Ugoos has returned to the spotlight with their latest hardware release, the Ugoos SK4 Pro, a device designed to build on the successful foundation of the original SK4 model. I have long regarded this brand as a premier choice for high-performance Android TV hardware, and this updated model attempts to raise the performance ceiling through refined internal components.
Buyers can find this box on major importing platforms like AliExpress, where Ugoos products typically maintain a premium yet highly competitive market position compared to basic generic media players.
My testing phase focused heavily on evaluating the new hardware revisions, specifically looking at how the updated processing units translate to real-world media playback and system navigation.
Unboxing and Physical Build Quality
Inside the retail package, the contents remain consistent with what the brand supplied in the previous generation. Unboxing the unit reveals the SK4 Pro media box itself, a single Bluetooth air mouse voice remote control, an HDMI cable, a 12V 1A DC power adapter, and a standard user manual. These accessories provide everything necessary to begin using the player immediately without requiring additional hardware purchases.
The physical chassis is constructed from plastic and closely resembles its predecessor, though the glossy top surface now features an intricate 3D pattern. This textured aesthetic can occasionally cause visual distortion, meaning individuals sensitive to visually induced motion sickness should exercise caution when handling or looking closely at the unit. Apart from this optical design change, the footprint remains compact and unobtrusive on a media shelf.
Looking at the input and output options reveals one HDMI 2.1 B port, an optical audio port, a barrel-type 12V power socket, one USB Type-C port, and a USB 2.0 port. Disappointingly, the physical network connection is limited to a non-gigabit Ethernet port, which feels like a missed opportunity on a premium pro-tier model. The front panel does feature a clear LED status light, while the base houses four sturdy rubber feet but lacks any physical ventilation cutouts.
Interface and Launcher Options
Powering up the device initiates a custom Ugoos boot animation before guiding you through the automatic pairing process for the included Bluetooth remote control. Once completed, the system prompts you to select between two distinct home screens, namely Launcher 3 or the proprietary Ugoos Launcher. I selected Launcher 3 for my primary demonstration because of its versatility and seamless integration with standard navigation tools.
Utilizing Launcher 3 provides a clean layout that mirrors a standard mobile Android environment rather than the restricted Android TV interface. Choosing this interface allows you to use familiar touchscreen gestures such as drag-and-drop icon placement, horizontal page scrolling, and an accessible navigation bar equipped with a recent apps viewer. This layout is particularly convenient when navigating with physical mouse cursors or air mouse controllers.
Connecting the box to the internet immediately triggers an over-the-air firmware update, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to ongoing software support. My test unit received two consecutive updates back-to-back during initial configuration, confirming that the manufacturer actively refines the user experience and patches issues post-launch. This level of software maintenance is incredibly rare in the Android box market and remains a primary reason I recommend their hardware.
Hardware Specs and Under the Hood Performance
Examining the internal specifications reveals that the device runs on a mobile version of Android 14, providing a flexible operating system base. Processing power relies on the quad-core Amlogic S905X5M CPU, which features Cortex A55 cores running at a maximum clock speed of 2.51 GHz in a 32-bit configuration. Memory management is handled by 4GB of fast DDR5 RAM paired with 64GB of onboard storage for your applications and system files.
Graphics tasks are delegated to the single-core Mali G310 GPU, which supports modern rendering standards including OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan 1.3. Wireless connectivity is powered by a Realtek RTL 8852 Wi-Fi 6 AX module, offering reliable dual-band performance over both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Thermal monitoring during idle periods shows stable performance with operating temperatures hovering around 49°C, which translates to roughly 120°F.
Deep system customization is accessible directly through the settings menu, including advanced features like Root access via Magisk and Samba server configuration. Users can also take advantage of built-in features like a customizable button mapper for the remote, screen rotation controls, and an adjustable floating hardware monitor widget. These tools allow power users to fine-tune system performance and monitor resource utilization in real time.
