RockTek G2 Next Review
The RockTek G2 Next is a silent, passively cooled Google TV box with Android TV 14, a 2.5GHz Amlogic S905X5M, Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet and Dolby Vision and Atmos support, using just 3.6W at full load.
What we liked
- Silent passive cooling
- Low power use (3.6W at full load)
- Much faster than the original G2
- Dolby Vision and Atmos support
- Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet
Could be better
- Mixed Android gaming
In this article
What is the RockTek G2 Next?
The RockTek G2 Next is a compact Google TV box running Android TV 14 on an Amlogic S905X5M processor with Mali-G310 V2 graphics. It has 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Gigabit Ethernet and an HDMI 2.1b port for 4K video.
Introduction
This RockTek G2 Next review covers the latest RockTek addition to the DROIX range of Android TV Boxes, a TV streaming box built to turn any TV or monitor into a smarter entertainment hub. I tested power use, temperatures, benchmarks, Android TV 14 apps, Jellyfin, VPN software and retro emulation, and compared everything against the original RockTek G2.
If you want a 4K Android TV box with more connections than a basic streaming stick, this RockTek G2 Next review shows where the extra performance matters. The RockTek G2 Next is one of the more capable Android gadgets for the living room, and this Android box adds a faster processor, newer graphics and Bluetooth 5.2 to the formula.
Testing conditions
- Device: RockTek G2 Next (Google TV / Android TV 14)
- Chipset: Amlogic S905X5M, Mali-G310 V2 graphics
- Memory and storage: 4GB LPDDR4, 64GB eMMC 5.1
- Comparison device: RockTek G2
- Items tested: power usage, temperature, Geekbench 5, AnTuTu, 3DMark (Slingshot and Wild Life Extreme), Dolby and HDR formats, Jellyfin, VPN and streaming software, RetroArch emulation
RockTek G2 Next Overview
The RockTek G2 Next measures 3.89 x 3.89 x 0.86 inches (99 x 99 x 22 mm) and weighs around 141 g (0.31 lbs). This part of the RockTek G2 Next review starts with the hardware, and it is a small, light box that is easy to tuck behind a TV.
The front keeps a clean design with no ports or power buttons. On the left are a USB Type-C port and a USB Type-A port for peripherals such as external storage. On the back are a micro SD card slot, an optical output, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI 2.1b port and a USB Type-C port for powering the device, while a power status LED sits on the top.
The remote measures 7.08 x 1.57 x 0.66 inches (180 x 40 x 16.8 mm) and weighs around 61 g (0.13 lbs) without batteries. From top to bottom you get a number pad, a voice control button, navigation buttons, volume controls and shortcut buttons for popular apps such as YouTube and Netflix.
RockTek G2 Next Technical Specifications
The RockTek G2 Next features the Amlogic S905X5M running at up to 2.5GHz, with the Mali-G310 V2 powering the graphics. This is the processor and GPU pairing behind the performance gains in this RockTek G2 Next review.
There is 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. You can of course increase the storage with a micro SD card or USB drives. For communications there is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless, and RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet for wired connections. That makes it a dependable Wi-Fi 6 streaming box whether you connect wirelessly or by cable.
We tested the power usage during our review. On standby we saw 0.8W, around 1.5W idle on the Home screen, watching a film used 3W, and full load reached 3.6W. The RockTek G2 Next is passively cooled, so there is no fan noise to worry about. On average usage, while watching a film, we measured a high of 37°C in temperature.
RockTek G2 Next vs RockTek G2 Technical Specs
This table compares the RockTek G2 Next with the original RockTek G2 side by side. Read our original RockTek G2 review here.
| Specification | RockTek G2 Next | RockTek G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Google Certified Android TV 14 OS | Android 14 |
| CPU | Amlogic S905X5M, 6nm, 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 | Amlogic S905X4-K, quad-core |
| CPU frequency | Up to 2.5GHz | Up to 2.0GHz |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G310 V2 | ARM Mali-G31 MP2 |
| GPU API support | OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.2, OpenCL 2.2 | Not specified |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC 5.1 | 64GB eMMC 5.1 |
| Storage expansion | Micro SD / TF card up to 128GB, SDHC/SDXC | 1 x Micro SD card slot |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO 2T2R, 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5 |
| Ethernet | RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100/1000Mbps | RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100/1000Mbps |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1b, 4K x 2K at 60fps | HDMI 2.1 |
| Audio I/O | S/PDIF optical | AV and S/PDIF optical |
| USB | 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB-C power | 1 x USB Type-A 2.0, 1 x USB Type-A 3.0 |
| Listed dimensions | 3.89 x 3.89 x 0.86 inches (99 x 99 x 22 mm) | 4.33 x 4.25 x 0.9 inches (110 x 108 x 23 mm) |
| Listed weight | 141 g (0.31 lbs) | 142g (0.31 lbs) |
| Supplied accessories | Power adaptor, HDMI cable, user manual, Bluetooth remote control | Power plug, HDMI cable, Bluetooth remote control, user manual |
RockTek G2 Next System Benchmarks
For the benchmarks in this RockTek G2 Next review, we compared the new model with the original RockTek G2 to see what the performance differences are. Across all three tests the newer box comes out clearly ahead.
