A 2024 Ugoos SK1 TV Box Review
Today, I dive into the latest Ugoos release, the Ugoos SK1 TV Box. This model has been highly anticipated, and it’s easy to see why. Ugoos has built a reputation for producing some of the best Android boxes in the industry, and the SK1 is no exception. So buckle up, because this might just be the best Android box of 2024. Let’s dive into the details.
What’s in the Box?
First things first, let’s see what comes with the Ugoos SK1 TV Box. The box includes the following:
- The Ugoos SK1 TV Box, which looks fantastic with its glossy dark blue and black plastic housing.
- A Bluetooth remote (UR02 model) with a user guide.
- An HDMI cable.
- A 12V 2A DC power adapter.
- A user manual.
The design of the SK1 is sleek and modern. The Ugoos branding sits on the top, and the front features a customizable LED indicator strip. Below the strip, you’ll find premium features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS HD, and 8K HDMI display printed on the front. The back of the box houses the I/O ports, which include:
- One HDMI 2.1 port.
- A gigabit LAN port.
- An optical audio port.
- One USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 port.
- A headphone audio jack.
- A 12V DC input socket.
The bottom of the box has four anti-skid rubber feet with ventilation holes at the edges, ensuring stability and cooling during operation.
Ugoos SK1 Setup and Features
Setting up the Ugoos SK1 is straightforward. The boot-up process is similar to other Ugoos models, starting with a simple Ugoos animation. You then pair the Bluetooth remote and choose between two launchers: the Ugoos launcher, designed for navigation with a directional pad and OK button, and Launcher3, which is better suited for mouse navigation.
The Bluetooth remote (UR02 model) is an air mouse with voice command features and customizable shortcut keys, which you can set up in the box’s settings.
Exploring the Hardware
Now, let’s talk about what’s under the hood. The Ugoos SK1 runs on Android 11 and comes with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 128GB of eMMC internal storage. This is double the RAM of your standard Android box. The CPU is an Amlogic S928X-K, a Penta Core CPU with a quad-core Cortex A55 clocked at 2.0 GHz and a single-core Cortex A76 clocked at 1.8 GHz. This setup gives the SK1 a total of five cores, running in 32-bit mode with support for only 32-bit apps and games.
The GPU is a Mali G57 MC2, which powers the display and supports OpenGL ES 3.2. The network adapter is a T2TR Wi-Fi 6 model, providing dual-band 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz AX Wi-Fi. The box also has Bluetooth 5.2.
One of the standout features of the Ugoos SK1 is its display capabilities. It supports up to 8K UHD (7680 × 4320p) resolution. However, since I don’t have an 8K television, the maximum it will display on my TV is 4K (2160p) at 60 Hz. You can also adjust the display settings, such as HDR and Dolby Vision, and choose from options like Adaptive HDR, Adaptive Dolby Vision, and SDR.
For those using vertically-oriented monitors for platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram, the SK1 comes with built-in screen rotation and orientation settings. You can lock the orientation in place or set it to change dynamically based on the app’s requirements.
Advanced Audio and Display Settings
The Ugoos SK1 offers a range of advanced audio settings. You can choose whether you want audio output via HDMI, optical audio, or both simultaneously. There are also options to enable system sounds and allow apps to control the box’s main volume.
For surround sound enthusiasts, the box supports all major surround sound audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby AC4, and DTS HD. You can also enable audio over USB, which is useful for USB audio adapters and external sound cards.
In terms of display, you can customize the recent apps feature, adjust the visibility of the navigation bar and status bar, and even change the position and color of the volume bar. The SK1 also includes a hardware monitor feature, allowing you to monitor almost every aspect of the box’s hardware.
Customization and User Interface
Customization is a strong suit of the Ugoos SK1. You can switch between multiple launchers, adjust UI speed, and change the size of the mouse cursor. The box also includes HDMI CEC options, a button mapper app, and various USB settings.
For those interested in root access, the SK1 comes with a root switch via the Magisk app. By enabling this feature and restarting the box, you can gain root access, allowing you to customize the box even further.
Entertainment Capabilities
When it comes to entertainment, the Ugoos SK1 does not disappoint. You can install any version of YouTube and play videos in 4K (2160p) with HDR. However, I did encounter an issue with mobile screen mirroring using Miracast, which Ugoos will need to address in a future update.
If you’re into gaming, the SK1 handles 3D gaming with ease, thanks to its Mali G57 GPU and Vulkan support. During my tests, I played games like Shadowgun Legends, Shadow Fight 4, and Call of Duty Mobile on max settings without any throttling or overheating. The box maintained a stable temperature of around 60°C, even under heavy load.
For video playback, the Ugoos SK1 excels in processing 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and AV1 video formats. It also supports all major surround sound audio formats, making it an excellent choice for home theater setups.
Benchmarks and Performance
In terms of benchmarks, the Ugoos SK1 performs admirably. Its 8GB of DDR4 RAM clocked a maximum of 17,601 MB/s in the A1 SD bench app. The 128GB of internal storage has a read speed of 112 MB/s and a write speed of 173 MB/s. These results are comparable to the Ugoos AM8 model.
The SK1’s Wi-Fi 6 adapter delivered excellent speeds, with the 5 GHz band clocking the maximum speed of my 315 Mbps network. The 2.4 GHz band averaged around 192 Mbps, and the gigabit LAN port also achieved the maximum speed.
In CPU performance, the SK1 scored 411 in the single-core test and 757 in the multi-core test on Geekbench 5. The Mali G57 GPU qualified for the 3DMark Gamers Benchmark Wildlife test, scoring 1064 with an average FPS of 6.37. In the comprehensive Antutu Benchmark (version 10), the SK1 scored 309,177.
On my updated TV Box rank chart, the SK1 ranks at position number 5, right between the AM8 and AM8 Pro models. I give it a four out of five-star rating for its hardware performance and firmware features.
Final Thoughts on the Ugoos SK1 TV Box
In summary, the Ugoos SK1 is another top-tier model that builds on the success of the AM8. It includes Google Widevine Level 1 with HDCP 2.3 protection, ensuring that you can stream content in HD or 4K from services that don’t require a separate Netflix ESN license.
The SK1 delivers high benchmarks, smooth 4K Dolby Vision video playback, immersive surround sound audio, and impressive 3D gaming performance—all without overheating. Its sleek design, LED lighting, and Bluetooth air mouse remote add a premium feel to the already impressive package.
The only downside I noticed is the lack of additional USB ports and an SD card slot. But overall, the Ugoos SK1 is a fantastic Android box that I’m happy to endorse as one of the best options for 2024.
If you’re interested in getting your hands on the Ugoos SK1, you can find it on Amazon for around $245 and on AliExpress for around $209. I’ve placed links in the description below, which are affiliate links that help support the channel.
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