Superbox S6 Max TV Box Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
With the latest release from Superbox—the Superbox S6 Max TV Box, this streaming box has caught a lot of attention, especially with the ongoing disappearance of alternative live TV apps. Superbox remains strong with their Blue TV and Blue VOD apps, making it a top choice for many streamers.
In this post, I’ll delve into the latest features of the Superbox S6 Max. Furthermore, I’ll guide you through its capabilities, such as the innovative timeshift function that allows you to rewind and fast-forward live TV content. Let’s begin!
What’s Inside the Box?
When you open up the Superbox S6 Max, you’ll find:
- The S6 Max model itself
- A Bluetooth voice remote
- An HDMI cable
- A 5V 2A DC power adapter
- A user guide
Although the design has remained relatively unchanged from previous models, the box still boasts a sleek aluminum body with Superbox branding.If you’ve used earlier models, you’ll feel right at home.
Here’s a quick overview of the ports and connections on the S6 Max:
- HDMI
- Ethernet LAN
- Optical audio
- IR extender
- AV port
- DC input socket
- Two external antennas (at the rear)
On the side, you’ve got:
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports
- A reset button
- A microSD card reader
The front features an LED display, and there’s a plastic film on the display when you first open it. Beneath the device, you’ll find anti-skid rubber feet and ventilation holes to keep it cool.
Setting Up the Superbox S6 Max TV Box
Initially, the startup process is quite simple. First, you’ll see the familiar Superbox animation, then a disclaimer will appear.
Moreover, the disclaimer reminds you that the box is essentially an empty entertainment device, and you’re responsible for the content you stream on it.
No Preinstalled Apps: What to Do?
The Superbox S6 Max TV Box can be used like any other Android TV box, but its price suggests that it has something special. In addition to offering access to thousands of live TV channels and video-on-demand (VOD) content, however, the legitimacy of these streams varies by region, so do your research.
In order to unlock these features, you must first install an APK app store. Then, from there, you can install apps like Blue TV, Blue VOD, and Blue Playback. For instance, I installed these apps for the purpose of demonstration, and these apps are the primary reason for the high price tag of the Superbox S6 Max.
Exploring Blue TV, Blue VOD, and Blue Playback
Now, let’s dive into what each app offers.
Blue TV App
With the Blue TV app, you get access to a whopping 1,692 channels! What’s more, these channels are categorized by network TV, local and regional channels, international sports, 24/7 channels, pay-per-view events, music channels, and channels from Canada, Latin America, the Philippines, and more.
One of the most notable features here is timeshift. Channels with a yellow icon next to them support this feature. Consequently, you can rewind and fast-forward up to eight hours, preventing you from missing any content.
Blue VOD App
For movies and TV series, the Blue VOD app is the go-to destination. Moreover, it boasts a vast library of over 13,812 titles spanning diverse genres such as action, adventure, comedy, drama, horror, sci-fi, and more. Additionally, the user-friendly interface facilitates effortless browsing through the extensive content.
Blue Playback App
The Blue Playback app is similar to timeshift but works on a bigger scale. It allows you to replay the last seven days of programming on select channels—about 85 channels in total. It’s a great feature if you missed something important and want to catch up.
Picture and Sound Quality
All channels, movies, and TV shows on the Superbox S6 Max TV Box stream in HD. In fact, the quality is so good that it’s often better than your regular TV provider’s source.
For 4K content, the S6 Max supports up to 2160p at 60Hz. It also features HDR10 and HLG (though it doesn’t support AV1 or Dolby Vision). However, if you’re into Netflix, you might be disappointed to learn that it’s restricted to 480p resolution due to the lack of a Netflix ESN license.
The Superbox S6 Max also comes with audio passthrough. It doesn’t have built-in surround sound decoders, but if you have an external sound system, you can get high-quality audio with formats like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS Virtual X.
Remote Control and Mirroring
One cool feature of the Bluetooth remote is voice search. In addition to finding content and controlling your box, you can also use Google Assistant. However, remember that the remote must be paired via Bluetooth for this feature to work.
You can also mirror your mobile screen to the TV using Miracast. This works great for watching content from your phone in HD. However, the box does not support casting from apps like Netflix and YouTube.
Superbox S6 Max Performance and Benchmarks
The Superbox S6 Max TV Box, powered by the Allwinner H616 processor, boasts 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. Moreover, the Mali G31 GPU ensures smooth graphics performance. Finally, the device runs on Android 12 for a seamless user experience.
The benchmarks indicate decent performance. In fact, it’s not a gaming powerhouse, but for streaming and everyday use, it does the job. Here are some of the benchmark results:
- RAM speed: 2,924 MB/s
- Read speed: 125 MB/s
- Write speed: 64 MB/s
- Geekbench CPU score: 107 (single-core), 384 (multicore)
- 3DMark Wildlife test: 128 with 0.80 fps (not great for gaming)
Wi-Fi and Network Performance
The S6 Max boasts Wi-Fi 6 technology, resulting in faster and more stable connections. Consequently, in terms of network performance, it outperforms its predecessors.To illustrate its capabilities, here’s how it performed with a 315 Mbps internet speed:
- 5 GHz band: 115 Mbps
- 2.4 GHz band: 28 Mbps
- Gigabit LAN port: 315 Mbps (maximum network speed)
Superbox S6 Max Pros and Cons: Is It Worth It?
So, what do I think about the Superbox S6 Max TV Box? Not only is it not your average Android box, but it also boasts an impressive timeshift feature and a vast selection of live channels and VOD content. In essence, if you’re seeking a comprehensive entertainment hub, this device could be the perfect choice.
However, at $359, it’s not cheap. But with the included discount coupons, you can shave off 10–30% of that price. Compared to other streaming services, the value of the Blue TV, Blue VOD, and Blue Playback apps may determine if it’s worth it.
If you’re in the market for a high-quality streaming device and you don’t mind paying a bit more for added features, then the Superbox S6 Max TV Box could be a solid investment.
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