FWIW, updating my X96 S905X 2/16G to Android 7.1.2 allows it to run the NG 9.2.4.2, in a stable manner. No more segmentation faults locking up the device and making it unusable. Is there some special sauce in Android 7.1.2 that makes it possible or was the stock firmware for my box just garbage? Who can say, but it finally works.
Thanks DEVs, you folks are amazing!