There was once a time where we were constrained to watch whatever was on TV. However, the technology has progressed a lot especially since the start of the 2000s, and we have witnessed development like no other. One such development is online streaming which allows you to stream TV shows depending on your mood. To further simplify life, streaming set-top boxes like Idroidnation I-Box II have been introduced into the market, bringing streaming content into our living rooms.
Pros
- 4k support
- Plenty of power
- Two versions to cater to your specific needs
- Lifetime warranty and 30-day return policy
Cons
- Low quality remote included
- Customer Service
- Software issues can cause the box to freeze
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Idroidnation I-Box II Review
The generic I-Box II and its PRO version can be connected to any TV with the help of an HDMI port. Once connected, it allows you to watch online content such as Netflix, Hulu, and HBO along with various other credible streaming sites. Thanks to this feature, I-Box II paves the way for the transformation of any TV into a smart one.
Those of you who have gone through the ordeal of watching slowly-buffering shows online will find this device to be like a breath of fresh air. With the vast amount of available streaming apps, you can bid farewell to your cable bill and enjoy the world of uninterrupted online streaming.
The PRO version of the product is slightly different from the original version with higher RAM and storage space. In this review, we will be discussing the pros and cons, design, hardware, and software. Will also look at how well the I-Box performs the most common tasks and summarize customer feedback of both to come to a conclusion about the product.
Pros and Cons
Every product has certain aspects that it excels at and certain things that it either lacks or fails to achieve successfully. This product also has a set of advantages and disadvantages.
The pros of this product include the following:
- A lifetime warranty accompanies the product.
- The 30-day return policy provided by manufacturers gives you enough time to assess the quality of the product and return it if found unsatisfactory.
- The product automatically updates to the latest version of Android to give you an authentic and fast experience.
- The technical specifications of the product are great given its price. You’ll have plenty of power to stream 4k or play games.
- The prices of both the regular and PRO versions are reasonable.
- The inclusion of a PRO version in the product range allows this product to cater to the needs of those who demand high storage.
- The product provides you with root access, thereby enabling you to install blocked apps as well.
However, the product fails to impress users in certain aspects, which include the following:
- The customer service and after-sales support of the product are not up to par, leading to decreased customer satisfaction.
- The remote isn’t great. Check out our recommendations of remotes and air mice for Android media players.
- The manual of the product is difficult to use, especially for those who are not familiar with Android products.
- Some software issues can cause freezes requiring a reboot
Design
The design of the original and the PRO versions is identical. Both of them are compact and have a dimension of 4*3*1 inches. Such a sleek design means that the product does not take up much space and does not act as an obstruction in your aesthetically pleasing TV lounge.
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Moreover, a sleek and lightweight design, weighing approximately 1.1 pounds, makes this product highly portable. The design of the product is the reflection of the manufacturer’s understanding and attention to the customer’s need for convenience. Since users prefer to watch TV in the comfort of their bed or living room and sometimes when traveling, such a compact and light design allows you to enjoy the product anywhere you are.
Furthermore, while the original version of the product has a matte black finish with a blue border, the PRO version features a similar blue border but with a glossy black finish. The products have the red logo of Idroidnation embellished on the top of the product. The red and black color of the exterior blends well with one another.
This design gives off an aura of sophistication. Since black is a neutral color and most television sets are either of a similar color or of one with which a black combination will look well, the exterior of the product enhances the aesthetic appeal of its surroundings.
The I-Box II features four ports on the sides of the device for plugging a USB and HDMI cord respectively. This is on top of several ports on the back. There are no ports at the front which gives the device an elegant look.
Hardware
The I-Box II features plenty of storage space. You either get 16GB built-in internal storage, as provided by the original version. Or the 32GB internal storage of the PRO version. Such high internal storage capacity allows you to download applications or media files without fear of running out of disk space. Additionally, both versions have built-in SD card readers. This allows you to easily extend disk space should you ever run low.
Moreover, the device provides 2GB and 3GB RAM in the original and the PRO version respectively. This RAM paves the way for faster performance and, hence, helps this product live up to its claim of buffer-free streaming and overall smooth operation. However, you must remember that your internet speed is also critical for ensuring such an experience. If you have a poor internet connection, the chances are that you will suffer from the wrath of buffering even when using this product.
RAM is also crucial for running apps and games. Nowadays, users run multiple apps at the same time, putting a strain on system resources. With the upgraded 3GB of RAM, you are sure to get a responsive user experience and the ability to run any games you wish.
Furthermore, this device features a CPU, namely S912 Amlogic, which is marked by premium performance. The CPU features a quad-core processor which has a speed of 1.5 GHz. Combine that high-quality CPU with the ARM Mali-T820MP3 graphics processor, and there is nothing stopping you from streaming 4k content and running even the most demanding apps and games.
