QUOTE(tanhks @ Jun 30 2018, 02:34 AM)
For android box, you can't upgrade it's Android operating system.
Example android box you bought a year ago come with Android version 6, but now (year 2018) the latest Android version is 8.1, you can't upgrade your android box's OS to latest version.
For smartphone (like htc), HTC company provide Android OS upgrade.
Smartphone you bought a year ago come with Android version 6, can be upgraded to latest Android version 8.1.
So isn't it better to use smartphone for iptv?
Some smartphone (like htc Ultra) come with display port on USB-C, and you can connect a USB-C to hdmi adapter and can output display to big LED TV.
Hit n miss there brah.
1. While most cheap boxes can't be upgraded, yes.. Buuut, there are those that can. Either manual flashing or even ota for some, you do get upgraded to newer droid versions
2. Not all manufacturers update the firmware for all their fones. Buy something low enuff on the price scale, you're never ever gonna see a new droid version outside of rooting and manually flashing custom roms. Even then, not all fones have a fan/user base big enough to have dedicated devs releasing those.
Now, while using a fone (with way better specs and possibly newer droid version) is enticing, there's also issues.
Fones have only ONE usb port. Using usb hubs only work on some devices. Connecting additional devices will be a problem if that port is also your video out.
If your fone is also actively used (i.e. got line) having a call come in while watching a movie can really spoil it. No need to mention whatsapp notification of overly active groups / peeps.
Power source. Again problem with the usb port. Running too many apps WILL drain the fone battery and since usb is being used for vid out, no charging is gonna take place..
As a follow up to that, using a fone with non-replaceable battery, you will need to replace the whole fone after a while since batt use time will degrade
As droidboxes go, there's a lot more options now than previously and newer ones come with N or O out of the box with possible updates on some. Having good enough specs and not being tied to down to limitations of fones, they just make the work of choosing which one to use a no brainer. And as our fren said up there, boxes are waaaaaaayyy cheaper than an htc ultra.
So, I say, to each his own, but, really, the answer is pretty obvious though.