The Ugoos AM9 is the latest high-end Android TV box featuring the brand-new Amlogic S905X5 chipset. Ugoos is well-known for delivering top-tier hardware and firmware, and this model continues that tradition. The review focuses on design, connectivity, firmware features, video playback, surround sound formats, gaming performance, and benchmark results.
Unboxing the Ugoos AM9
Inside the box, you’ll find the AM9 unit, a Bluetooth voice remote with air mouse, two Wi-Fi 6 antennas, HDMI cable, 5V 3A power adapter, USB Type-C PD cable, and a user manual. The metal chassis remains unchanged from previous models, offering durability and premium feel.
Ports and Connectivity
The Ugoos AM9 offers HDMI 2.1, 1Gb LAN, optical audio, 3.5mm aux, USB-C OTG, USB-C PD, three USB 3.0 ports, and a microSD card reader. Dual external antennas ensure strong Wi-Fi 6 performance, while the base includes ventilation and reset buttons.
First Boot and Interface Options
On startup, you pair the Bluetooth remote, then choose between Launcher3 and Ulauncher. Launcher3 is mouse-friendly, supports drag-and-drop shortcuts, and includes a navigation and status bar with customizable recent apps views.
Ugoos AM9 Firmware Features
The firmware supports 4K at true 60Hz, adjustable frame buffer for native 4K launcher resolution, HDR settings (HDR10, HLG), custom picture modes, auto frame rate switching, HDMI CEC, button mapping, USB speed control, hardware monitor overlays, and UI animation tweaks.
Root access is possible via Magisk with a simple toggle. Power options allow locking CPU/GPU to max performance. Audio settings support Dolby and DTS decoding, with manual format enabling for surround sound. Network options include Samba, NFS, and CIFS.
Ugoos AM9 Security and Updates
Ugoos consistently delivers firmware updates. During testing, a new update added Samba server support. A malware scan with Bitdefender showed no threats out of the box.
System and Hardware Specs
The AM9 features 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB storage, Bluetooth 5.3, and Wi-Fi 6. The quad-core Cortex-A510 CPU runs up to 2.4GHz in 64-bit mode, paired with a Mali-G310 GPU supporting Vulkan 1.3 and OpenGL ES 3.2.
It supports HEVC, AV1, VP9 4K HDR decoding but lacks Dolby Vision and HDR10+. DRM is Widevine L1 without HDCP.
Ugoos AM9 Video Playback
4K HDR10 and HLG playback works flawlessly. AV1 triggers HDR10, while Dolby Vision and HDR10+ videos fall back to HDR10 or HLG. Despite not listing DTS-HD support, real-world testing confirmed DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS:X output to compatible receivers.
Surround Sound Performance
The AM9 supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X. Formats must be enabled manually in settings for full compatibility with AV receivers.
Ugoos AM9 Gaming Performance
Gaming performance surpasses the S905X4 but is slightly below the S922X. While the higher CPU clock and better GPU improve 60Hz 1080p gaming, the 4GB RAM limits certain high-end 64-bit games. Vulkan and OpenGL ES 3.2 enhance compatibility and visuals.
Benchmark Results
RAM speed: 6636 MB/s
Storage speeds: 232 MB/s read, 125 MB/s write
Wi-Fi 6 & Ethernet: Max network speed at 300 Mbps (5GHz & LAN), 65 Mbps on 2.4GHz
CPU scores: 274 single-core, 796 multi-core (beats most S922X models in multi-core)
GPU 3DMark score: 1244 (highest recorded on this channel)
Antutu score: 271,107 — ranking 11th overall on the reviewer’s chart
Strengths of the Ugoos AM9
Latest Amlogic S905X5 chipset with strong CPU/GPU performance
Extensive firmware customization and root switch option
True 4K 60Hz support with advanced HDR controls
Broad surround sound format compatibility, including DTS:X
Consistent firmware updates and security checks
Excellent 3DMark GPU performance
Weaknesses of the Ugoos AM9
No Dolby Vision or HDR10+ support
Limited to 4GB RAM, restricting some 64-bit gaming potential
Antutu ranking not at the very top despite strong performance
Final Verdict on the Ugoos AM9
The Ugoos AM9 is a premium Android TV box with powerful hardware, rich firmware features, and excellent connectivity. It excels in HDR10 and HLG video playback, supports high-quality surround sound, and offers extensive customization options. While it lacks Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and the 4GB RAM limits extreme gaming, it remains one of the best-balanced Android TV boxes for 2025.
If you value performance, features, and frequent updates, the Ugoos AM9 is an excellent choice in its category.