If you want to play Android games or stream video from Netflix, YouTube, or other devices to your TV then an Android TV stick with a single or dual-core processor will probably do the trick. But that hasn’t stopped Chinese device makers from putting out ever-more-powerful models.

One of the latest is an Android TV stick with a quad-core Allwinner A31 ARM Cortex-A7 processor and PowerVR SGX 544 graphics.

The folks at GeekBuying got their hands on a pre-release sample and took it for a test drive.

Allwinner A31 TV stick

The processor seems reasonably fast, scoring 10915 in the AnTuTu benchmark. That puts it pretty close to what you’d expect from a device with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor.

GeekBuying also reports that the device can handle 4K video playback – but out of the box it only actually outputs 1280 x 720 pixels when you hook it up to a TV or monitor. There’s not even an option for 1080p. The hardware should support it, but the included software doesn’t seem to work just yet.

The Android TV stick also struggles with 1080p video playback when using the XBMC media center app for Android. According to GeekBuying, their test unit also randomly rebooted a few times.

In other words, you might want to wait for a firmware update or two before spending money on this particular unit. But if you just can’t wait, CNX-Software notes that there’s a new seller at AliExpress (with no feedback) taking orders for $101.

The device features 2GB of RAM, 8GB of built-in storage, 802.11n WiFi, 2 mini USB ports, a full-sized USB host port, and a reset button. There’s an HDMI adapter on one end, which you can use to plug the stick directly into a TV. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

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19 replies on “Android TV stick with Allwinner A31 quad-core CPU”

  1. By the way… this model also called MK810 will be available at the end of this week.

          1. I don’t know. The A31 stick delayed some days because “overheating” problems I hope they fixed this problem now. I think I’ll test both soon (this week probably)

          2. I see tnx! If you happen to remember, I’d be utmost grateful if you’d post a link to your comparo in this thread?

          3. You’re a legend, if you could post a link here when done I’d be utmost grateful?!

          4. Awesome, you rock, thanks again bro!
            Only if you get both, I’ll understand if you cannot.

  2. This device doesn’t show up on aliexpress anymore. Was it a bluff?

  3. I received my JXD S7300B Gamepad 2 on Monday, and after my MK802+ experience it looks like almost across the board these lower cost Android devices look like decent enough hardware, but suffer from spotty software.

    I was fortunate in that the JXD piece has a community that created an excellent firmware, but not all of these devices will be so fortunate.
    It makes it a hit-and-miss situation for early adopters.

  4. Or for a 100 bucks you can get a Ouya. I have one coming and after I play with it I might get another after I see how well it can handle media playback and MAME

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