Xgimi launches its brightest projector yet, hides another inside a ceiling lamp

Xgimi has two new projectors for the US, its brightest ever 4K smart projector and a 3-in-1 unit that’s also a ceiling light and Bluetooth speaker. Both long-throw projectors run Google TV.

Xgimi says its 4K Horizon Max can produce 3,100 ISO Lumens from its “Dual Light 2.0” laser and LED hybrid light source. It’s worth noting, however, that Xgimi has admitted to overstating brightness scores by as much as 27 percent in the past — something it corrected only after facing a lawsuit from Epson.

Its brightness, coupled with the projector’s reported contrast (2000:1), DTS audio support, and color accuracy earned the Horizon Max an IMAX Enhanced certification. That means it can play IMAX Enhanced content from Disney Plus and other streaming platforms.

Otherwise, the Horizon Max, like other modern smart projectors, can automatically find the best spot on the wall to project its image, while adding a new feature that remembers settings for specific walls. The so-called Intelligent Screen Adaptation (v5.0) tech can remember your gaming settings when pointed at one wall, and transition to movie settings when pointed at your other wall.

The Aladdin is a new ceiling light projector from Xgimi based on old IP it acquired after purchasing Japan’s Popin. In fact, Xgimi’s Aladdin looks to be specced the same as Popin’s current Aladdin 2 Plus which lists for ¥129,800 (about $897). It attaches directly to the light socket already installed in your ceiling to produce a 1080P (1920 x 1080) image of up to 100-inches. The integrated lamp can be controlled directly from the projector’s remote control or through the Xgimi App, but it’s not compatible with Matter or any other smart home ecosystems. It generates 360-degree sound from built-in Harman Kardon speakers which can also be used when the projector lamp is turned off, too.

Both projectors make the jump from Android TV to Google TV, which has the benefit of allowing Netflix to work out of the box. Installing Netflix onto Android TV-based smart projectors (which is most of them) usually requires side-loading the popular app from some oddball site due to Netflix’s onerous certification process — something most people aren’t comfortable with.

Xgimi isn’t providing final prices or exact release dates for either of today’s projectors. It does say that the Horizon Max will cost less than $3,000 and is anticipated to ship in “late 2024,” while detailed specs, pricing, and availability of the Xgimi Aladdin “will be announced at a later date.”