Amlogic S905X5 vs. S905X5M vs. S905Y5 Comparison: Performance, Features & Applications
The Amlogic S905X5 family represents a leap in TV box SoC technology, offering a spectrum of solutions from flagship-level performance to energy-efficient designs. The S905X5 leads with a quad-core Armv9 CPU, Mali-G310 V5 GPU, and advanced VPU supporting AV1 and H.266 codecs, complemented by a 4-TOPS NPU for AI upscaling. The S905X5M balances cost and capability with four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.5 GHz, Mali-G310 V2 graphics, and HDMI 2.1a support for 4K@60fps. At the entry level, the S905Y5 delivers low-power operation with Cortex-A55 cores, Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, and native 4K@60fps decoding. Across applications—from premium streaming boxes to budget-friendly single-board computers—these SoCs enable smooth 4K HDR experiences, intelligent upscaling, and versatile connectivity.
Architecture & Core Features
1 Amlogic S905X5
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CPU: Quad-core Armv9 CPU (likely Cortex-A510) delivering over 40 K DMIPS on a second-generation 6 nm process.
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GPU: Arm Mali-G310 V5 clocked at 1 GHz, optimized for 4K HDR UIs.
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VPU: Dual 4Kp60 10-bit H.266/VVC and AV1 decoding, plus VP9, AVS3, H.265/HEVC, H.264 support.
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NPU: 4 TOPS AI accelerator enabling AI-SR (super resolution) for enhanced image clarity.
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Process Node: Advanced 6 nm “second generation” technology for higher efficiency.
2 Amlogic S905X5M
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CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 up to 2.5 GHz, fabricated on a 6 nm node.
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GPU: Mali-G310 V2, delivering mid-range performance for smooth UI rendering.
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Video Output: Native HDMI 2.1a support up to 4K@60fps with AV1 compatibility.
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Memory & Storage: USB 2.0 ports, eMMC 5.1 storage support; targeted at cost-sensitive devices
3 Amlogic S905Y5
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CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 delivering around 20 K DMIPS on 6 nm.
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GPU: ARM Mali-G31 MP2, matching S905X4 performance.
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Video Decoding: Native support for H.265, AVS2, VP9, AV1 up to 4K@60fps, HDR10 enhancements.
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Use Case: Ideal for energy-efficient 4K value boxes and entry-level IPTV devices.
Performance Benchmark
| SoC | DMIPS | GPU Model | VPU Codecs | AI NPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S905X5 | 40 K+ | Mali-G310 V5 | H.266/VVC, AV1, VP9, AVS3, HEVC, H.264 | 4 TOPS |
| S905X5M | ~35 K | Mali-G310 V2 | AV1, HEVC, H.264 | – |
| S905Y5 | 20 K | Mali-G31 MP2 | H.265, AVS2, VP9, AV1 | – |
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CPU Throughput: The S905X5's Armv9 cores double S905X4's performance, offering 40 K DMIPS vs. 20 K on S905Y5.
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Graphical Processing: Mali-G310 V5 in S905X5 outpaces G31 MP2 by nearly 3× in UI benchmarks, crucial for fluid 4K navigation.
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AI Upscaling: Only S905X5 integrates a 4 TOPS NPU, enhancing visual fidelity on HDR content via AI-SR
Application Scenarios
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Premium Streaming Boxes: S905X5 powers flagship 4K Ultra Boxes with AI-enhanced upscaling and smart-home integration.
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Mid-Range TV Sticks and Set-top Boxes: S905X5M balances cost and 4K@60fps performance for Android 14 sticks and affordable OTT devices.
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Entry-Level Devices: S905Y5 drives budget-friendly value boxes with 4K@60fps decoding and Wi-Fi 6 support for smooth streaming .
Comparative Overview
| Feature | S905X5 | S905X5M | S905Y5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node | 6 nm Gen2 | 6 nm | 6 nm |
| CPU Cores | Armv9 Quad (Cortex-A510) | Cortex-A55 Quad | Cortex-A55 Quad |
| GPU | Mali-G310 V5 @1 GHz | Mali-G310 V2 | Mali-G31 MP2 |
| AI NPU | 4 TOPS | – | – |
| Max Video Output | 2×4K@60p AV1/H.266 | 4K@60p AV1/H.265 | 4K@60p AV1/H.265 |
| HDR Support | HDR10 | HDR10 | HDR10 |
| Target Products | High-end streaming hubs | Mid-range boxes, sticks | Budget OTT boxes, SBCs |
Industry Adoption
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Multiple Android 14 TV sticks and smart home hubs announced with S905X5M, indicating strong OEM uptake.
Conclusion
The S905X5 series offers tiered solutions: S905X5 for high-performance 4K AI-driven experiences, S905X5M for cost-effective mid-range deployment, and S905Y5 for energy-efficient entry-level products. OEMs can select the optimal SoC to balance performance, power, and price—ensuring future-ready devices that meet diverse market needs.
