This X96 Max Android TV Box Review was written by Troy from TROYPOINT. After using the Android TV Box on a regular basis for one week, I received the X96 Android TV Box from GearBest in late December as a product to review.
I finally unboxed the unit after seeing numerous positive comments regarding this device in my Best Android TV Box post. It’s important to note that even though I received the X96 Max for free from GearBest, I still provide my true feelings and give you both positives and negatives.
This IPTV Box is available in various configurations. The one I received comes equipped with 4GB DDR RAM, 64GB storage, and a US power adapter. If you are going to purchase one of these after reading the review, I suggest the same configuration that I have due to its outstanding powerful components.
What’s An X96 Max Android TV Box?
Before diving into this review, you should understand how a box like the X96 Max differs from other Android-based streaming devices. The X96 Max runs on the stock Android 8.1 Oreo operating system, not Android TV.
You can think of stock Android as the same operating system found on phones and tablets. Android TV is Google’s operating system optimized for television screens found on products such as the NVIDIA SHIELD and Mi Box. Amazon has a similar Android-based operating system (Fire OS) that powers the Fire TV Stick/Fire TV, which is also optimized for the TV screen.
I often refer to boxes such as the X96 Max as a “generic Android TV Box” because it isn’t using the true Android TV operating system. Boxes such as the X96 Max are perfect for those who don’t use any of the paid services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. If you use any of those services, I would suggest either the Fire TV Stick/Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield, or Mi Box. Those apps perform much better on Android TV and Fire OS operating systems.
Most of these boxes are distributed in China, which means customer support is usually very limited. The great thing about these generic Android TV Boxes is that you can get a lot of bang for your buck because there aren’t any license requirements from the manufacturers, so they pass the savings onto you. I strongly suggest purchasing the iPazzPort Wireless Keyboard/Remote Combo if you are using one of these stock Android units. It will make it much easier navigating the screen in apps that aren’t remote-control friendly.
What I Like
Let’s start with what I like about this box. The fairly new S905X2 CPU is a fast processor, and I experience absolutely no lag when using this Android TV Box.
This processor also allows for USB 3.0 support on the device, which will greatly speed up data transfer when using an external drive. Currently, I won’t consider purchasing an Android TV Box if it doesn’t include Android 8 Oreo. The X96 Max comes with Android 8.1 (not Android TV).
Another requirement for me in 2019 is WiFi support for both 2.4 and 5 GHz, which this does include. See my download speed tests below with VPN on and off. This device comes with 4GB of DDR4 RAM, which is a huge plus for any Android-powered device.
This helps with buffering and multitasking while using the box. One of the biggest complaints about the popular Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is its lack of internal storage at only 8GB. The X96 Max includes 64GB of ROM storage, perfect for holding movies, TV shows, games, etc.
I appreciate the simple launcher that is included with this streaming box.
All the content is conveniently displayed on one screen and I can effortlessly add my favorites to the top row of the home screen.
You can access all installed apps on the X96 Max by clicking the multiple square icon at the bottom, which directs you to a dedicated screen.
The X96 Max also features various ports that are practical, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0, Micro SD Card slot, Optical, Ethernet, AV, and IR.
The LED screen on the front of the X96 Max that shows the current time and system information is a nice touch.
During my extensive use for a week with IPTV running from morning until night, the device maintained a cool temperature without overheating, even with heavy usage.
Playback of movies using Cinema APK and Kodi was smooth and trouble-free.
At its current price of $57.99, the X96 Max Android TV Box offers impressive performance considering its CPU, RAM, and storage capabilities.
What I Don’t Like
The X96 Max includes a basic IR remote, which is a common feature among these generic Android TV boxes. However, I personally prefer using the iPazzPort Wireless Keyboard Remote Combo with such devices.
One minor inconvenience is that when clicking the mouse button on the remote, the keyboard always appears, requiring an extra step to switch back to the built-in mouse. Despite this, it’s not a significant issue for me since I primarily use my iPazzPort as the main remote.
Apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime don’t function smoothly on the X96 Max. For optimal performance with paid services, devices like Amazon Fire TV or NVIDIA SHIELD, which have proper licensing, are recommended.
Please note that paid services differ from the IPTV solutions often discussed on this site, which work seamlessly on the X96 Max.
Although download speeds could be better, the manufacturer may have compromised on network adapters resulting in slightly slower speeds. However, the speed reduction with an active VPN was minimal, which is a positive aspect.
Download speeds for streaming devices shouldn’t be a major concern as servers usually have speed limitations. Anything above 20 Mbps with VPN on should suffice for smooth streaming.
Considering the lack of Android OS updates, the X96 Max may follow the trend of other generic Android TV boxes without future updates. For users seeking regular updates, options like Amazon Fire TV or NVIDIA SHIELD are more suitable choices.
X96 Max Download Speed Tests
The speed tests were conducted using my 200 Mbps Internet service. WiFi testing was performed on the 5 GHz band of my Asus AC3100 router.
The speed test was carried out using IPVanish VPN.
Ethernet
VPN On: 39.4 Mbps download & 28.7 Mbps upload
VPN Off: 63.9 Mpbs download & 30.1 Mbps upload
WiFi
VPN On: 31.2 Mbps download & 28.1 Mbps upload
VPN Off: 49.5 Mbps download & 29.1 Mbps upload
What’s In The Box
Package Contents: 1 x TV Box, 1 x Remote Control, 1 x English Manual, 1 x HDMI Cable, 1 x Power Adapter
X96 Max Android TV Box Specs
- Brand: X96
- Type: TV Box
- System: Android 8.1
- CPU: Amlogic S905X2
- Core: 2.0GHz, Cortex A53
- RAM Type: DDR4
- Decoder Format: H.263, H.264, H.265, HD MPEG4
- Video format: 4K, H.265
- Audio format: AAC, APE, DDP, FLAC, HD, MP3, OGG, TrueHD, WMA
- Photo Format: BMP, GIF, HD JPEG, PNG, TIFF
- Support 5.1 Surround Sound Output: Yes
- 5G WiFi: Yes
- WIFI: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
- Power Supply: Charge Adapter
- Interface: AV, DC 5V, Ethernet, HD, Optical, TF card, USB 2.0, USB 3.0
- Antenna: No
- Language: Multi-language
- HDMI Version: 2.0
- Other Functions: 3D Games, 3D Video, DLNA, ISO Files, Miracast, NTSC, PAL
- External Subtitle Supported: Yes
- HDMI Function: HDCP
- Power Consumption: 2W
- RJ45 Port Speed: 1000M
- System Bit: 64Bit
- Product weight: 0.1500 kg
- Package weight: 0.4250 kg
- Product size (L x W x H): 10.50 x 10.50 x 2.80 cm / 4.13 x 4.13 x 1.1 inches
- Package size (L x W x H): 17.00 x 11.00 x 5.50 cm / 6.69 x 4.33 x 2.17 inches
Final Thoughts
Having reviewed numerous generic Android TV Boxes, I find the X96 Max impressive, especially considering its affordability.
It’s a robust device capable of seamless 4K video playback and offers ample storage space for downloading movies, TV shows, and games.
If you prefer a pure Android experience, the X96 Max Android TV Box might be the ideal choice for you.
Share your thoughts on the X96 Max in the comments. If you own one, feel free to provide your own review!