Enter the KinHank K9, the latest flagship model from the renowned KinHank brand. Built on the advanced Amlogic S928X-K chipset, this Android TV box promises top-tier performance with support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, AIPQ, AISR, and HDR10+. Whether you’re streaming 4K content, gaming, or building a smart home entertainment hub, the KinHank K9 aims to deliver it all. In this comprehensive KinHank K9 review, we’ll dive deep into its unboxing, design, UI, firmware features, hardware specs, benchmarks, and real-world performance to help you decide if it’s the ultimate Android TV box for 2025.
Unboxing the KinHank K9: What’s Inside the Box?
The excitement starts right from the unboxing. The KinHank K9 arrives in a sleek, branded package that includes everything you need to get started:
- The KinHank K9 Android TV box itself
- A KinHank-branded Bluetooth voice remote with Google Assistant support
- An HDMI cable (HDMI 2.1 compatible)
- A 12V 2A DC power supply
- A detailed user manual
No unnecessary fillers here—just premium essentials that scream quality. This thoughtful inclusion makes setup a breeze, especially for users new to Android TV boxes.
KinHank K9 Build: Sleek with Innovative Touches
The KinHank K9 features a compact plastic body that’s durable and lightweight. What sets it apart is the innovative RGB LED display on the top panel, visible through a transparent cover. It currently blinks a stylish “K” for KinHank during operation, adding a modern flair. You can customize its behavior in the settings, turning it off or adjusting patterns.
Connectivity is robust on the rear panel:
- HDMI 2.1 port for ultra-high-speed video output
- Gigabit Ethernet LAN for stable wired networking
- Optical audio output for home theater systems
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for peripherals and storage expansion
- 3.5mm audio jack for headphones
- 12V DC input
The front is minimalist with feature labels, while the base includes four rubber feet for stability and ventilation holes to prevent overheating. As an Android TV enthusiast, the subtle innovations like the RGB light breathe fresh air into a market that’s seen repetitive designs for over a decade.
First Boot and Setup: Smooth and Accessible
Powering on the KinHank K9 reveals a vibrant, fast-loading KinHank startup animation—colorful, smooth, and silent. The initial setup wizard guides you through pairing the Bluetooth voice remote (which beeps during pairing for accessibility, aiding visually impaired users) and connecting to Wi-Fi.
This attention to detail makes the K9 one of the most user-friendly Android 11 TV boxes on the market.
KinHank K9 User Interface: Xiao Pai Tech Launcher Shines
The heart of the experience is the Xiao Pai Tech launcher, a custom UI that’s responsive, beautiful, and feature-packed. It supports live wallpaper backgrounds without any lag—a common issue in budget models. The screensaver cycles through stunning real-life painting images, creating an ambient display that’s perfect for leaving the box on as a digital art piece.
Navigation is intuitive:
- Shortcuts bar on the home screen for quick app access
- Scroll down for all installed apps
- Scroll up for a top bar with screen mirroring, Wi-Fi settings, wallpaper options, general settings, and file browser
Running on Android 11 TV OS with developer options enabled, it offers flexibility for power users. You can even switch launcher resolution from 1080p to 4K for compatibility with large TVs.
Firmware Features: Packed with Advanced Options
The KinHank K9’s firmware is a standout, supporting up to 8K resolution (though tested on a 4K 60Hz TV). Key display features include:
- HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision (auto-switching; defaults to HDR if unsupported)
- Up to 12-bit color depth
- AI upscaling (AIPQ and AISR) for enhanced visuals
- Auto framerate switching with per-app customization
- Advanced color settings and HDMI CEC control
- RGB light customization, screensaver timer, and sleep settings
- Only 12 languages, but comprehensive network sharing via CloudDrive2, SAMBA server, and DLNA server
- One-click memory cleanup
- Sound options: Exclusive HDMI/USB output, selectable sources (HDMI, optical, 3.5mm), and auto/forced surround sound with Dolby/DTS manual selection
These features make the K9 ideal for 4K streaming boxes and home theater setups.
Hardware Specs: Amlogic S928X-K Delivers Power
Under the hood, the Amlogic S928X-K chipset powers the show:
- Quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU at 2.0GHz (32-bit mode)
- Mali-G57 MP2 GPU (upgrade from Mali-G31) with OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan 1.1
- 4GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB internal storage
- Wi-Fi 6 dual-band and Bluetooth 5.2
- Idle temperature: 53°C (excellent thermal management)
- Decoders: AV1, HEVC, Dolby Vision for video; Dolby Atmos EAC3/AC4, DTS HD for audio
DRM: Google Widevine L1 with HDCP 2.3 for HD/4K on Netflix, Prime Video, etc. (no official Netflix ESN, but modified apps yield 1080p).
Multimedia Performance: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and More
YouTube playback hits true 4K HDR 60fps at 2160p viewport. Video testing shows:
- Auto HDR10 via VLC (with Dolby Atmos/DTS)
- Auto Dolby Vision via Nova Player
- Support for AV1, HDR10+, HLG
- All Dolby/DTS formats passthrough to AV receivers (recommend VLC for self-hosted files)
This makes the K9 a beast for Dolby Vision Android boxes.
Gaming and Benchmarks: Impressive for Android TV
Gaming is solid, though limited by Android TV compatibility (sideloading helps). Benchmarks:
- RAM copy: 17,568 MB/s
- Storage: 157 MB/s read, 146 MB/s write
- Wi-Fi 6 (5GHz): 300 Mbps; 2.4GHz: 173 Mbps; Gigabit LAN: 300 Mbps
- Geekbench 5: 408 single-core, 750 multi-core
- 3DMark: 1059 score, 6.34 FPS average
- Antutu v11: 343,735 (ranks #5 on performance charts)
Earns a 4/5 star rating for hardware and features.
Pros and Cons of the KinHank K9
Pros:
- Premium chipset and multimedia support
- Customizable UI and innovative design
- Excellent benchmarks and thermals
- Google certified (minus Netflix ESN)
Cons:
- No official Netflix 4K
- Limited to 12 languages
- Android TV gaming restrictions
Final Verdict: Best KinHank Model Yet
The KinHank K9 is KinHank’s finest Android TV box, perfect for Black Friday and holiday shopping. It’s a fully Google-certified device with Dolby Vision support, blazing performance, and thoughtful features. Grab it via affiliate links for the lowest prices and discounts—stocks won’t last!
For comparisons, check the full benchmark chart in the description. Support the channel by purchasing through links; it helps review more best Android TV boxes 2025.