Hello again!
We return with a review of the new U8K-ULTRA Android 11 TV box from Minix.
Thanks goes to Clark from Minix for this review sample!
Minix U8K-ULTRA is the newest offering from Minix, a Hong Kong based renowned manufacturer of Android based TV Boxes. In the TV Box market, for years, the Minix name was synonymous with high quality, and top of the line Android TV boxes. It still is.
Minix U8K-ULTRA is a Amlogic S928X-K chipset based TV Box. It comes at a bigger size than the previous android models, but also with a lit “MINIX” logo on top that adds to its natual round edges elegance.
What’s in the Box?
Minix U8K-ULTRA comes in a larger (than previous Minix models) sqaure black plastic box, with the LED lit MINIX logo on top. It is made of solid matte black plastic, and feels sturdy and hefty, at 253 grams.
Minix U8K-ULTRA Looks
Here are the items that come in the box: Minix U8K-ULTRA TV Box, 1 * IR Remote, 1 * HDMI Cable, 1 * User Manual, 1 * User Guide, 1 * Power Adapter:
Minix U8K-Ultra Specifications
| Operation System | Android AOSP 11, upgradeable via OTA |
| CPU | AMlogic S928X-K big.LITTLE architechture ARM Cortex A76 + Quad-Core Cortex A55 Processor (64-bit) |
| GPU | ARM G57 MC2 |
| NPU | Support INT8 Inference for Deep Learning (Tensor Flow, Caffe, etc) |
| SDRAM | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage Capacity (Flash) | 128GB eMMC 5.1 |
| WIFI | 802.11ax 2×2 MIMO Dual-Band Wi-Fi6 (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Video Output | HDMI@ 2.1 (8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz), support HDMI-CEC/DV/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
| Audio Output | HDMI@ 2.1, Optical S/PDlF, 3.5mm audio jack |
| AI Picture Processing | Al Picture Quality Enhancer (Al-PQ), Al Resolution Upscaler (AI-SR) |
| Peripheral Interface | RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet Micro SD card reader USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port 3.5mm audio jack, lR receiver |
| Rated Power Input | DC12V/2.5A (30W USB-C PD adapter included) |
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm |
| Net Weight | 253 Grams |
Minix U8K-ULTRA Benchmarks and Testing
*All completed benchmarks have been repeated 3 times and results have been averaged to give a more accurate reading (aside for PCMark):
Antutu Benchmark
The Antutu 9 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. Minix U8K-ULTRA performs on the average-high side in Antutu test, at number 3 out of 11 modern TV boxes tested. A word of warning: this test did not complete fully, as the “Terracota” 3d graphic test portion simply would not run, so it is missing.
Bellow are Antutu 10 results:
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. Minix U8K-ULTRA gets a high score – placed second, on the average and normalized score, and actually takes the lead of the pack in Average frames per second!
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). Minix U8K-ULTRA is at the lead with RAM copy speed, at 3rd place, but only 18th place in internal/external storage read/write speeds. This test is measured according to the average read speed of the internal storage.
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. Minix U8K-ULTRA reaches high once again, at 3rd place.
3D Mark Benchmark
3D Mark benchmark is considered as one of the best ways to test 3d performance on Android (and other platforms). Minix U8K-ULTRA gets first place at Wild Life benchmark, but only 3rd spot in Slingshot Extreme Benchmark (which, supposedly, is easier and older).
Minix U8K-ULTRA Extra Benchmarks and special features
Before moving on to the Extra benchmark reasults, I would like to mention something that is a major selling point for this (very) expensive TV box: AI video enhancement. As Ultra U8K CPU includes a NPU (Neural Processing Unit), it is utilized (optionally, through the settings) to improve video playback quality in real-time!
The two technologies included are: AI-based Super Resolution (AI-SR) upscaler, enhancing 1080p to 2X, 720p to 3X, and 480p to 4X detail. And AI-PQ, real-time scene analysis optimizes picture quality for a truly immersive viewing.
What it actually does, is sharpen and add details to a running video, to improve and enhance the viewing experience on the fly. It has “Low”, “Medium”, and “High” settings, which (to me) are quite distinct. Some people may not approve of the results as they tend to (sometimes) oversaturate and/or oversharpen the resulting video. But of course, you can fix that fast by turning the setting off or from a higher setting to a lower one.