Audio and Video Decoder Capabilities
Video performance on this hardware is highly versatile, boasting native support for 4K resolution across HDR10, HLG, and modern AV1 codecs. Crucially, this pro model features Google Widevine L1 certification with HDCP 2.3 protection, enabling high-definition playback on protected streaming platforms. You should note that HDR10 Plus content is not natively supported and will automatically fall back to standard HDR10 during playback.
Audio capabilities are equally robust, supporting passthrough via HDMI for high-end surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS HD Master Audio, and DTS-X. Utilizing the optical audio output, however, limits the audio transmission strictly to basic PCM stereo output, making an HDMI-capable receiver highly recommended. Testing raw m2ts DVD rips yielded surprisingly smooth results without any visible stuttering or audio sync issues.
Activating low-latency 12-bit Dolby Vision settings in the video menu ensures that your compatible television correctly triggers adaptive dynamic range features. A television lacking Dolby Vision or HDR support will cause these specific configuration options to remain hidden inside the system settings. This automatic detection prevents users from accidentally misconfiguring their video output and degrading their overall picture quality.
Gaming Performance and Graphics Capabilities
Mobile gaming enthusiasts should be aware that Android TV boxes lack direct touchscreen interfaces, which changes how you interact with modern games. Successful gameplay requires setting up a dedicated third-party gamepad key-mapping application, such as the now-free Panda Gamepad Pro tools, which rely on wireless ADB activation. Once configured, you can map physical controller buttons directly to virtual on-screen touchpoints.
Graphic rendering on this updated Mali G310 V2 silicon does not show a noticeable real-world speed improvement over older generation graphic processing units. My evaluation confirms that the “V2” suffix on this graphic chip does not elevate gaming frame rates, meaning gameplay experiences remain largely identical to the standard SK4. This unit handles casual gaming well, but it should not be purchased primarily as a high-end console replacement.
Benchmark Real-World Testing Results
Synthetic benchmarking provides concrete numbers on the actual speed of the memory and storage subsystems. The DDR5 RAM achieved a copying speed of 4480 MB/s, while the internal flash storage posted respectable numbers with a 237 MB/s read speed and a 96 MB/s write speed. These speeds ensure that applications launch quickly and system operations feel snappy during multitasking.
Network performance testing showed that the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band easily saturated my local bandwidth limits, while the 2.4 GHz band delivered a highly stable average of 158 Mbps. Physical network speeds over the non-gigabit Ethernet port maxed out near 90 Mbps, which is a limiting factor for heavy local network streaming. Users streaming massive 4K blu-ray rips across a local network should rely on the Wi-Fi 6 connection rather than the physical LAN port.
Processor benchmarks on Geekbench 5 yielded a single-core score of 196 and a multi-core score of 688, while 3DMark returned a graphic score of 616 with an average frame rate of 3.69 FPS. Finally, running the Antutu benchmark version 11 resulted in a total score of 255,937, cementing its position as a solid mid-range performer. Comparing these metrics to the previous model shows that raw processing power remains relatively unchanged, with the true upgrades living in the licensing and decoding sectors.
Final Thoughts — Price & Value
This hardware upgrade brings significant value through its enhanced software licensing and decoders rather than raw computing horsepower. The addition of Google Widevine L1, HDCP 2.3, and robust DTS/Dolby audio decoding justifies the investment for media center enthusiasts who prioritize high-fidelity streaming. While the physical processing performance remains highly similar to the standard model, the added compliance features represent a major leap forward for official streaming support.
Prospective buyers searching on AliExpress will find a well-supported Android box that outpaces generic competitors through consistent firmware updates and premium software options. Choosing this model secures a polished media player experience, even if the non-gigabit LAN port and lateral gaming performance prevent it from achieving absolute perfection. I find the Ugoos SK4 Pro to be a highly capable, reliable, and premium choice for demanding home theater setups.
