Katarzyna Petru
Wanbo, a Chinese brand known for budget projectors, has released a new portable model that is already causing controversy. The Vali 1 is expected to cost below £300, and the manufacturer promises brightness that more expensive devices would not be ashamed of.
Equipment that has everything at hand
Wanbo Vali 1 is a portable Full HD 1080p projector with Android TV 11, so we can access Netflix or YouTube without any additional devices. It features two 6 W speakers, supports an image up to 130 inches, and comes with a complete set of automatic functions — trapezoidal correction, screen adjustment, and autofocus. Additionally, the projector has a rotating base with a range of 200°, allowing us to set it up practically anywhere.
Declaration That Sounds Too Good
The manufacturer states that the Vali 1 reaches a brightness of 900 ANSI lumens. By comparison, the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 offers 230 lumens, the XGMI MoGo 3 Pro – 450, and the LG CineBeam Q (4K) – 500. If these figures were true, Wanbo would offer twice the brightness of most competitors in a similar price range.
Reality vs. Marketing
The editorial team at Projector Central decided to check these bold claims. The result? Actual brightness is 422 lumens, with a maximum reading of 529 lumens at the bottom of the image. That's less than half of the promised value and a significant difference that may discourage many buyers.
Uncertainties and Unanswered Questions
Is this a flaw of the tested unit, or just a marketing exaggeration? HDTVTest has not yet confirmed these results, but if they turn out to be true, the vision of “vivid and saturated colors in a bright living room” quickly fades away.
Cheap experiment for the brave
Despite the doubts, the price of £269 (1,385 zł) may attract those who are willing to take a risk and see the projector for themselves. After all, in this price range, it is still difficult to find equipment that lives up to all the manufacturer's promises.
