Amlogic S905X5M vs Amlogic S905X4: Updated Features and Benchmarks Comparison

Amlogic S905X5M vs Amlogic S905X4: Updated Features and Benchmarks Comparison

Amlogic’s S905 series has been a staple in the world of TV boxes and media streaming devices, delivering reliable performance at various price points. With the release of the Amlogic S905X5M, a variant of the S905X5 designed for cost-effective yet feature-rich devices, users are curious to know how it compares to its predecessor, the Amlogic S905X4. In this article, we will delve into the updated features and benchmarks to see how the two chipsets stack up and which one is better suited for your media needs.

1. Video Codec Support: AV1 Continues to Shine

• Amlogic S905X4: One of the major selling points of the S905X4 was its AV1 codec support. This new video compression standard offers better efficiency than H.265 (HEVC) and has been widely adopted for streaming 4K content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube. The S905X4 also supports H.265, VP9, and legacy codecs, making it versatile for 4K streaming.

• Amlogic S905X5M: Like the S905X4, the S905X5M also supports the AV1 codec, ensuring efficient 4K streaming with better compression. However, the S905X5M takes it a step further by also introducing support for H.266 (VVC), a next-gen video codec designed for 8K streaming and beyond. H.266 provides up to 50% better compression efficiency compared to H.265, making it ideal for the future of ultra-high-definition media consumption.

Key Difference: Both SoCs support AV1, but only the S905X5M adds H.266 (VVC) for superior 8K compression, giving it a distinct advantage for future-proofing.

2. Performance: ARM Cortex-A55 and GPU Improvements

Both the S905X5M and S905X4 use ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores, which are optimized for power efficiency and provide solid performance for media streaming. However, the S905X5M brings several improvements in efficiency and performance.

• Amlogic S905X4: The S905X4 comes with a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU, combined with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, which is good for handling 4K content, UI rendering, and light gaming.

• Amlogic S905X5M: The S905X5M also uses a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU but has been optimized for better power efficiency and performance in newer streaming applications. It retains the Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, but with improvements in video decoding capabilities and energy consumption, making it more suitable for long hours of 4K and 8K content consumption without overheating or performance throttling.

Key Difference: While both chipsets feature the same CPU and GPU, the S905X5M has architectural improvements that enhance its performance, especially for longer viewing sessions and more demanding tasks.

3. AI-Driven Features: Ai-SR in S905X5M

• Amlogic S905X4: The S905X4 lacks any AI-driven enhancements, relying solely on hardware for upscaling and other video processing tasks.

• Amlogic S905X5M: One of the standout features of the S905X5M is the inclusion of Ai-SR (AI Super Resolution), which uses artificial intelligence to upscale lower-resolution video content to near-4K or 8K quality. This feature dramatically improves image quality, especially for older or lower-resolution content, delivering clearer details and a sharper viewing experience on 4K or 8K displays.

Key Difference: The S905X5M introduces AI Super Resolution, providing AI-driven upscaling capabilities not found in the S905X4.

4. Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 5

• Amlogic S905X4: The S905X4 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which provides solid network performance for 4K streaming and other bandwidth-intensive applications. It also supports Gigabit Ethernet for wired connections.

• Amlogic S905X5M: The S905X5M comes with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support, which delivers faster speeds, better performance in crowded networks, and lower latency. This is particularly important as 4K and 8K streaming becomes more common, and the need for stable, high-speed internet connections grows. Like the S905X4, it also supports Gigabit Ethernet for wired connectivity.

Key Difference: The S905X5M’s support for Wi-Fi 6 makes it better suited for modern, high-speed wireless environments compared to the Wi-Fi 5 support in the S905X4.

5. 8K Video Output

• Amlogic S905X4: The S905X4 is designed to handle 4K@60fps video output with support for HDR10+ and HLG, which enhances color accuracy and contrast in HDR-enabled content.

• Amlogic S905X5M: The S905X5M builds upon this, offering 8K video output at 60fps, making it a great choice for high-end media devices designed for future 8K content. It also supports HDR10+ and other advanced color and contrast technologies, ensuring top-tier image quality on 4K and 8K displays alike.

Key Difference: The S905X5M supports 8K video output, whereas the S905X4 is limited to 4K, making the S905X5M the better choice for next-generation media consumption.

6. Benchmarks Comparison

While specific benchmark scores will vary depending on the TV box or media device configuration, preliminary benchmarks suggest that the Amlogic S905X5M offers slightly better performance across the board when compared to the S905X4:

• CPU Performance: The S905X5M offers marginally better scores due to architectural improvements, especially in multi-core tasks.
• GPU Performance: Both SoCs have similar GPU performance, with the Mali-G31 providing decent performance for 4K media playback and light gaming.
• Video Processing: The S905X5M scores higher in video decoding and rendering benchmarks, particularly with 8K content and AI-based upscaling.

Key Takeaway: In real-world use, the S905X5M edges out the S905X4 in overall performance, especially when dealing with 8K content and AI-driven upscaling.

Conclusion: Amlogic S905X5M vs S905X4

The Amlogic S905X5M is a clear upgrade over the S905X4, particularly in terms of future-proofing for 8K streaming, H.266 support, AI-driven upscaling, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility. It offers superior performance and energy efficiency, making it an excellent choice for next-generation TV boxes and media streaming devices.

That said, the S905X4 remains a strong contender for users who primarily consume 4K content and do not yet need the advanced capabilities of 8K or AI enhancements. For cost-conscious consumers, the S905X4 continues to offer excellent value.

For those seeking the latest and most advanced media experience, the Amlogic S905X5M is the optimal choice, delivering cutting-edge features that ensure your device is ready for the future of media consumption.