Amlogic S905X5M vs. S905X4: Features and Benchmark Comparison

The Amlogic S905 series has long been a dominant force in the world of media streaming devices and TV boxes, offering solid performance across various price points. With the release of the S905X5M, a variant of the S905X5 tailored for cost-efficient, feature-rich devices, consumers are eager to understand how it stacks up against its predecessor, the S905X4. In this article, we delve into the updated features and benchmark results to see how these two chipsets compare and which is better suited for your media needs.

1. Video Codec Support: AV1 Still Shines

S905X4: One of the standout features of the S905X4 is its support for the AV1 codec. AV1 offers superior efficiency compared to H.265 (HEVC) and has become widely adopted by major streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube for 4K content. Additionally, the S905X4 supports H.265, VP9, and legacy codecs, making it highly suitable for 4K streaming.

S905X5M: Like the S905X4, the S905X5M also supports the AV1 codec, ensuring efficient 4K streaming with superior compression. However, the S905X5M takes it a step further by introducing support for H.266 (VVC), the next-generation codec designed for 8K streaming and beyond. H.266 offers 50% better compression efficiency over H.265, making it ideal for future-proofing ultra-high-definition media consumption.

Key Difference: Both SoCs support AV1, but the S905X5M’s added H.266 (VVC) codec offers superior 8K compression, giving it a significant advantage in terms of future-readiness.

2. Performance: ARM Cortex-A55 and GPU Enhancements

Both the S905X5M and the S905X4 utilize ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores optimized for power efficiency, delivering stable performance for media streaming. However, the S905X5M introduces multiple improvements in efficiency and processing power.

S905X4: The S905X4 features a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU paired with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, which is adequate for handling 4K content, UI rendering, and light gaming.

S905X5M: Similarly, the S905X5M employs a quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU, but with optimizations for better efficiency and performance in newer streaming applications. It retains the Mali-G31 MP2 GPU but with enhancements in video decoding and energy consumption, making it more suitable for long-duration 4K and 8K content without overheating or throttling.

Key Difference: While both chipsets share the same CPU and GPU configurations, the S905X5M’s architectural improvements make it more capable of handling extended viewing sessions and more demanding tasks.

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

S905X4: The S905X4 lacks any AI-powered enhancements, relying solely on hardware-based upscaling and other video processing tasks.

S905X5M: A standout feature of the S905X5M is its inclusion of Ai-SR (Artificial Intelligence Super Resolution), which leverages AI to upscale lower-resolution content to near-4K or 8K quality. This feature significantly boosts image quality, especially for older or lower-resolution content, delivering sharper details and a more refined viewing experience on 4K or 8K displays.

Key Difference: The S905X5M introduces AI-powered upscaling capabilities that are absent in the S905X4, making it ideal for users looking to enhance older video content.

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

S905X4: The S905X4 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), providing reliable network performance for 4K streaming and other bandwidth-heavy applications. It also supports Gigabit Ethernet for wired connectivity.

S905X5M: The S905X5M comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support, offering faster speeds, better performance, and lower latency, particularly in crowded networks. As 4K and 8K streaming become more common and demand stable, high-speed internet connections, this becomes increasingly important. Like the S905X4, it also supports Gigabit Ethernet for wired connections.

Key Difference: The S905X5M supports Wi-Fi 6, while the S905X4 is limited to Wi-Fi 5, giving the S905X5M an edge in wireless performance.

5. 8K Video Output

S905X4: The S905X4 is designed to handle 4K@60fps video output with support for HDR10 and HLG, enhancing color accuracy and contrast in HDR content.

S905X5M: Building on this, the S905X5M supports 8K video output at 60fps, making it an excellent choice for high-end media devices designed for future 8K content. It also supports HDR10 and other advanced color and contrast technologies to ensure top-tier image quality on 4K and 8K displays.

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

6. Benchmark Comparison

While actual benchmark scores vary depending on the specific TV box or media device configuration, early results suggest the following:

• CPU Performance: The S905X5M scores slightly higher due to its architectural improvements, particularly in multi-core tasks.
• GPU Performance: Both SoCs offer 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, especially when it comes to 8K content and AI-based upscaling.

Takeaway: In practical use, the S905X5M outperforms the S905X4 in overall performance, particularly when handling 8K content and AI-powered upscaling.

Conclusion: Amlogic S905X5M vs. S905X4

The Amlogic S905X5M is a clear upgrade over the S905X4, especially when it comes to future-proofing for 8K streaming, H.266 support, AI-powered upscaling, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility. It offers superior performance and energy efficiency, making it an excellent choice for next-gen TV boxes and media streaming devices.

That said, the S905X4 remains a strong contender for users primarily consuming 4K content and who don’t yet need the advanced features of 8K or AI-enhanced upscaling. For cost-conscious consumers, the S905X4 continues to offer excellent value.

For those seeking the most advanced media experience, the S905X5M is the top choice, providing cutting-edge features to ensure your device is ready for future media consumption trends.