We have already made a review of the MINIX NEO U22-XJ, which due to low-quality software was not recommended for purchase. In early May 2020, a firmware update was released that fixed almost all shortcomings. Therefore, we suggest that buyers familiarize themselves with the product again. So to speak, from a new and more convenient angle.
MINIX NEO U22-XJ: Video Review
The Technozon channel made a detailed review of the set-top box – we recommend checking it out. The channel often conducts tech giveaways, so we advise subscribing to Technozon.
MINIX NEO U22-XJ: Overview and Specifications
| Brand | Minix (China) |
| Chip | SoC Amlogic S922XJ |
| Processor | 4x Cortex-A73 @ 2.21 GHz 2x Cortex-A53 @ 1.8 GHz |
| Video Adapter | Mali-G52 MP6 (850MHz, 6.8 Gbps) |
| RAM | 4 GB (LPDDR4 3200 MHz) |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC 5.0 |
| Memory Expansion | Yes |
| Operating System | Android 9.0 Nougat |
| Update Support | Yes |
| Wired Network | Yes, RJ-45, 1Gbit/s |
| Wireless Network | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz (2×2 MIMO) |
| Signal Boost | Yes, 1 antenna, 5 dB |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.1 + EDR |
| Interfaces | RJ-45, 3x USB 3.0, 1x USB-C, IR, HDMI, SPDIF, DC |
| Memory Card Support | microSD 2.x/3.x/4.x, eMMC ver 5.0 (up to 128 GB) |
| Root Access | Yes |
| Digital Panel | No |
| HDMI | Version 2.1 4K@60Hz, HDR 10+ |
| Physical Dimensions | 128x128x28 mm |
| Price | $170-190 |
In the updated version of MINIX NEO U22-XJ, besides software fixes, Root and Auto Frame Rate have appeared. This is very good, especially for owners of 4K TVs who want to get maximum comfort, as these criteria are critical. To put it simply:
- Root – full user access to the set-top box’s file system. You can install any applications, enthusiast firmware, and modify system files.
- Auto Frame Rate (AFR) – synchronization of the source video frame rate with the TV display. For the user, this means no flickering or image shifts during viewing. Yes, modern TVs adjust themselves to the HDMI source, but not always correctly.
MINIX NEO U22-XJ: Interface and Control Convenience
Owners of Android devices may initially think that the menu looks somewhat outdated. But that’s only at first glance. The simplified external interface is very user-friendly and highly customizable. All main menu buttons can be easily configured to suit your preferences. The top informational panel is well implemented. On the left, working network interfaces are displayed. On the right, when an external storage device is connected, a Media button appears.
The set-top box reacts to menu selection instantly. Considering it runs Android, it’s very pleasant to see such quick response, similar to Apple devices. It’s also great that the main menu features an All Tasks Killer button – capable of instantly closing all running processes. This is useful for those who like to run many applications and then wonder why everything is so slow.
MINIX NEO U22-XJ: Performance
It’s fashionable to test the set-top box primarily for throttling. Overheating even in multi-hour tests is completely absent. The perfectly green output graph is very reassuring. Interestingly, the chip temperature does not exceed 50 degrees Celsius.
The temperature remains within 42-48 degrees even during resource-intensive games. Accordingly, there is no lag. This is great. You can play PUBG, tanks, or racing games for hours at maximum graphics settings, enjoying maximum comfort and pleasure.
MINIX NEO U22-XJ TV Box: Network Capabilities
The network modules ensure high-quality content streaming from the internet. Many set-top boxes have weak points here, leading to video pauses or lag during playback.
| MINIX NEO U22-XJ | ||
| Download, Mbps | Upload, Mbps | |
| LAN 1 Gbps | 750 | 850 |
| Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz | 65 | 85 |
| Wi-Fi 5 GHz | 320 | 250 |
It’s worth noting that when a hard drive is connected to the set-top box via USB, the Wi-Fi data transfer speed drops. The indicator is around 20 megabits per second, which can be considered insignificant. However, the chipset’s interaction with Wi-Fi and USB remains somewhat unclear.
MINIX NEO U22-XJ: Multimedia
It can’t be said that the set-top box easily supports all audio formats, but it handles most codecs. Either passthrough or transcoding, in any case, the user receives high-quality surround sound on an external audio system.
When playing 4K 60 FPS videos from YouTube, there are no drops. The picture is high quality, with no distortions. It’s worth noting that during testing, the TV box was connected to a 1 Gbps internet network. The download speed on YouTube was around 300 Mbps. Therefore, the quality of video playback directly depends on the connection channel and the equipment used. If the provider shapes (reduces bandwidth) the internet, the results with MINIX NEO U22-XJ may vary.
With IPTV and torrent videos, nothing special happened. The set-top box instantly plays 4K videos. And it reacts quickly to rewinding. No issues with games either. When connecting a gamepad, there are no disruptions. Everything works smoothly.
