#android14tvbox

The Mecool MEon1 is one of the most exciting new Android TV boxes to hit the market in 2024. It combines a fully Google-certified experience with Amlogic's latest chipset. Furthermore, it arrives at a competitive price point that makes it hard to ignore. So, if you've been searching for an affordable yet capable streaming box, keep reading. This review covers everything you need to know.

What's Inside the Box?

First of all, let's talk about what you get. The package includes the MEon1 unit itself. You also receive a certified Bluetooth voice remote with Google Assistant support. Additionally, Mecool includes an HDMI cable, a 12V/1A DC power supply, and a quick-start guide. It's a straightforward unboxing experience. Nothing too flashy, but everything you need is there.

Design and Build Quality

In terms of design, the MEon1 sports a clean plastic shell. Mecool branding sits neatly on top. The I/O layout is practical. You get one HDMI 2.1 port. There's also one Ethernet LAN port, an optical audio port, and an AV port. Two USB 2.0 ports are included as well. A microSD card slot rounds out the connectivity options. The base features four rubber feet. However, there are no ventilation holes on the bottom, so keep that in mind for heat management.

Hardware and Chipset Performance

Now, here's where things get interesting. The MEon1 is powered by the Amlogic S905X5M. This is a quad-core Cortex-A55 processor clocked at 2.5 GHz. It runs in 32-bit mode. Consequently, it cannot run 64-bit apps or games. That's a limitation worth noting. The GPU is the new Mali G310. This is a significant upgrade over the older Mali-G31 MP2. In fact, it delivers over double the graphical performance on paper. It supports OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan 1.3 as well.

Moreover, the device comes with 2GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Wi-Fi 6 dual-band connectivity is onboard. However, the Ethernet LAN port is not gigabit. That means LAN speeds top out around 94 Mbps. This is something to consider if you rely heavily on wired connections.

Android 14 and Google Certification

The MEon1 runs Android 14 TV OS. More importantly, it is fully Google-certified. Therefore, you get access to the complete Google TV launcher. Apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV populate right out of the box. The device carries an official Netflix ESN license. As a result, it supports Widevine Level 1 DRM with HDCP 2.3 protection. This means paid streaming services are fully protected and stream in HD and 4K quality.

Furthermore, Google Assistant voice control is built in via the remote. Chromecast is also supported. So you can cast content directly from your phone with ease.

4K HDR and Dolby Vision Support

One of the standout features of the MEon1 is its display output. It supports 4K at 60Hz. HDR playback is excellent. Specifically, you get Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and AV1 decoding. The box also supports up to 12-bit color depth. Auto content frame rate switching is available too. In testing, Dolby Vision playback worked perfectly on compatible TVs. The HDR format detection was accurate and reliable.

However, the MEon1 does not support HDR10+. When HDR10+ content is detected, the box falls back to HDR10. For most users, this won't be an issue.

  Surround Sound Audio

On the audio side, the MEon1 delivers strong results. It supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS Virtual:X. However, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS:X were not detected during testing. Overall, though, the audio performance is solid for a box in this price range.

  Benchmark Results

In terms of raw performance, here's how the MEon1 stacks up. Its Antutu score came in at 167,594. Geekbench 5 showed 179 single-core and 616 multicore. RAM copy speed was 4,234 MB/s. Internal storage read speed hit 207 MB/s, while write speed was 55 MB/s. The 3DMark Wildlife test could not complete. Instead, the Slingshot Extreme test averaged 7.10 fps. These results were partially limited by the 2GB RAM configuration. With these results it ranks at position 18 on my TV Box Stop ranking chart.

  Gaming on the MEon1

Unfortunately, Android gaming is a weak point. The box uses the standard Google Play Store. Sideloading additional game titles proved difficult. Several popular titles refused to run. Therefore, if gaming is a priority, this may not be the right choice for you.

  Final Verdict

To summarize, the Mecool MEon1 is a well-rounded, fully Google-certified streaming box. It delivers excellent 4K HDR and Dolby Vision performance. The new Mali G310 GPU is a notable upgrade, even if real-world benchmarks didn't fully match expectations. The 2GB RAM is a limitation, and the non-gigabit LAN port may frustrate some users.

Android TV boxes are getting better every year. But every so often, a model comes along that truly stands out. The Ugoos AM9 Pro is that model for 2026. It builds on the popular AM9. However, this upgraded Pro version brings serious hardware improvements. Dolby Vision, LPDDR5 RAM, and a faster CPU are now part of the package. Consequently, it is being called the most advanced Android box Ugoos has ever released. So is it worth your money? Let's break it all down.