For some more information, see the following screenshots from other benchmarks such as Vellamo (without the browser section as google chrome is not available for Android TV), Passmark Performance Test, Vellamo, nPerf, GFXBench, Geekbench 5:
Minix U8K-ULTRA Bugs and Issues
* It should be mentioned, that even though I used the latest 002 official firmware in the beginning, I switched to the Beta 003 firmware later. I did this to see if it fixed any of the issues I have raised. It did not. But it did add some features, such as a Samba file server.
- Kodi only shows 1080p resolution when playing back. However, my AVR reports receiving 4k resolution on its end.. This should not happen, and makes me unsure as to what is the real playback resolution. Minix claims that it’s a Kodi issue, and not theirs. But it did not happen with previous Minix players.
- Antutu 9 Benchmark: this test did not complete fully, as the “Terracota” 3d graphic test portion simply would not run, so it is missing.
- I noticed a real issue (as can be seen in the speed test screenshot bellow) – both with WiFi speeds (should reach at least 600 Mbps out of my 1000 Mbps connection with WiFi 6 and MIMO), and especially with the wired connection, that evidently falls to 100 Mbps speeds as if the included built-in network adapter is actually a 100 MBit chip rather than the supposed Gigabit LAN adapter. It cannot be excused, and even though I raised this at Minix forum, I got no actual help on the matter as other users show that they are actually getting Gigabit relative speeds on both counts.
- Some TS video files seems to have a recurring issue where the video starts, then freezes for about 7 seconds, and then continues playing as if there is no issue.
- A3 Air Pro BT remote control is a bit finicky. Meaning, it may lose control if slightly far from the box. This should not happen, and with its predecessor (A2) it never did.
- AI-PQ reports invalid value when the on-screen indication is turned on, and AI-SR reports it is not enabled (although that may be because no video is playing). It does not matter which value is selected (low, mid, high):
Minix U8K-ULTRA Root Function
Minix U8K-ULTRA does not arrive rooted, nor does it include a root switch. That is regretable as the OS version is not very new (so it would not be difficult to implement a root switch), and this also may cause issues with some applications and/or functionality.
Minix U8K-ULTRA Video Playback testing (using Kodi)
Minix U8K-ULTRA is a very solid player. It breezes through every single one of the video files, as can be seen below. Similarily to the Ugoos SK1, , regardless of wired or wireless connection with flying colors. The only thing I had some issue with were TS (specific online TV show files from a specific network) files which caused (about) a 7 second video freeze at each playback beginning, but after that played perfectly. Including pausing and playing or stopping.
Minix U8K-ULTRA 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.
U8K Ultra exhibits a real issue (as can be seen in the speed test screenshot bellow) – both with WiFi speeds (should reach at least 600 Mbps out of my 1000 Mbps connection with WiFi 6 and MIMO), and especially with the wired connection, that evidently falls to 100 Mbps speeds as if the included built-in network adapter is actually a 100 MBit chip rather than the supposed Gigabit LAN adapter.
It cannot be excused, and even though I raised this at Minix forum, I got no actual help on the matter as other users show that they are actually getting Gigabit relative speeds on both counts. Analiti (another speed test app) shows the same about both WiFi and Wired LAN (only showing Wired LAN speed here).
Minix U8K-ULTRA Gaming Performance
Asphalt 8 – a 3d graphic intensive racing game. I found that Minix U8K-ULTRA runs the game smoothly fast, when I tested it with a wireless gamepad.
Angry Birds 2 – a popular 2d action game. U8K-Ultra runs this game without a hitch with the included A3 Pro Air mouse.
Walking War Robots – an online robot warfare game that requires a game-pad (I don’t have a game-pad). Minix U8K-ULTRA runs smoothly, but even though it was able to identify the wireless gamepad (this game requires one for optimal experience), it seems to have detected/utilized it wrong and I could not naviagate the game with it.
Minix U8K-ULTRA Conclusions
Did I like it? Yes, I did. with some caveats, such as high price, some small issues, and missing root.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but only for those with deep pockets who wants to be at the cutting edge of TV boxes today.
You like it! Where can you buy it? For about 230 USD (including coupon, at the time of publication), go to Amazon.com here: Minix U8K-Ultra
Amazon.co.uk: 366 USD Minix U8K-Ultra
Aliexpress: 276 USD Minix U8K-Ultra
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