Here is our updated X88 Pro 10 TV Box Review after a year of use!
The X88 Pro 10 Android TV Box is one of the most exciting new TV boxes on the market for two reasons. First, it is one of the few boxes that is already offering the new Android 11.0 operating system, which promises to enable a lot of additional features in time. Second, it is about 20% cheaper than most comparable Android TV boxes on the market.
The X88 Pro is a powerful box that is ideal for anyone who wants to customize their system and place this piece of hardware at the center of their personal media library.
However, like many generic boxes, it is worth noting that it does not come with premium features including access to Netflix in 4K, voice control, or smart home integrations. But this is something that is true for most generic TV boxes. If you want these features, you need to go with big-name brands.
We recommend this box for anyone who wants to customize their own set-up for installing sophisticated versions of Kodi. Read our full review to understand why.
X88 Pro 10 TV Box Review
The X88 Pro 10 Android TV Box is currently available to purchase on Amazon for less than $50. At this price, the stock is likely to sell out fast.
When compared with similar Android TV boxes that have the same power and storage but also the same restrictions in terms of accessing premium content, you can probably expect to pay another $20 to $25 for a comparable box. Plus, the X88 Pro is one of the few Android TV boxes on the market that is already running Android 11.0.
The X88 Pro 10 Android is a very good TV box at a very good price.
Specifications | |
---|---|
Processor | RK3318 Quad-Core Chipset |
Operating System | Android 11.0 |
Memory | 4GB RAM & 64GB ROM |
Memory expansion | TF Card (max 64GB) & USB 3.0 Expansions |
Bluetooth | 4.0 |
Internet | Ethernet LNA and 2.4/5.8G Dual Wi-Fi |
Video Resolution | 4K and 3D capabilities |
X88 Pro 10 TV Box Review: Product Analysis
The X88 Pro 10 starts with an RK3318 Quad-Core Chipset, which is a very respectable chipset, though not absolutely top of the range. But considering that the chipset is one of the main factors in determining price, this is why this box is so affordable. And the chipset is certainly more than powerful enough to run all required features.
The system then runs the Android 11.0 operating system, which was only released in September 2020 and is still pretty rare to find on most Android TV boxes. This operating system enables a lot of new features in connection with controlling conversations and privacy, capturing content and data, smart predictive tools, accessibility, and privacy and security. The resulting interface will feel both familiar and exceptional.
You get 4GB of RAM with this device, which is notable since most devices that cost about the same come with 2GB as standard. This is important if you want to run your own systems on top of the basic Android system, such as Kodi. The 2GB machines just aren’t powerful enough to run some of the best Kodi installs, but with 4GB, these premium builds should work very well.
With 64GB of ROM, you also get plenty of storage with this box. Again, this is about double what you can expect from a similarly priced box. This is essential if you want to store any of your own media on the box to watch. You also get lots of options when it comes to expanding storage, with both TF card storage available and USB 3.0 usable for external storage.
On top of this, you get the latest ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth options. Ethernet and Wi-Fi are important, as you won’t want a poor connection to be what leaves you staring at the loading ring of death. The Bluetooth will let you connect a custom remote or other hardware. This is something that you might want to do as the remote that comes with the box is pretty basic.
Since that all sounds amazing, you might be wondering what exactly is wrong with this box. Well, the fact is that when you go with a generic box rather than a box from one of the big-name brands, you sacrifice a few premium features.
You won’t get sophisticated voice controls, and you won’t get options to tie your box into your smart home system if you have one.
While most people can live with these two problems, you also don’t get to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime in full 4K. While the box is certainly powerful enough to deliver that kind of streaming, the providers don’t tend to authorize generic boxes to access that content. You can read more about why exactly that is here.
This is a feature that will be vital to some and not important at all to others. Bear in mind that you can still watch Netflix in HD and that you need a premium Netflix account to watch their 4K content anyway.
Our Personal X88 Pro 10 TV Box Rating
Overall Rating
Overall, we are giving the X88 Pro 10 Android TV Box 4/5 stars.
