SuperBox S6 Max

SuperBox S6 Max Review: Brilliant Android TV Box

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An in-depth review of the SuperBox S6 Max Android TV box, covering its features, performance, and capabilities for streaming entertainment.

Introducing the SuperBox S6 Max

The world of streaming entertainment devices is constantly evolving, and the SuperBox S6 Max has emerged as a strong contender in the market. This Android TV box offers a range of features designed to enhance your viewing experience, including the innovative timeshift function and playback capabilities. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the device’s hardware, software, and overall performance to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your entertainment needs.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Upon opening the SuperBox S6 Max package, you’ll find:

  • The SuperBox S6 Max Android TV box
  • A remote control
  • A user guide
  • A power adapter
  • An HDMI cable

The device itself boasts a full metal body construction with an eye-catching blue finish. The polished chrome borders add a touch of elegance to the overall design. On the top, you’ll find the SuperBox brand name prominently displayed, while the front features the S6 Max model designation and an LED display panel.

Ports and Connectivity

The SuperBox S6 Max offers a variety of ports for connectivity:

  • MicroSD card slot
  • USB 3.0 port
  • USB 2.0 port
  • Restore pinhole (for device reset)
  • DC IN power port
  • IR port
  • AV port
  • HDMI out port
  • LAN ethernet port
  • SPDIF digital audio port

Two adjustable antennas are located at the back of the device, allowing users to optimize Wi-Fi signal reception. The bottom of the unit features four anti-skid rubberized feet for stability and additional ventilation holes.

Remote Control

The included remote control is well-designed with a range of standard buttons, including:

  • Dedicated TV control buttons
  • A mouse cursor button
  • A voice control button

The remote has a velvety, smooth texture and requires two AAA batteries to operate. Pairing and programming instructions are conveniently etched on the back of the remote.

Setting Up the SuperBox S6 Max

Setting up the SuperBox S6 Max is a straightforward process:

  1. Connect the power adapter and HDMI cable from the Android box to your display (TV or monitor).
  2. Turn on the power.
  3. Wait for the Android splash screen (approximately 35 seconds).
  4. Agree to the Disclaimer Notice.
  5. Choose your connection method (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
  6. Adjust the screen display using the remote control.
  7. Click “Finish” to load the SuperBox home screen.

User Interface and Navigation

The SuperBox S6 Max features an intuitive and user-friendly interface. The home screen displays large tile-like icons for various functions, including:

  • Live TV
  • VOD (Video on Demand)
  • Playback
  • Six customizable app shortcuts

Additional icons provide access to:

  • Android system settings and device preferences
  • File manager
  • One-click system optimizer
  • Browser-based internet speed test
  • App uninstaller
  • Remote control pairing for voice control
  • App shortcuts for number keys on the remote
  • SuperBox customer service contact details

Also Check: Andbox H618: Best Android TV Box for Streaming

Hardware Specifications

The SuperBox S6 Max boasts impressive hardware specifications:

  • CPU: Allwinner H313/H616 (4-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor)
  • GPU: Single-core ARM Mali-G31
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 64GB
  • Bluetooth: Version 4
  • Android Version: 12 (API level 31)
  • Rooted device

The Mali-G31 integrated graphics processing unit supports the Vulkan API, enabling low-overhead, cross-platform 3D graphics and computing.

Software and App Ecosystem

The SuperBox S6 Max runs on Android 12, providing access to the Google Play Store and a wide variety of Android apps. Users can install numerous entertainment apps, including both paid subscription services and free streaming options.

While the device doesn’t come with pre-installed entertainment apps, users can easily download and install their preferred streaming services. The review process included testing four main apps:

  1. Blue TV (Live TV)
  2. Blue VOD (Movies and TV Shows)
  3. Playback
  4. Backup TV

Blue TV App

The Blue TV app offers access to over 1,700 live TV channels. Key features include:

  • Fast channel loading times
  • Current TV program information display
  • Easy navigation between channels and channel groups
  • Favorite channel bookmarking
  • Time Shift function for supported channels

Blue VOD App

The Blue VOD app provides a vast library of movies and TV shows. Notable features include:

  • Tabs for Recommended, Newest, Movies, and TV Series
  • History tracking for unfinished content
  • Favorite bookmarking
  • Search functionality with multiple criteria
  • Genre-based navigation for both movies and TV series

Playback App

The Playback app allows users to access past 7 days of shows for 86 TV channels, making it easy to catch up on missed programs.

Backup TV App

The Backup TV app serves as an alternative to the main apps, offering live TV channels, movies, and VOD content with a slightly different interface.

Time-shift Function

One of the standout features of the SuperBox S6 Max is the new Time-shift function, available on 122 channels. This feature allows users to instantly access and watch any program from the past 8 hours with a single press on the remote control.

Video Playback Performance

The SuperBox S6 Max demonstrates excellent performance when playing 4K video files. Local 4K content plays smoothly without any issues, making it an ideal choice for users who enjoy high-quality video playback.

Web Browsing

Google Chrome comes pre-installed on the SuperBox S6 Max, offering a familiar browsing experience for many users. While other browsers are available through the Google Play Store, they may not be as well-known or widely used.

Gaming Performance

The SuperBox S6 Max can handle some 3D games, as demonstrated by the playable performance of Riptide GP2. However, it’s worth noting that the device is not optimized for heavy 3D gaming, and graphic rendering may not be as smooth as dedicated gaming consoles or high-end smartphones.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

  1. Extensive live TV channel selection
  2. Large library of movies and TV shows
  3. User-friendly interface
  4. Smooth 4K local video playback
  5. Time-shift function for supported channels
  6. Customizable app shortcuts

Limitations

  1. Difficulty installing YouTube from Google Play
  2. Lack of DRM security level support for HD or 4K Netflix playback
  3. Limited availability of common internet browsers
  4. Not optimized for heavy 3D gaming

Conclusion

The SuperBox S6 Max is a powerful Android TV box that offers an impressive array of features for streaming enthusiasts. Its extensive channel lineup, vast VOD library, and innovative Time-shift function make it a compelling choice for those looking to enhance their home entertainment setup.

While the device excels in many areas, it does have some limitations, particularly in terms of DRM support and gaming performance. However, for users primarily interested in streaming live TV, movies, and TV shows, the SuperBox S6 Max provides an excellent viewing experience with its user-friendly interface and robust feature set.

As with any technology product, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences when deciding if the SuperBox S6 Max is the right choice for you. With its strong performance in key areas and some unique features, this Android TV box is certainly worth considering for those in the market for a versatile streaming device.

Image Credit: SuperBOX

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