Out of the box, the XGIMI Horizon Pro looks rather similar to the H2 in shape and size, but the inner workings are naturally quite different. The Horizon Pro on its own clocks in at just under 3 kg. XGIMI does sell an official bag to store and transport the Horizon Pro for around $70, so there is an element of portability you won't get from bigger units out there. Even so, the XGIMI Horizon Pro is a so-called smart projector as it comes with Android TV 10.0 built-In. With its 2 GB memory, it should be able to handle most basic AV tasks just fine, and 32 GB of storage means you can install plenty of apps or add a few movies and shows to the device in advance if you won't have internet connectivity at your destination. XGIMI doesn't mention which processor is inside the unit, but it's probably a dual-core unit.
Looking at the front, there is the lens on the left and a sensor array for auto keystone and focus on the right. At the rear, XGIMI has placed a vent for internal active cooling to exhaust air. This is also where you will connect the power brick next to an optical output, two USB 2.0 ports, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, and an Ethernet port, as well as a headphone out at the very right.
Both sides of the XGIMI Horizon Pro feature a vent, which acts as an intake for airflow and a speaker grille for the built-in 8-watt Harman Kardon speakers.
Just like the MoGo or Halo series, the Horizon Pro sports a few buttons on the top of the unit for volume adjustment, play/pause, and power state.
In the front, XGIMI branded the lens with the official 4K logo to let you know that the projector is capable of the resolution. Naturally, it would have been nice to see a lens cover to further protect this part of the Horizon Pro—something their previous product offerings don't include, either. The sensor for auto keystone, object detection, and focus looks quite similar to what we have seen with their smaller MoGo series. Most of the magic happens in software which interprets the intake from these sensors based on the projected image.
Lastly, you will find mounting for a floor stand or the ability to attach it to the ceiling on the bottom. The inclusion of a kickstand to adjust the angle upwards just like with their more portable solutions would have been nice, but odds are the XGIMI Horizon Pro will find a more permanent spot in your living room setup anyways.
Taking a closer look at the remote, the black area comes with a circular 4-way interface and central OK button. Above that are the Google Assistant, quick settings, and power state buttons. Below it are the usual Android TV navigation keys and a pair of buttons for volume control. On the bottom above the battery compartment is an auto-focus button.
The remote takes two AAA batteries with its compartment popping out by pressing down on the little lock on the back. Once inserted, the center of gravity is very much towards the bottom of the unit. This means you can reach for the top buttons without worrying about the device tipping forward in your palm.
With the batteries, the XGIMI Horizon Pro remote tops 100 grams, which is nice and hefty. A modern cell phone, for comparison, weighs around 150 grams.
The power supply, on the other hand, clocks in at 700 grams, which is quite hefty as it needs to deliver 250 W. A small blue LED lights up as soon as it is connected to your wall socket, so you can easily troubleshoot whether your Horizon Pro is being fed electricity or not. The label with all the PSU specifications and safety labels is printed onto the actual plastic.
That said, the brick itself feels very sturdy and of high quality, with a gold-plated connector and nicely recessed power cable plug. Gone are the days where XGIMI used the basic black units for their devices.
Initial Setup
Before we dive into the use of the unit, you have to go through the usual motions of setting up the Horizon Pro just like any other Android TV based device. After pairing the remote when requested, you are first greeted by a 1 GB+ update that seems to optimize some pretty fundamental elements, like sound, picture quality, and input lag. Installing it is pretty straightforward, and the projector restarts after completing the process.
When operating, you can hear the soothing sound of the active cooling within the XGIMI Horizon Pro. Clocking in at 41.6 dBA at a mere 20 cm directly behind the unit's exhaust vent, any audio from your movie or game will easily drown this out. In comparison, a PlayStation 5 can be as loud as 41.5 dBA from even 3 feet away.