Xiaomi most likely desires to purchase its televisions first, however should you suppose that your current TV nonetheless has some life in it – the display screen, at the least – then the corporate has options on this entrance as effectively. Xiaomi has a small however delicate vary of streaming gadgets, which plug into the HDMI port of your tv and add good connectivity and capabilities. The most recent on this vary is the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, which is probably the most compact and succesful machine of its sort from the corporate to this point.
The value of Rs. 4,999 in India, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K comes with Extremely-HD streaming capabilities, together with assist for prime dynamic vary (HDR) content material as much as Dolby Imaginative and prescient format, and Dolby Atmos audio. It's additionally a lot smaller than the Mi Field 4K, permitting you to attach on to your TV's HDMI port the place it stays conveniently out of sight. Is that this the very best worth for cash streaming machine you should purchase proper now? Discover out on this evaluation.
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K runs on Android TV 11, with the brand new Google TV-like UI as seen right here
Design and specs Xiaomi TV Stick 4K
Like the unique Mi TV Stick, and luckily in contrast to the Mi Field 4K, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is small and lightweight sufficient to maintain it anchored to the again of your tv when related to the HDMI port . After all, you have to hook up with an influence supply, and generally, the connection to the USB-A port of your tv must be sufficient.
If that proves to be tough, an influence adapter is included within the field, and you may join it on to an influence outlet for a extra dependable provide. Additionally included within the field is an HDMI extension accent and distant to regulate the streaming machine. The “stick” itself is pretty nondescript with solely a single emblem on the outer aspect of its black floor, however that's utterly positive given that you simply'll most likely by no means see it in regular operation.
On the subject of specs, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K largely matches what most Android TV streaming gadgets provide. Because the title suggests, the machine helps streaming as much as Extremely-HD decision (3840×2160 pixels), with assist for prime dynamic vary content material as much as Dolby Imaginative and prescient format, in addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS HD audio assist.
The streaming machine has 2GB of RAM and 8GB of inner storage, and is powered by a quad-core processor, with Bluetooth 5 and dual-band Wi-Fi for connectivity. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K runs on Android TV 11, with the inventory Android TV person interface and Xiaomi's PatchWall person interface on high.
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K distant and options
The traditional Xiaomi distant management – well-liked on its vary of televisions – can also be mixed with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. With the corporate including the PatchWall UI to the streaming machine, the distant has a button to rapidly soar to PatchWall, along with different buttons for fundamental features reminiscent of energy, navigation, quantity adjustment, and invoke Google Assistant.
There are additionally hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and the app drawer. The distant management makes use of Bluetooth for the reference to the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, which additionally permits the sending of voice knowledge for Google Assistant utilizing the built-in microphone. As all the time, the distant management is powered by two AAA batteries.
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K has 2 GB of RAM and eight GB of storage
Along with what has already been talked about, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K helps Google Chromecast with Extremely-HD casting, and Google Assistant can be utilized to seek for content material and to seek for solutions to easy questions and management IoT gadgets that could possibly be associated to. your account. The set of features isn’t too detailed, however the standalone performance of the machine is sufficient by itself.
Both Android TV or PatchWall can be utilized on the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K in line with your choice, and you may simply swap between them. The previous is a little more app-focused, whereas the latter works on content material curation and suggestions that spotlight content material and direct you to the fitting streaming platforms primarily based in your decisions.
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K efficiency
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is, for all intents and functions, a Xiaomi tv minus the display screen. What makes it notably spectacular is the scale of the entire package deal; it’s barely smaller than the favored Extremely-HD streaming gadgets from the Hearth TV vary, and its type issue is undoubtedly extra handy than that of the Chromecast with Google TV.
These similarities are mirrored within the working system and the way in which every little thing works, with the {hardware} successfully dealing with Android TV 11 and PatchWall with out a lot bother. I had no efficiency points with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K throughout my time with it, and the machine labored reliably as a supply machine to get content material in the absolute best decision and codecs in line with my TV configuration. .
Xiaomi's PatchWall person interface could be accessed on the TV Stick 4K by urgent the PatchWall button on the distant management.
Not like among the extra succesful (and subsequently extra sophisticated) streaming gadgets, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K isn’t a tough machine to make use of. I didn’t have to regulate too many settings, and the machine often labored with the fitting decision and codecs, particularly when related to a TV with out different gadgets reminiscent of soundbars or audio system within the set up.
The distant sometimes took a fraction of a second too lengthy to reply, however that didn't hassle me an excessive amount of. When you can set up video games from the Google Play Retailer and play them on the TV, it’s not the perfect machine for this sort of use case, and is basically geared in direction of streaming audio and video from well-liked companies.
Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Dolby Atmos assist is beneficial in case you have a suitable TV or audio system, and subscriptions to companies that work with codecs like Netflix and Apple TV+. It’s price noting right here that sadly there is no such thing as a assist for HDR10+ on the Xiaomi TV Stick, so this streaming machine is greatest mixed with a TV that helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient. In an HDR10+ tv, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K was solely able to streaming within the HDR10 format with Extremely-HD content material.
Whereas most streaming gadgets work effectively with secure Wi-Fi connections, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K labored fairly effectively even when related to a comparatively much less secure cell hotspot. That stated, 5G connectivity usually ensured speeds have been quick sufficient to deal with unbuffered Extremely-HD streaming. Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile possibility for many who depend on cell Web connections at house.
Verdict
As with many Xiaomi merchandise, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K succeeds due to its worth. At Rs. 4,999, is significantly extra reasonably priced than competing merchandise like Chromecast with Google TV and Amazon Hearth TV stick 4K Max, whereas providing a largely dependable and hassle-free Extremely-HD and HDR streaming expertise.
Though the shortage of assist for HDR10 + content material could possibly be an issue for some relying on the TV you propose to make use of, there may be little or no else to complain about with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. The handy dimension and type issue additionally assist make this a simple advice for anybody trying to purchase a useful and dependable Extremely-HD streaming machine, assuming your use case is primarily watching content material.
worth: Rs. 4,999
Execs:
- Handy dimension and type issue
- Extremely-HD streaming, Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Atmos assist
- Dependable and uncomplicated performance
- Superb worth for cash
Cons:
- HDR10+ format isn’t supported
Scores:
Design and specs: 8
Traits: 8
Worth for cash: 9
General: 8
For particulars on the most recent launches and information from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and different firms on the Cell World Congress in Barcelona, go to our MWC 2024 hub.
