The Xgimi Mogo Pro+ is a portable pico-projector that boasts Full HD capabilities and features an LED light source with a claimed brightness of 300 lumens. It closely resembles its predecessor, the Mogo Pro, with a few notable enhancements.
Introduction
The Xgimi Mogo Pro+ builds upon the foundation laid by the Mogo Pro, incorporating key features like a Harman Kardon audio system comprising two speakers and a radiator, a 10,400 mAh battery offering several hours of autonomy, and the unmodified native version of Google’s Android TV system. This integration provides easy access to the Google Play Store and various streaming applications like MyCanal, OCS, Molotov TV, RMC Sports, and MyTF1, among others, without any additional configuration. However, it’s worth noting that Netflix still presents installation challenges via the Google Play Store, attributed to Netflix rather than the projector itself. Another standout feature is the front camera, enabling the Mogo Pro+ to focus automatically and correct keystone distortion, a practical feature for those frequently on the move. The Mogo Pro+ retains the Amlogic T950X2 (S905X2) quad-core Cortex-A53 (1.8 GHz) processor, Mali-G31 GPU, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of storage. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, with Bluetooth serving not only for connecting external speakers but also enabling the projector to function as a speaker.
The Texas Instruments DLP230NP 0.23″ DMD chip is identical to its predecessor, offering a native qHD resolution of 960 x 540 pixels but utilizing a 240 Hz wobble to effectively display native Full HD content at 1920 x 1080 pixels and 60 Hz. In practical terms, this results in a native Full HD image on the screen or wall. The brightness remains consistent at 300 lumens.
The primary distinctions between the Mogo Pro+ and the Mogo Pro are the addition of a kickstand for adjusting image tilt and the relocation of the camera, facilitating automatic keystone correction and focus.
The price of the Xgimi Mogo Pro+ typically hovers around €650, but it is frequently available at less than €500. The Mogo Pro still offers a compelling option, often priced between €400 and €450.
2D Image Quality
The Xgimi Mogo Pro+ features fixed focal length optics, allowing it to project an image ranging from 80 cm to 2.40 meters with a projection distance spanning 1 meter to 2.6 meters. For measurement purposes, we positioned the projector at 2.4 meters to achieve a 2-meter diagonal image. However, for optimal brightness (40 cd/m²), we recommend keeping the projector within 1.5 meters of the screen. The Mogo Pro+ features an automatic focusing and keystone correction system that activates when the projector is moved, ensuring a clear image. Despite displaying a Full HD image, the Mogo Pro+ employs wobulation, rapidly displaying several offset qHD images at 240 Hz. This wobulation technique ultimately produces a Full HD 60Hz image with 1920 x 1080 pixels, albeit with slightly reduced sharpness compared to native Full HD models. This reduction is most noticeable on large screens exceeding 2 meters in diagonal size, which is not the primary use case for this picoprojector. Nonetheless, the optics perform admirably.
In both Soft and Custom modes with a warm color temperature setting, we measured an average delta E of 8.6, falling short of the threshold (3) below which the human eye cannot perceive color differences. Consequently, color accuracy is imperfect, and Xgimi seems to have made limited efforts to enhance it since the release of the original Mogo and the Mogo Pro. While the average delta E remains below 10, beyond this point, colors become increasingly inaccurate, undermining the reproduction of films and TV series.
The gamma performance has also remained unchanged, with an average of 1.8, notably lower than the reference value of 2.2. Additionally, the gamma curve lacks stability, resulting in overexposed light grays.
The color temperature curve demonstrates decent stability, but the average temperature, measured at 7650 K, is somewhat distant from the cinema reference of 6500 K. Reducing the LED power to 50% in custom mode lowers the average temperature to 6600 K, but this significantly reduces the projector’s brightness.
The contrast ratio measures at 245:1, which is quite low in absolute terms but typical for this type of picoprojector. Wobulation DLP chips like the one used in the Mogo Pro+ divide light power across four images, limiting its contrast. The peak brightness reaches 17 cd/m², slightly better than the Mogo Pro’s 13 cd/m². Nevertheless, the low contrast results in washed-out blacks, necessitating near-total darkness for satisfactory image quality. The Mogo Pro+ is ideal for bedroom use.
The LED backlighting system minimizes the rainbow effect, as it doesn’t rely on a segmented color wheel. This effect is only noticeable on a white test pattern against a black background when making exaggerated head movements. LED backlighting offers the advantages of instant startup and a lifespan of 30,000 hours, a significant improvement over conventional lamp projectors, which typically offer 6,000 to 10,000 hours of usage.
