Does your TV Box freeze when navigating menus? Does YouTube take forever to open? Don't throw it in the trash just yet! Whether you have a budget TV98 , a popular X96 , or even a decent X88 Pro , factory settings are rarely optimized for speed. Manufacturers often load these boxes with unnecessary animations and background apps that eat up all your RAM. In this guide, I will show you 5 secret settings that will noticeably speed up your device in just 2 minutes. 1. Turn Off Animations (Developer Options) ⚡ This is the single most effective trick. By reducing or turning off animations, menus will snap open instantly without the sluggish visual effects. How to do it: Go to Settings -> Device Preferences -> About . Find the Build Number . Click on it 7 times rapidly until you see a message: “You are now a developer!” . Go back one step and open the new Developer Options menu. Scroll down to the "Drawing" section and change these three settings from 1x to .5x o...
Is it possible to turn an old TV into a Smart TV for the price of a pizza?
I recently picked up the TV98 Android TV Box for just $23 to find out. On paper, it promises 8K support, Android 14, and decent specs. But we all know that budget Chinese electronics often exaggerate their features.
In this review, I’ll take you through the unboxing, real-world testing, gaming performance, and tell you if this budget box is a hidden gem or electronic waste.
🛒 Where to Buy (Best Price)
If you want to check the current price or grab one for yourself, check the link below: 👉 Buy TV98 TV Box here: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4EM6075
(Full transparency: If you buy through this link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for the support!)
1. Unboxing & First Impressions
Inside the box, you get the standard setup: the unit itself, an HDMI cable, a power adapter, and the manual.
However, the remote control was a pleasant surprise. Unlike the cheap, clicky remotes you usually get with budget boxes, this one feels solid. It has:
Dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and Google Play.
A Voice Assistant button (which is rare at this price point).
Mouse mode functionality.
The box itself has a nice LCD display on the front (showing the time), two USB ports, a MicroSD slot, HDMI, and 100M Ethernet.
2. The Specs: Truth vs. Marketing
The box claims to run on Android 14. Let’s be honest—it’s highly unlikely that a $23 device is running the absolute latest Android OS. It’s likely a modified older version (Android 10 or 12) disguised as 14.
Real Specs discovered in testing:
CPU: Rockchip 3518 (Entry-level)
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 16GB
Wi-Fi: Dual Band (2.4GHz & 5GHz) – This is a huge plus!
3. Streaming Test: YouTube vs. Netflix
Here is where the TV98 shows its strengths and weaknesses.
YouTube: ✅ PASSED. I tested 4K video playback. While there was a tiny bit of stuttering at full 4K resolution, dropping it down to 1440p resulted in buttery smooth playback. For a $23 device, the picture quality is excellent.
Netflix / Prime Video: ❌ FAILED. The TV98 is not Netflix Certified. This means you cannot watch Netflix in HD/4K. You also have to navigate the app using the "Mouse Mode" cursor, which is very slow and frustrating. Do not buy this box if your main goal is Netflix.
4. Gaming Performance & Thermals
I decided to push the box to its limits. I connected my Bluetooth Gamepad (pairing was instant and easy) and installed Beach Buggy Racing.
** The Result?** It actually works! The game ran smoothly without major lag. If you are into retro emulation or casual Android gaming, this box can handle it surprisingly well.
Temperatures: After gaming and streaming, I checked the thermals. The box hovered around 60°C - 65°C. This is a safe operating temperature, so overheating shouldn't be an issue for daily use.
5. The Verdict
So, is the TV98 worth your money?
YES, buy it if:
✅ You want a super cheap device for YouTube.
✅ You want to do some light Gaming/Emulation.
✅ You need a secondary box for a kitchen or garage TV.
✅ You have a budget under $25.
NO, skip it if:
❌ You need high-quality Netflix/Disney+ (Get a Xiaomi Mi Stick or Chromecast instead).
📺 Watch the Full Video Review
Want to see the gaming test and UI in action? Watch my full video review here: [EMBED YOUR YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE]
Thanks for reading! If you found this review helpful, don't forget to check out the product link below:
👉 Grab the TV98 Here: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4EM6075
Have you tried these cheap TV boxes? Let me know in the comments!
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