However, there is one piece of hardware that wasn’t able to impress us: the remote. Given its price, we would have expected a higher quality one to come with I-Box II. But to be fair, most streaming players come with mediocre remote controls that you end up replacing anyway. You have the option of either getting a wireless keyboard or an air mouse remote to give you the best control over the player.
Software
Many streaming players ship with outdated Android versions. This negatively impacts the performance of the device. Also, users are not able to use the features introduced in later versions. It is great to see that Idroidnation puts a lot of emphasis on keeping the system software up-to-date. Luckily, the latest Android 6.0 operating system comes pre-installed on the I-Box II.
Additionally, Idroidnation realizes that in the fast-paced world we live in today, new versions of Android are being developed at an even faster rate than before. Therefore, it is standard for devices which do not adapt to the changing environment to become obsolete quickly and, therefore, are not preferred by customers who value durability. For this reason, this device updates itself automatically to the current version. This allows the set-top box to always offer the perks of the latest technology to its customers.
Furthermore, the software allows for high-definition streaming. The display of the content is not only of high quality but also crisp and visually pleasing. Such a display lets you enjoy your shows with the utmost clarity and experience a visual display which looks closer to reality.
Various apps can be downloaded via the app store, ranging from Netflix to the NBC app. Moreover, the product comes with Kodi pre-installed. Since the product has root access, it allows you to download applications which would otherwise have been blocked on your Android device.
However, the software of the product does experience lags at times. Also, users report issues waking the device from sleep mode. While we haven’t witnessed this behavior ourselves, affected customers have to reboot their box to get it to work again. It seems that the software is not fully optimized and has some reliability issues.
Performance
The general responsiveness of the product is satisfactory most of the time. However, there are the previously mentioned lags and reported freezes that may negatively impact your enjoyment of the I-Box II.
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On the other hand, video playback on the box is marked by smooth performance and high quality. It allows for fast streaming of online content. We haven’t experienced any excessive buffering while watching online content. However, your mileage may vary as streaming is mostly limited by your internet speed and available bandwidth. The device, nonetheless, works as good as it can under external constraints.
Also, Kodi runs without any issues on both the normal and the PRO version. Browsing your library, running add-ons and general video playback are smooth. No issues here!
Since you can install any app from the Android Play Store, it is natural that many users may be inclined to use the device to install games and related applications. Since the product has enough processing power and RAM for games, this device also serves to be an excellent platform for playing games. Consider investing in a wireless gamepad if gaming is one of the reasons you buy this set-top box.
All in all, the performance of the device is satisfactory and shouldn’t give you any concerns. Some interface issues aside, when it comes to streaming and gaming, the I-Box II will surely impress you.
What others say
Customers have had mixed reactions to the I-Box II. While some are not satisfied with the customer service and reliability of the product, others believe that the premium performance and competitive pricing of the product make up for such drawbacks.
Overall, the price of the product is very reasonable considering the various features the player provides. While some have reported that due to the complicated manual, the product is not easy to set up or become familiarized with, others think that the website of Idroidnation makes up for the somewhat incomprehensible manual.
Moreover, the product has been lauded by users for the fact that the Android system can be updated to the latest version available. This feature, together with the lifetime warranty, means that you can use the product for the long term while being in touch with the latest Android features.
The major negative feedback of the product revolves around the reliability and instances of lagging, which we have discussed previously in the article. Also, the poor customer service significantly undermines the effect of the lifetime warranty of the product. Customers complain that connecting to the support service is difficult and long.
Nonetheless, the overall customer reviews conclude that the high internal storage, crisp graphics, and high-performing hardware make up for these disadvantages, thereby making this device a popular choice amongst those individuals who value durability, affordability, and premium performance.
Verdict
Now that we have discussed each feature of this device at length, we are now in a position to judge the overall offer. Before we do so, let us summarize our findings.
We believe that the design of the product is up to standard and allows this product to be portable and aesthetically pleasing – two characteristics which are valued by most of the customers today.
The hardware and software together succeed in providing high-quality performance. The quad-core processing capability of the CPU combined with the latest Android operating system enables a fast and smooth streaming experience.
All in all, both the Idroidnation I-Box II and versions succeed in satisfying their customers on various levels. It is a solid media box available at a decent price. It features various high-quality and advanced specifications, which competing products within a similar price range lack. However, the reliability and after-sale support let this product down and undermine its promise of premium features and a holistic solution.
If you are able to accept the occasional lags and a far from perfect customer support, you will be very happy with I-Box II. However, in the highly competitive streaming media player market are plenty of other devices that may be a better fit for your needs. Check out our reviews of the fully loaded Kodi Box Skystream One, the Matricom G-Box Q2 or the onD Android TV box.
Last update on 2024-11-15 at 20:10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
