 3.2 Vulkan 1.0 |
| SDRAM | LPDDR4 4GB |
| Storage Capacity (Flash) | 128GB (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 Extra 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 Extra (again, after 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 Extra 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. X4Q Extra took only 10th place in the Internal Read/Write benchmark. That’s 5 places behind his older brother, X4Q Pro.
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 Extra was only second to its earlier brother, the X4Q Pro (with a similar but older 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 Extra shows here that it’s not really here to play. Placed in 5th place, its gaming 3d performance is barely adequate.
X4Q Extra Other Benchmarks
For some more information, see the following screenshots from other benchmarks such as Androbench, Geekbench, Vellamo, and GFX Benchmark:
X4Q Pro Bugs and Issues
- Angry Birds 2 simply does not work properly and shows this screen even on the tutorial:
- 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 always wake up when I turn the TV/AVR on, or it takes a very long time.
- When turning the X4Q Extra on for it turn via HDMI-CEC the AVR and the TV, it will often start a chain reaction of the AVR turning off and on and off and on again at least 4 times.. There are some obvious issues with the HDMI-CEC handshake that did not happen with the X4Q Pro.
- Pausing a video and then continuing to play it may cause the audio to start cutting out and 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.
- Issues with War Robots as well as shaders seems dark and making the whole scene darker.
X4Q Extra 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 Extra Video Playback testing
X4Q Extra strong suit is it’s video support with AV1 codec support “baked” into the chipset from the start. It has been tested, and AV1 videos plays fine – even through Kodi. 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 (two out of five 8k video samples played correctly over a wired connection). 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. Also, Dolby Vision samples played perfectly on Kodi with the X4Q Extra.
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 Extra Gaming Performance
Asphalt 9 Legends – a 3d graphic intensive racing game. X4Q Extra runs it fine, aside for trouble controlling the car without a gamepad, and some darkness in textures due to the texture bug also found in War robots
Angry Birds 2 – a popular 2d action game. On the X4Q Extra, the game does not run properly as mentioned in the bug section
Walking War Robots – an online robot warfare game that requires a game-pad (I don’t have a game-pad). X4Q Pro runs it okay, other than the bug that makes the textures (shaders) dark.
X4Q Extra Conclusions
Did I like it? Not too much. It seems that the new chipset gives some issues that the engineers have yet to solve. Hopefully with a few rounds of firmware updates, they can resolve them.
Would I recommend it? Only for those that are in it for the long/er run.
You do like it! Where can you buy it? Click here to buy the box for 123 USD (before discounts): Ugoos X4Q Extra Smart TV Box Android 11 Amlogic S905X4-J 4GB 128GB 2.4G/5G Wifi BT5.0 1000M 4K Set Top Box Dolby Vison Supported
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