UGOOS AM9 Pro Review: The Best Android TV Box of 2026?
Android TV boxes are getting better every year. But every so often, a model comes along that truly stands out. The Ugoos AM9 Pro is that model for 2026. It builds on the popular AM9. However, this upgraded Pro version brings serious hardware improvements. Dolby Vision, LPDDR5 RAM, and a faster CPU are now part of the package. Consequently, it is being called the most advanced Android box Ugoos has ever released. So is it worth your money? Let's break it all down.
What Makes the Ugoos AM9 Pro Different? At first glance, the AM9 Pro looks similar to its predecessor. However, the differences are significant. Three major upgrades set this model apart from the standard AM9. First, it now comes with LPDDR5 RAM. This is faster and more efficient than the LPDDR4X RAM used in the previous model. Second, it features the upgraded Amlogic S905X5-M processor. This chip is clocked at 2.4 GHz and runs in 64-bit mode. Third, and perhaps most exciting, the AM9 Pro now supports Dolby Vision decoding. That is a massive leap forward for Android TV boxes at this price point. Together, these upgrades make the AM9 Pro a genuinely compelling upgrade.
Design and Build Quality The AM9 Pro is built with a metal body. It feels solid and premium in the hand. The Ugoos branding is displayed cleanly at the top. In terms of ports, this box is generously equipped. You get one HDMI 2.1b port, one Gigabit Ethernet LAN port, three USB 3.0 ports, one USB Type-C data port, one optical audio port, and a microSD card reader. Furthermore, there is an auxiliary audio port for added flexibility. At the front, you will find an infrared sensor and an LED indicator. The design is simple. But more importantly, it is functional and well thought out.
Android 14 and the Ugoos Firmware Experience The AM9 Pro runs Android 14. This is a key selling point. Additionally, Ugoos is well known for delivering regular firmware updates. In fact, a firmware update was received immediately upon first connecting to the internet. The firmware is packed with useful features. You get auto framerate switching, advanced HDR settings, button mapping, hardware monitoring, and a Samba server. These are features that many competing brands simply do not offer. Two launchers are available out of the box. Launcher3 is optimized for mouse or air mouse navigation. Meanwhile, ULauncher is Ugoos's custom launcher designed for remote control navigation. Both are fully functional and easy to use.
4K HDR and Dolby Vision Performance This is where the Ugoos AM9 Pro truly shines. The box supports 4K resolution at a true 60 Hz. It also handles a wide range of HDR formats natively. Supported formats include HDR10, HLG, AV1, and now Dolby Vision. Dolby Vision is decoded directly by the hardware. As a result, content looks stunning on compatible displays. Note, however, that HDR10+ is not supported. Content in that format is instead played as standard HDR10.
For audio, the results are equally impressive. Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and even DTS-X via Kodi are all supported. Therefore, whether you are watching a blockbuster movie or a documentary, audio quality is not a concern.
Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet, and Connectivity Connectivity is strong across the board. The AM9 Pro supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. During testing, the 5 GHz band maxed out at 337 Mbps. Similarly, the 2.4 GHz band reached a solid 136 Mbps. The Gigabit Ethernet port also performed flawlessly. It reached the full maximum speed of the test network. As a result, wired streaming enthusiasts will have nothing to complain about. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.3 is included. The box ships with a Bluetooth voice remote that features an air mouse. Pairing is quick and seamless.
Benchmark Performance and Rankings The Ugoos AM9 Pro was put through several benchmark tests. In Geekbench 5, it scored 266 single-core and 899 multi-core. In the comprehensive Antutu benchmark version 11, it achieved a score of 346,478. At the time of this review, that places it at number 5 on the TV box ranking chart. RAM speed is also noteworthy. The LPDDR5 RAM achieved a copy speed of 6,539 MB/s. Internal storage reads at 201 MB/s and writes at 75 MB/s. These are competitive numbers for the category.
Gaming on the Ugoos AM9 Pro Gaming performance is a mixed story. The Mali G310 GPU does support Vulkan API 1.3 and achieved a 3DMark Wildlife score of 1,266. On paper, that sounds promising. However, in real-world 64-bit gaming, performance is comparable to the older Mali G31. Some 64-bit games even flag the chipset as incompatible. Consequently, this box is not recommended as a primary gaming device. Games that do run perform smoothly. But the GPU remains the one area where improvement is needed. The Mali G57 would have been a better choice.
Root Access and Widevine DRM Root access is available through the built-in Magisk application. Simply enable the root switch in settings, restart the box, and root access is granted. This makes the AM9 Pro highly attractive to power users and tinkerers. However, there is a trade-off. Widevine DRM is rated at Level 3. The previous AM9 model had Level 1 with HDCP 2.3. This means streaming apps like Netflix may not deliver HD or 4K content. Users who rely heavily on certified streaming services should factor this in before purchasing.
Who Should Buy the Ugoos AM9 Pro? The Ugoos AM9 Pro is clearly built for enthusiasts. It is ideal for users who want the latest hardware, Dolby Vision support, and a feature-rich Android experience. Moreover, it is perfect for those who value regular firmware updates and full customization. On the other hand, users who primarily stream Netflix or require Android TV certification may find this model limiting. This box runs the mobile version of Android. Therefore, certified streaming apps are not available by default. Nevertheless, for media playback, Kodi streaming, local file playback, and general Android use, the AM9 Pro is outstanding.
Final Verdict The Ugoos AM9 Pro is a genuinely impressive device. It delivers the most advanced firmware features of any Android TV box in its class. Dolby Vision, LPDDR5 RAM, and a faster CPU make it a clear upgrade over the previous model. Furthermore, the commitment to regular firmware updates gives it long-term value that competing brands rarely match. The only real concern is the GPU performance. Gaming enthusiasts may feel let down. In addition, the Level 3 Widevine certification limits its appeal to certified streaming users. Overall, a strong 4 out of 5 stars. For Android TV box enthusiasts who want the best in 2026, the Ugoos AM9 Pro is hard to beat. 👉 Get the Ugoos AM9 Pro at the best price on Amazon: UGOOS AM9 Pro