So if you are the type of person who subscribes to major streaming services such as Netflix and Prime Video and you just want to be able to ask your TV box to play the latest episode of your favorite show in 4K, this is not the box for you.
But if you are the type of person who wants to create your own home media library from your extensive collection or you want to run sophisticated installations of Kodi, you will be very impressed by this box.
If you aren’t sure about exactly what we are talking about when we discuss Kodi, read our complete Kodi guide here.
FAQs
What’s so great about Android 11.0?
Android 11.0 has been specifically designed to give people a bit more control over their phones and reduce some of the fear we have over our phones spying on us. For example, you can grant your phone one-time permission to use features such as your camera or location rather than having to enable that feature all the time and then go into settings to disable it. It also has other nice features such as making messages from all of your
Is Android 11.0 stable now?
Android 11.0 has been considered stable since the start of 2021. Only very limited bugs have been reported, and there have been no widespread issues associated with the system. Many of the latest Google and Samsung phones are already using Android 11.0.
Can I use the X88 Pro 10 with an older TV?
This Android TV box connects with your TV via an HDMI cable, so you can use it with any TV that has an HDMI connection. This should only exclude the oldest TVs. But remember that your viewing quality is only as good as the weakest link. While the X88 Pro is capable of streaming in 4K, it won’t deliver 4K if you don’t have a 4K TV.
What Internet speeds do I need for streaming?
Exactly how much internet you need to stream depends on what exactly you want to watch. As a general rule, you will need at least 5MBps for standard definition streaming and more like 25MBps for 4K streaming. Remember that is just the bandwidth that your box needs and you will be eating into your internet connection if you have other connected devices working at the same time.
Should I use a VPN with the X88 Pro 10 TV Box?
It is always advisable to use a VPN when you go online to protect your privacy and encrypt your data. Some streamers choose not to use a VPN with their Android TV box as VPNs restrict internet speeds and the activity is often considered low-risk if you are using certified streaming services. Whether you are willing to accept that level of risk is up to you.
However, if you are using Kodi or similar services or you are torrenting entertainment content, you should always protect yourself with a VPN.
Learn More
The Verdict
The X88 Pro 10 Android TV Box is a pretty exciting new release for two reasons. Firstly, you get lots of power and storage for a very affordable price tag. The box has about twice the RAM and the ROM of other Android TV boxes available for less than $50.
Secondly, it is running the Android 11.0 operating system, which has lots of great features for developers and early adopters.
This box probably isn’t the best choice for anyone who is looking for something plug-and-play to stream 4K content from mainstream streaming services.
But if you are looking for a box to deliver the media library you’ve collected over the years or to run sophisticated programs that scrape the internet for the content that you are looking for, you will be very impressed by just how much you can do with such an affordable piece of kit.
Have you used the X88 Pro 10 Android TV Box? What do you think of it? Would you recommend it? Share your insights with the community in the comments section below.
Have u tried using the TV box away from the router like in another room? Just to check on how it affects the WiFi speed and the lan speed. The performance whether it lags due to poor connection as it doesn’t have external antennas. Or it works better is its connected with a lan. Just asking 🙂
I have a box , I love it for the most part, it gets hot and slows up, is there a fix for that?
Bought this box but having some issues.
1. Folders are generated automatically when i insert a flash drive.
2. Files show up in my file browser but not in my tivimate app when trying to restore a file in the app
3. Can only access the top menu of my hd movie app in mouse mode
I have no problems on two other android boxes
Box seems to provide great picture quality but doesnt provide much volume control
Ever time i swItch programs it goes back to low vol but the volume slider is in the middle
Can this box be used with an outdoor television?
The X88 Pro 10 Android TV Box is primarily designed for indoor use. It may not be suitable for outdoor televisions, as it may not have the necessary protection against various environmental factors such as moisture, extreme temperatures, or direct exposure to sunlight. For outdoor use, it’s recommended to look for specialized outdoor TV boxes or solutions designed to withstand outdoor conditions.