Geekbench 5
In Geekbench 5 the RockTek G2 Next gains about 35.4% in single-core and about 47.6% in multi-core over the original RockTek G2. That is a noticeable step up for menu responsiveness and app loading.
| Geekbench 5 | RockTek G2 | RockTek G2 Next |
|---|---|---|
| Single core | 144 | 195 |
| Multi-core | 456 | 673 |
AnTuTu
The RockTek G2 Next scores about 49.8% higher than the RockTek G2 in AnTuTu. The overall system score rises from 112,678 to 168,775, which reflects the faster CPU and newer GPU working together.
| AnTuTu | Score |
|---|---|
| RockTek G2 | 112,678 |
| RockTek G2 Next | 168,775 |
3DMark
The graphics gain is the biggest in this RockTek G2 Next review: the RockTek G2 Next scores about 168.5% higher in Slingshot, and it also completes Wild Life Extreme, which the RockTek G2 did not run. That points to the Mali-G310 V2 being a much stronger GPU for games and emulation.
| 3DMark | RockTek G2 | RockTek G2 Next |
|---|---|---|
| Slingshot | 593 | 1592 |
| Wild Life Extreme | Did not run | 152 |
Video and Audio Formats Compatibility
Format support is a key part of any RockTek G2 Next review. We can’t try every setup for video and audio formats, so here is what we know or have tried. Video and audio formats can depend on whether your software actually supports them.
Dolby Vision, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos all work fine with apps such as Plex and Jellyfin, while Dolby Digital Plus works with Netflix and Prime Video. HDR10 and HDR10+ are supported and work.
Android TV Overview
Android and Google TV 14 has a simple, easy-to-follow interface, and it is a big part of why our RockTek G2 Next review is positive. The Home screen of this Android TV 14 box highlights top recommendations, along with shortcut apps you can customise for fast access. Underneath you’ll find Channels, where you can install apps tailored to your region.
After that come lists of media, including Movies and TV shows you can watch. You can browse by genre, recommended titles and plenty more.
The Movies and TV shows sections work in much the same way, but are separated into their own areas, each with a range of suggestions and categories to explore.
The Apps section focuses on what you’ve already installed, or what you can download and install from the Play Store. There’s a wide choice of extra apps, including news, sports, media players and more.
Software Overview
In daily use, the software side of this RockTek G2 Next review is flexible, because you can add your own software from the Google Play Store or from other sources. The store offers plenty of popular apps to download and install. Alternatively, you can use the web browser to download unofficially supported apps, which generally should run without any problems.
In particular we tested Jellyfin, a media player that links to a self-hosted server, which makes this an Android TV box for Kodi and Jellyfin users alike. I run a Jellyfin server in my home lab, and I had no trouble connecting and streaming media while testing in the office. Kodi will of course run fine if you use that. We also set up a VPN and streaming software, and everything worked perfectly, as you would expect.
Gaming and Emulation Overview
Gaming is the area of this RockTek G2 Next review with the most caveats, as Android gaming is a mixed bag of what works and what doesn’t. Games need to be controller compatible to work, and even then not all of them are compatible with all controllers.
Emulation fares better with apps such as RetroArch. You can enjoy a wide range of classic systems up to around the PlayStation 1 era, and all of your 8-bit and 16-bit systems will run great. For the PS1 you can increase the rendering resolution to 2x or 3x depending on how demanding the game is, while PSP emulation is mixed and depends on how demanding the game is.
Final Thoughts
To close this RockTek G2 Next review, the RockTek G2 Next is a clear step up from the original RockTek G2. It brings a faster 2.5GHz Amlogic S905X5M, stronger Mali-G310 V2 graphics, Bluetooth 5.2 and Google Certified Android TV 14. Benchmark gains range from about 35% to 50% in Geekbench 5 and AnTuTu, and reach about 168% in 3DMark Slingshot.
Format support is a real strength of the Android TV 14 box. Dolby Vision, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos play well in Plex and Jellyfin, Dolby Digital Plus works in Netflix and Prime Video, and HDR10 and HDR10+ are both supported, so a good TV and sound system gets plenty to work with.
You should buy the RockTek G2 Next if you want a quick, quiet and low-power TV streaming box with Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet, optical audio and micro SD expansion. If you own the original RockTek G2, the upgrade makes sense for the faster processor, much stronger graphics and newer wireless. If you’re still weighing up options, our Firestick alternatives guide is a useful companion read.
Our verdict – Is the RockTek G2 Next worth buying?
Short answer: Yes, particularly as an upgrade from the original RockTek G2 or as a quiet, efficient Android TV 14 box for streaming.
Best for: Home streaming, Jellyfin and Plex users, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos setups, and retro gaming up to the PlayStation 1 era.
Not ideal for: Demanding Android games or PSP titles that need more graphics power.
Current status: Retail model on sale at DROIX with a one-year warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RockTek G2 Next worth buying?
Yes, the RockTek G2 Next is worth buying if you want a Google TV box with Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit Ethernet and strong format support. It scores about 49.8% higher than the RockTek G2 in AnTuTu while using 3.6W at full load.
Is the RockTek G2 Next faster than the RockTek G2?
Yes, the RockTek G2 Next is faster in every benchmark we ran. Geekbench 5 gives 195 single-core and 673 multi-core, against 144 and 456 for the RockTek G2.
Does the RockTek G2 Next support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos?
Yes, Dolby Vision, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos all work with apps such as Plex and Jellyfin. Dolby Digital Plus works with Netflix and Prime Video, and HDR10 and HDR10+ are supported.
Can the RockTek G2 Next run emulators?
Yes, the RockTek G2 Next runs RetroArch well for 8-bit, 16-bit and PlayStation 1 systems. PSP emulation is mixed and depends on how demanding the game is. Keep in mind this is not designed for gaming in general.
Does the RockTek G2 Next have a fan?
No, the RockTek G2 Next is passively cooled, so there is no fan noise. We measured a high of 37°C while watching a film.
Questions & comments
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