24 June 2025
4 min read

Introduction to Allwinner Chips for TV Boxes and Smart TVs

Shenzhen, China, 24 June 2025 ---- Allwinner is a Chinese company known for making low-cost SoC (System on Chip) solutions used in Android TV boxes, smart TVs, tablets, and other multimedia devices. While not as widely known as Amlogic or Rockchip in the high-end market, Allwinner offers competitive options for budget and entry-level devices. In this article, we will introduce four commonly used Allwinner chips in the TV box and smart TV space: H618, H313, H716, and H303.

H618: A Budget Chip with AV1 Support

The Allwinner H618 is a cost-effective chip that brings support for modern video formats to budget TV boxes. It features a 4-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU, which is common in entry-level devices. It also comes with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, which supports basic 3D graphics and smooth video playback. The most important feature of the H618 is its support for AV1 video decoding. AV1 is a newer video codec that allows better video compression, making it possible to stream high-quality video with less bandwidth. The chip also supports 4K at 60 frames per second and HDR10, which gives better contrast and color on supported displays. The H618 is often used in affordable TV boxes that aim to offer modern streaming capabilities without a high cost.

H313: Basic Performance for Entry-Level Devices

The Allwinner H313 is one of the most basic chips in the Allwinner lineup for TV boxes. It uses a 4-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and a Mali-G31 GPU. It supports 4K video decoding with H.265 and VP9, but it does not support AV1. This chip is aimed at low-end devices that only need to handle simple streaming tasks, such as watching YouTube or using basic Android apps. There is no built-in support for HDR or advanced display features, so the H313 is best suited for users who don’t need high-quality video or gaming performance. It is commonly found in the cheapest Android TV boxes on the market.

H716: Designed for Better Performance and AI

The H716 is a newer and more powerful chip from Allwinner, designed to compete in the mid-range segment. It includes a 4-core ARM Cortex-A55 CPU, which provides better performance and efficiency compared to the older A53 cores. The GPU is also upgraded to handle better graphics performance. One of the key features of the H716 is its support for AI tasks, such as voice processing and image recognition, thanks to a built-in neural processing unit (NPU). It supports 4K video decoding with AV1, H.265, and VP9, and also includes HDR10 and HLG support. The H716 is suitable for TV boxes and smart TVs that want to offer a smoother user experience, voice assistant features, and better picture quality.

H303: Entry-Level Chip for Basic 4K Streaming

The Allwinner H303 is another entry-level chip, similar to the H313, but with slightly improved multimedia capabilities. It also uses a 4-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU and comes with a Mali-G31 GPU. It supports 4K video playback with H.265 and VP9, but like the H313, it does not include AV1 support. The H303 can handle basic 4K streaming and is mainly used in budget TV boxes that need a simple but reliable solution. It lacks advanced features like HDR or AI support, so it is best for very basic media playback or casual use.

Comparison Summary

Allwinner provides a range of TV box chips that are mostly focused on the budget segment. The H618 stands out for offering AV1 and HDR support at a low price. The H313 and H303 are good choices for basic streaming devices with simple needs. The H716 is a newer chip with better performance and AI capabilities, making it suitable for mid-range devices with smarter features. Depending on what kind of device you want to build or use, there is likely an Allwinner chip that fits your needs and budget.

About Allwinner

Allwinner Technology was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Zhuhai, China. It has R & D centers in Beijing, Shenzhen and other places. As a representative domestic chip company, its core technologies cover ultra - high - definition video codec, multi - core heterogeneous integration and low - power design. Its product lines include multiple series such as A, F, H, R, T, V, and X.

ModelCPUGPUAV1HDRAI/NPUTarget Use
S905DCortex-A53Mali-450 MP3NoBasic HDR10NoHybrid TV boxes (Live + Streaming)
S905LCortex-A53Mali-450 MP3NoLimitedNoCheap streamers (YouTube/Netflix)
S905X4Cortex-A55Mali-G31 MP2YesHDR10/HLG/Dolby VisionNoMid-range 4K boxes
S905X5Cortex-A510Mali-G57YesHDR10+/Dolby VisionYesHigh-end smart TVs & AI TV boxes

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