What Makes the Ugoos AM9 Pro Different? At first glance, the AM9 Pro looks similar to its predecessor. However, the differences are significant. Three major upgrades set this model apart from the standard AM9. First, it now comes with LPDDR5 RAM. This is faster and more efficient than the LPDDR4X RAM used in the previous model. Second, it features the upgraded Amlogic S905X5-M processor. This chip is clocked at 2.4 GHz and runs in 64-bit mode. Third, and perhaps most exciting, the AM9 Pro now supports Dolby Vision decoding. That is a massive leap forward for Android TV boxes at this price point. Together, these upgrades make the AM9 Pro a genuinely compelling upgrade.

Design and Build Quality The AM9 Pro is built with a metal body. It feels solid and premium in the hand. The Ugoos branding is displayed cleanly at the top. In terms of ports, this box is generously equipped. You get one HDMI 2.1b port, one Gigabit Ethernet LAN port, three USB 3.0 ports, one USB Type-C data port, one optical audio port, and a microSD card reader. Furthermore, there is an auxiliary audio port for added flexibility. At the front, you will find an infrared sensor and an LED indicator. The design is simple. But more importantly, it is functional and well thought out.

Android 14 and the Ugoos Firmware Experience The AM9 Pro runs Android 14. This is a key selling point. Additionally, Ugoos is well known for delivering regular firmware updates. In fact, a firmware update was received immediately upon first connecting to the internet. The firmware is packed with useful features. You get auto framerate switching, advanced HDR settings, button mapping, hardware monitoring, and a Samba server. These are features that many competing brands simply do not offer. Two launchers are available out of the box. Launcher3 is optimized for mouse or air mouse navigation. Meanwhile, ULauncher is Ugoos's custom launcher designed for remote control navigation. Both are fully functional and easy to use.

4K HDR and Dolby Vision Performance This is where the Ugoos AM9 Pro truly shines. The box supports 4K resolution at a true 60 Hz. It also handles a wide range of HDR formats natively. Supported formats include HDR10, HLG, AV1, and now Dolby Vision. Dolby Vision is decoded directly by the hardware. As a result, content looks stunning on compatible displays. Note, however, that HDR10+ is not supported. Content in that format is instead played as standard HDR10.  

For audio, the results are equally impressive. Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and even DTS-X via Kodi are all supported. Therefore, whether you are watching a blockbuster movie or a documentary, audio quality is not a concern.

  Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, and Connectivity Connectivity is strong across the board. The AM9 Pro supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. During testing, the 5 GHz band maxed out at 337 Mbps. Similarly, the 2.4 GHz band reached a solid 136 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port also performed flawlessly. It reached the full maximum speed of the test network. As a result, wired streaming enthusiasts will have nothing to complain about. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.3 is included. The box ships with a Bluetooth voice remote that features an air mouse. Pairing is quick and seamless.

Benchmark Performance and Rankings The Ugoos AM9 Pro was put through several benchmark tests. In Geekbench 5, it scored 266 single-core and 899 multi-core. In the comprehensive Antutu benchmark version 11, it achieved a score of 346,478. At the time of this review, that places it at number 5 on the TV box ranking chart. RAM speed is also noteworthy. The LPDDR5 RAM achieved a copy speed of 6,539 MB/s. Internal storage reads at 201 MB/s and writes at 75 MB/s. These are competitive numbers for the category.

Gaming on the Ugoos AM9 Pro Gaming performance is a mixed story. The Mali G310 GPU does support Vulkan API 1.3 and achieved a 3DMark Wildlife score of 1,266. On paper, that sounds promising. However, in real-world 64-bit gaming, performance is comparable to the older Mali G31. Some 64-bit games even flag the chipset as incompatible. Consequently, this box is not recommended as a primary gaming device. Games that do run perform smoothly. But the GPU remains the one area where improvement is needed. The Mali G57 would have been a better choice.

Root Access and Widevine DRM Root access is available through the built-in Magisk application. Simply enable the root switch in settings, restart the box, and root access is granted. This makes the AM9 Pro highly attractive to power users and tinkerers. However, there is a trade-off. Widevine DRM is rated at Level 3. The previous AM9 model had Level 1 with HDCP 2.3. This means streaming apps like Netflix may not deliver HD or 4K content. Users who rely heavily on certified streaming services should factor this in before purchasing.

Who Should Buy the Ugoos AM9 Pro? The Ugoos AM9 Pro is clearly built for enthusiasts. It is ideal for users who want the latest hardware, Dolby Vision support, and a feature-rich Android experience. Moreover, it is perfect for those who value regular firmware updates and full customization. On the other hand, users who primarily stream Netflix or require Android TV certification may find this model limiting. This box runs the mobile version of Android. Therefore, certified streaming apps are not available by default. Nevertheless, for media playback, Kodi streaming, local file playback, and general Android use, the AM9 Pro is outstanding.