My favorite projector from last year, the JMGO N1 Ultra, is set to receive an upgrade at IFA 2024 in Berlin. The JMGO N1S Ultimate is the company’s new flagship projector, offering similar smart features, the same brilliant design with a built-in gimbal system, and more.
Last year’s model lacked Netflix support, but the N1S Ultimate now includes Netflix certification, so you no longer need a workaround to binge-watch on the platform.
It’s an “S” upgrade rather than a numeral one, meaning most aspects remain the same, but there are enough improvements to warrant the “Ultimate” title. I’ve been using the JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K projector for the past two weeks, and here’s what you need to know about the next-gen JMGO flagship.
Form And Function
The JMGO N1S Ultimate looks elegant. It features a darker grey color and maintains the two-tone finish. I’ve placed it in my living room alongside the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, which looks more luxurious in gold. However, the N1S Ultimate blends in seamlessly with the decor.
I preferred using the JMGO N1 Ultra over XGIMI’s projector because of the built-in gimbal system, which is still present on the N1S Ultimate, with a turntable at the bottom. As a result, you don’t need to spend extra on a stand, only a mount if you wish to attach it to the ceiling.
The JMGO N1S Ultimate can rotate up or down by 135 degrees, making it easy to set up on the projection wall or screen. The gimbal system stays securely in place and doesn’t move unintentionally. The turntable underneath can be used to adjust the horizontal orientation.
The JMGO projector is easier to set up and use compared to the XGIMI Horizon Ultra. Plus, the bundled carrying case means you can take it with you to parties if needed. The N1 Ultra was my projector of choice at my dad’s retirement party in May.
The back of the JMGO N1S Ultimate, you get one HDMI 2.1 port, another HDMI 2.1 port with ARC, a USB 2.0 port, and a 3.5mm jack. The eARC support allows you to add a soundbar to it. On the front, you’ll find the projection lens with ToF sensors for autofocus and keystone correction.
Overall, the JMGO N1S Ultimate remains a premium projector, and the gimbal mount makes it extremely easy to use.
JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K Goes Big, Bright And Vivid
The JMGO N1S Ultimate can project up to a 180-inch screen and delivers 3,500 ANSI Lumens of brightness. While the previous flagship was claimed to reach 4,000 ANSI Lumens (which was directly converted from CVIA Lumens and was later removed from the website), the Ultimate appears sharper and brighter.
I was initially confused about this, and the company clarified that “3,500 Lumens is the actual value,” with a “viewable image at the highest brightness.” This means the projector can project an image at 3,500 ANSI Lumens without compromising the contrast ratio. It offers a 1600:1 FOFO contrast ratio and 110% BT.2020 gamut coverage.
The JMGO N1S Ultimate supports 4K UHD resolution, a 1600:1 contrast ratio, HDR10, motion smoothing (which can be turned off), and native Netflix support. It uses a triple-laser RGB light source doesn’t require any lamp replacements. Content is streamed over Wi-Fi 6.
I used the JMGO N1S Ultimate on my mildly off-white wall without a projection screen. It’s really easy to set up. I didn’t need to manually adjust the keystone correction because it automatically scaled the screen size according to the available wall dimensions. I just had to point and adjust the gimbal to the wall. If needed, you can later adjust the screen size with the 4-point keystone correction, which is easier than XGIMI’s software.
I have a naturally bright living room, so I had to pull the curtains in the afternoon. The brightness intensity automatically adjusts based on ambient lighting, but I suggest dimming the room for the best experience. I watched shows on Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube during my testing. Dark scenes in movies featured deep blacks and detailed shadows where needed.
The JMGO N1S Ultimate offers sharp, bright and vivid picture quality. It features several picture modes with varying presets. You’ll need to fine-tune them to your liking to get the most out of the projector, which I also realized with the N1 Ultra.
The two 10W drivers on the JMGO N1S Ultimate are serviceable and come with Dolby Audio and DTS decoding certifications. However, to fully enjoy the excellent picture quality, I suggest connecting an external speaker or soundbar. With the right sound setup, it’s a cinema-like experience at home.
As for hardware, the JMGO N1S Ultimate is powered by the same MediaTek MT9629 processor as the N1 Ultra, paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It loads content faster than some TVs I’ve tested recently. It runs Google TV, so you can download the necessary streaming apps from the Play Store. The interface is straightforward and easy to navigate.
The remote now resembles the one from the OnePlus TV I tested last year. It features buttons for the most-used streaming apps like Prime Video and Netflix, alongside dedicated buttons for YouTube and input selection. Apart from that, you get the usual volume rockers, settings button, and more. The remote is intuitive, and I didn’t need any time to get used to it.
JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K Projector Review: Verdict
The JMGO N1S Ultimate sits above the Ultra model with a listing price of $2,799. It will go on sale September 7 on Amazon.
The JMGO N1S Ultimate offers 4K UHD resolution with up to a 180-inch screen size, a 1600:1 FOFO contrast ratio, and 110% BT.2020 gamut coverage. It’s big, sharp at high resolution, and vivid. All of this is packed into hardware that’s easy to set up and transportable. It’s expensive, but if you’re in the market for a premium projector that works without getting into technicalities, it’s a great option.
