Discover the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box: A Full Review
Today, we’re diving into the world of Google-certified TV boxes. Specifically, we’ll be exploring the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box. This model was launched last year and has recently entered the U.S. market. Though you won’t find it on Amazon yet, it’s available on platforms like eBay and Etsy, thanks to DjelfaSolutions, a long-time sponsor of the channel.
Let’s dive into the hardware, features, and overall performance of the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box. But first, let’s look at the packaging.
What’s in the Box?
When you purchase the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box, you’ll receive several essential items:
- The LEAP-S4 model (the fourth generation in the Leap line)
- A Bluetooth remote featuring Google Assistant, which is now a standard requirement for these models
- A pair of AAA batteries to power the remote
- A standard HDMI cable
- A 12V 1A DC power adapter
- A user manual
The box has a simple, all-plastic design, giving it a sturdy feel thanks to a substantial heatsink inside. It has a Skyworth logo on top, and around the back, you’ll find the I/O ports. This includes:
- 1 HDMI 2.1 port
- 1 Gigabit LAN port
- 1 optical audio port
- 1 AV port
- DC power socket
On the side, there are more ports:
- 1 USB 3.0 port
- 1 USB 2.0 port
- 1 micro-SD card reader
Lastly, the front sports a power LED strip, while the base has four rubber feet to keep it stable, but no ventilation holes.
First-Time Setup
When you power up the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box, the first thing you’ll see is a simple Skyworth splash screen. This is followed by the Android TV OS startup wizard, where you’ll:
- Pair the Bluetooth remote.
- Log into your Google account.
- Program the remote to control your TV’s power and volume.
During setup, you’ll notice that the TV box runs Android 11 TV OS. It also features Netflix ESN licensing, allowing you to stream in 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The firmware also includes auto HDR and auto Dolby Vision, which automatically adjust based on your TV’s capabilities. If your TV only supports HDR, the box will switch accordingly.
Streaming Services and Audio
One of the standout features of the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box is its compatibility with major streaming services. Thanks to its Google Widevine Level 1 DRM protection and HDCP 2.3, you can watch Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more in full 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
The audio settings are flexible, allowing for auto surround sound detection or manual adjustment. To get the best out of surround sound formats, you’ll want to set the audio to auto. The box also supports HDMI CEC, so you can control both your TV and the box with a single remote.
For surround sound enthusiasts, the device supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Surround audio. However, DTS formats are not available, which may be a drawback for some users.
Hardware and Performance
The Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box is built with solid hardware specs for its price range. It runs on the Amlogic S905X4 processor, a quad-core Cortex A55 processor clocked at 2.0 GHz. It comes with 2GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal storage. For graphics, the box uses the Mali G31 GPU with OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan API 1.1 support.
On the connectivity side, the box offers Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band Wi-Fi, supporting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. However, the LAN port didn’t deliver true Gigabit speeds in testing, reaching only around 94 Mbps, which is lower than expected.
Media Playback
For watching YouTube videos, the default Android TV app supports up to 4K 2160p at 60Hz with HDR. However, there’s a limitation—videos are cropped into a 1080p frame because the launcher resolution maxes out at 1080p. If you want a better YouTube experience, you can use the Smart YouTube TV APK, which allows for more control over formats like VP9 and AV1.
When it comes to playing self-hosted 4K HDR and Dolby Vision videos, Kodi is the best media player for triggering these features. I tried MX Player and VLC, but they didn’t work as well. Using Kodi, you can watch videos in formats like:
- HDR10
- AV1
- Dolby Vision (with and without Dolby Atmos)
- HDR10 Plus
- HLG
Unfortunately, surround sound is limited to Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Surround.
Gaming on the Skyworth LEAP-S4
As far as gaming goes, the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box isn’t designed for high-end gaming. Its 2GB RAM and limited Google Play Store options restrict you to lightweight games. Some high-end games may not even install, and those that do may not perform well. However, smaller games run smoothly and with high graphics.
Benchmarks and Performance Tests
Here are some of the benchmark results I gathered for the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box:
- RAM copy speed: 3590 MB/s
- Internal storage read speed: 128 MB/s
- Internal storage write speed: 63 MB/s
- Wi-Fi (5 GHz): Maximum bandwidth reached
- Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz): Around 57 Mbps
- LAN speed: Around 94 Mbps (not Gigabit)
In Geekbench 5, the box scored 154 for single-core performance and 470 for multi-core. The 3DMark Wildlife test crashed due to memory issues, but the Slingshot test yielded a score of 598 with an average fps of 1.70. On Antutu version 10, the device scored 135,331. With these scores it around hi on my TV box ranking chart at position 13 at the time of writing this review.
Final Thoughts on the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box
To sum it all up, the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box is a solid, budget-friendly device designed for streaming. It’s not meant for gaming, but it excels at delivering Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Max in HD and 4K with Dolby Vision. While there are some firmware kinks to iron out—especially in the areas of 4K video playback and surround sound—it offers a good experience for the price.
Thanks for sticking around for this review! If you’re interested in purchasing the Skyworth LEAP-S4 TV Box, check out DjelfaSolutions on eBay or Etsy. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more tech reviews.
