Review: Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K UHD – a capable smart projector with Android support

Xgimi’s up-market cube shaped 4K projector offers good colour reproduction, and an Android interface.

Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K UHD projector and remote control.

Projectors are making a comeback with set-top-box functionality built in. You view a smart TV-style menu when you switch them on, such as Google Android TV. In January Samsung entered this market with its portable freestyle projector announced at the global Consumer Electronic Show.

There are already many other devices of this type, including by Xgimi which has a suite of projectors on the Australian market.

The Horizon Pro is a capable cube shaped 4K projector that is self focusing and has an array of ports at the back: 2 HDMI, 2 USB 2, Ethernet and optical audio connections. You can connect all kinds of set-top box devices and project them. Optical audio lets you connect the device to a home theatre sound system.

This high end Xgimi costs a recommended $2499 and supports both 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels) and HDR. Images are crisp with natural colour on my screen at home. Colour is not overly vivid.

Audio is strong but has the limitation of a mono system. It doesn’t feel immersive when sitting away from the device. But you can connect the unit to your living room or home theatre audio for a better result.

The Horizon Home 4K isn’t a portable projector, rather a big cube that’s light enough to carry from room to room but heavy for any lengthy travel. This is a stay-on-the-stand unit. If you need portability, consider the Xgimi Mogo Pro 1080p Ultra Lightweight that sells in Australia for $849.

The major concern for smaller projectors is the bulb brightness and its longevity. Brightness is particularly important if you want to use the projector during the day.

Xgimi rates the Horizon 4K brightness at 2200 ANSI lumens. That is well ahead of the Samsung Freestyle with 550 lumens brightness costing $1295 but with only full HD (1080p) resolution, not 4K like the Xgimi.

Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K UHD projector

If we look at conventional Epson projectors, you can buy a 3000 lumens 4K UHD unit with a 12 month/750 hours lamp warranty for $2599, if you shop around (Model EH-TW7100 $Ke). That’s brighter again. But you don’t have the built in smart TV functionality.

The Xgimi projector excels when it comes to the menu interface. When I switch the projector on, it autofocuses and boots into Google Android TV, which offers the best range of TV apps of any system.

The main streaming service apps include Netflix, Stan, Prime Video and Disney+, along with ABC iView, SBS On Demand and commercial catch-up TV services. They are all there. The main menu displays recommended content from some of these services. You can access curated movies without having to load the apps.

The main menu is configurable. I could easily rearrange the apps on the main menu to suit me with favourite apps at easy reach.

You can also cast a movie from an Android phone onto the screen using the in-built Chromecast capability. The Xgimi has a slimline remote control with a relatively easy set up.

The projector autofocuses well and has automatic and manual keystone correction, which is useful if your room set up forces you to project from an angle. I did find you had to do manual tweaking for keystone correction though.

Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K UHD projector

There is no vertical adjustment capability so I had to place a book under the front to angle the image upwards.

There are of course alternatives to a regular projector set up. You could opt for an ultra short throw projector that you place almost beneath the screen rather than project from across the room. You will pay more but won’t have to set up a projector station area across a room.

Another option is a Laser TV comprising a short throw projector with a smart TV interface and TV tuner. The projector is calibrated to work with a supplied screen.

Hisense currently offers a 100-inch 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser TV which is on sale for $3995 from one of Australia’s major retailers. That’s $1000 off the recommended price.

If you settle for a conventional projector with an Android TV interface, the Xgimi Horizon Pro 4K UHD is a good choice. It offers good quality projection with a lamp that’s bright enough for daytime viewing in a darkened room, and access to a great variety of apps in the Android system. But the lamp isn’t as bright as with some standard Epson projectors.

It doesn’t fit the category of portable projectors, but it doesn’t try to. $2499 recommended.