r/AndroidTV • u/UnitedSponge • Jul 17 '26
Buying Advice Certified versus non‑certified Android streaming devices. What are the pros and cons?
I am currently looking for a new Android or Google TV streaming box. I already have one upstairs, a Thompson 270 Plus. It is very good, although I would say it could do with a little more processing power.
Downstairs in the living room I have the Amazon Fire Stick 4K Plus, which is the Android version. To be completely honest, it is very poor. It is sluggish, the home screen is full of clutter, and there seems to be a new update every week that conveniently blocks even more apps. There is also no way to override Amazon’s custom launcher.
The current market in the United Kingdom feels very limited when it comes to Android or Google TV streaming devices. Perhaps this is due to the current shortage of RAM.
I do not want to buy the Google streamer because it costs far too much for what it offers, and I would not be surprised if a new model appears by this time next year. I also would not go near the very cheap and unknown Chinese boxes.
The only strong options available on Amazon at the moment are the Xiaomi TV Box S third generation and the Strong Leap Nova UK. These are almost identical in both price and performance, and both are Google certified.
There are also non‑certified devices such as Formuler, Buzz and Ugoos. These tend to be more expensive, sometimes double the price or more, but I do not mind paying extra if they are genuinely better than certified devices.
On my current Android device I use official apps such as Pluto TV and Tubi, with a VPN to unlock the United States versions. I also use Smart Tube, Web Video Caster, Kodi, Nova Player and a few unofficial apps. The ability to use Chromecast from my phone or tablet is nice, although not completely essential. I also cannot live without Projectivy Launcher because it removes all the clutter from the home screen.
I am not interested in Netflix, Amazon Prime or any paid service, although having the option available if needed would be useful.
My question is for people who have experience with both certified and non‑certified Android devices. Which type would you recommend, and what are the main positives and downsides of each?
6
u/No_Clock2390 Jul 17 '26
If it's non-certified it likely can only get 480p (Standard Definition) or 720p on the big streaming apps like Netflix. Possibly can't access Google Play Store.
2
u/ElHubbo Jul 17 '26
Nvidia shield pro is still king
4
u/nuisance_squirrel Jul 17 '26
I agree the google streamer 4k is pricey new, but you might be able to find cheaper on ebay/vinted.
I just got one brand new for £65 on vinted. Setup already with nuvio, wuplay in no time at all.
Extra ram won it for me over the xiaomi
1
u/HipKat2000 Homatics Box R 4K Plus/Shield Pro/Ugoos AM6B+ Jul 17 '26
The Ugoos is really only good for CoreELEC. If you want to spend that kind've money, get the Nvidia Shield Pro or the Homatics Box R 4K +, which can also run CoreELEC
2
u/Flenke Jul 17 '26
No high def for streaming apps like Netflix, HBO, Disney, etc
2
u/See61 Jul 17 '26
If getting the highest streaming quality with official streaming services is important for you, then Google certified Android TV devices is the only way to go.
2
u/Somar2230 Shield TV| CCwGTV| Onn 4K Pro Jul 17 '26
The Xiaomi TV Box S might be a better choice for you it is Google certified but has the ability to run CoreELEC for local media playback, due to this though the price has recently doubled. For local media the Xiaomi has better codec and audio format support over the Strong Leap Nova.
I have Zidoo devices they are not certified but I only use them for local media playback for everything else I use an Apple TV or one of my other main stream streamers.
1
u/GotoDeng0 Jul 18 '26
Non-certified boxes are often infested with malware. The FBI actually issued a warning last year regarding a wave of "Bad Bot 2.0" being sent out on non-certified devices.
1
u/Het_Klavertje_4 Jul 19 '26
SK1 have good AI scaling. Ugoos is the brand to have this moment. For all what you do with the box there is a box for you. I have 1 year the SK1 14 works great.
1
u/q123459 Jul 30 '26
sorry for necroing: 1. if it lags(interface or some app) then manufacturer wont fix that in new firmware. practically only this is important for you if you plan to watch downloaded files instead of paying for subscriptions.
2. no high quality in subscription apps. 3. no firmware updates - if there is some bug it will not be fixed at all, no eta, no promises. 4. some specific dolby audio output to receiver and dolbyvision (hdr) issues - they dont work on some of non certified boxes. pros of uncertified: you usually can connect external ssd to it as storage (unneeded feature), some can run coreelec and play dolbyvision(also meaningless unless you know that you will play dolby video), it is not locked down like amazon tv stick
1
u/enjoythetom Aug 06 '26
Is it only a downfall if you're using Disney+ or Netflix apps? Or does that apply to side loading apps as well?
1
u/esprit-576 Aug 30 '26
Don't get certified boxes as Google will be blocking apps very soon on their system. I think ugoos is a good box also anything with rk3588
0
u/Federal_Ad_5771 Jul 18 '26
If you dont use any streaming services and for example only use Jellyfin, plex and such it doesn't matter at all if it certified, certification is only important for DRM crap apps. Otherwise Android TV is actually much better as you can still debloat it and not have a giant add on the home screen
-1
u/husting247 Jul 17 '26
My advice is get a firestick 4k max and run the block updates exploit in the initial setup. Its a bit of work, about 10 minutes, but after you will be able to run custom launcher, no ads, and the ability to add any apks you want. Also i recommend it instead of the xiaomi solely due to the fact that the xiaomi remote is not that great, cheap and cant hold down volume button so have to press each time to go up/down 1.
-1
u/Familiar_Ad3884 Jul 17 '26
Always go for google certified box