Display latency remains unchanged, measured at 41.3 ms. This corresponds to a slight delay of less than three frames from the source, resulting in a subtle lag between controller input and on-screen response. However, this is generally not a significant issue, as it falls short of the noticeable delay that typically occurs at display delays exceeding 50 ms. It poses no problems for solo gaming, but competitive gamers may seek lower latency.
Functions and Ergonomics
Measuring 14.6 x 10.6 x 9.5 cm and weighing 900 grams, the Xgimi Mogo Pro+ is not the most compact picoprojector but offers a good power-to-size and weight ratio. It includes a battery providing several hours of autonomous operation.
Compared to the Mogo Pro, the Mogo Pro+ is now black, and the camera has been relocated to the base of the projector, rather than beside the optics. This camera facilitates automatic focus and keystone correction. Upon startup, the projector displays a test pattern to adjust these parameters. When the projector is moved, it recalibrates the image, a practical feature for daily use.
The bottom of the projector features a screw thread for tripod attachment and a kickstand for adjusting the projector’s tilt. The top includes three touch-sensitive control buttons for play/pause and volume adjustment. These buttons also serve as playback controls and volume adjustments when using the projector as a Bluetooth speaker. A charging status LED indicator is also present.
Connectivity options consist of a 3.5 mm jack analog audio output, an HDMI input, and a USB 2.0 port. The Mogo Pro+ also supports 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, along with Bluetooth 5.0.
The power supply for the Xgimi Mogo is relatively compact, with the bulkiness mainly attributed to the three-pole cable. The power supply can deliver up to 65 W, although actual consumption remains under 40 W during operation. This ample capacity is likely for extreme usage scenarios involving heavy processor load and USB port use.
The Mogo was the first picoprojector to feature Android TV. The Pro+ version maintains the same foundation, running Android TV 9.0 in its unaltered native form. This grants access to the full array of applications on the Google Play Store, including video streaming apps like Molotov TV, MyCanal, MyTF1, OCS, RMC Sports, Amazon Prime, and more. However, Netflix installation remains a challenge, as it is not directly compatible with the Xgimi projector. While Netflix installation may appear to proceed normally, launching the app results in an error message. Fortunately, an alternative approach to installing Netflix is available through Xgimi’s DesktopManager app, accessible on the Google Play Store. This app essentially provides access to the web version of Netflix. It supports a maximum resolution of 720p HD and utilizes a virtual mouse controlled by the remote control’s directional pad. While functional, this method is less than ideal. Aside from Netflix, Android TV includes features like voice assistance and Chromecast.
The Mogo remote control is equipped with a microphone, an essential component for using Google Assistant integrated into the Android TV system. Google Assistant enables voice searches, app launches, and control of other compatible devices such as smart bulbs, thermostats, and blinds. The remote control is lightweight, with easily accessible buttons. Only the power button is backlit upon pressing, and although backlighting for all buttons would be preferred, the remote’s limited button count allows users to adapt quickly.
Consumption and Noise Level
The Xgimi Mogo Pro+ consumes 37 W with maximum backlight and a resulting brightness of 17 cd/m². This consumption aligns with expectations for a compact LED projector and remains significantly lower than lamp-based projectors, which often exceed 230 W. The 10,400 mAh battery recharges in under 2 hours and provides slightly over 2 hours and 25 minutes of battery life (measured while streaming on YouTube with low audio volume), enabling users to enjoy a movie or several episodes without needing a power source nearby.
Operational noise levels are modest, measuring 36.5 dB(A) from one meter behind the projector. Custom settings allow users to reduce LED power to 50%, rendering the projector virtually silent. However, this diminishes image brightness, which may not be suitable for all scenarios.
Conclusion
In summary, the Xgimi Mogo Pro+ represents an excellent picoprojector option, building upon the foundation established by the Mogo Pro while introducing valuable improvements. Automatic keystone correction and focus, coupled with Android TV integration, simplify daily use. Furthermore, the ability to project such a large image from such a compact device continues to impress.
Nevertheless, there is room for improvement in factory calibration and addressing the Netflix compatibility issue. Despite these shortcomings, the Mogo Pro+ remains an outstanding choice within the portable picoprojector segment, offering a compelling combination of features and capabilities.
STRONG POINTS
- Full HD definition.
- Built-in Android TV and Google Assistant.
- Native access to French streaming applications (MyCanal, Molotov, RMC, OCS, etc.).
- Automatic focus and keystone correction via camera.
- Remote control with microphone.
- Autonomous (integrated battery).
- Silent.
- Consumption.
WEAK POINTS
- Calibration could be improved.
- Limited contrast.
- Low light.
- Unable to install Netflix natively.
- No backlight on the remote control.
