Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices remain at the forefront of the market, enabling countless households to enjoy streaming movies, live sports, and TV shows. A new contender has emerged in the UK, providing a competitive edge. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), presenting an affordable solution to enhance any television viewing experience.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) bears a striking resemblance to the design of Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks at first glance. Featuring a compact design with a built-in HDMI connector, users can easily plug it directly into their TV without the hassle of additional cables or complex setups.
Similar to its competitors, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes equipped with a dedicated remote control that includes shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. This feature allows users to quickly access their favorite content without navigating through extensive menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is on par with its rivals in terms of cost. However, the key difference lies in its operating system. Instead of Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, Xiaomi’s latest streaming device runs on Google TV. This integration provides users with access to Google’s intuitive interface, built-in Google Assistant, and a plethora of apps through the Google Play Store.
The remote control features a dedicated voice button, enabling viewers to search for movies, shows, and apps using voice commands. With over 10,000 apps available for download, including games, and numerous free channels for entertainment, users can enjoy a wide range of content without the need for multiple paid subscriptions.
Additionally, Android users can benefit from the built-in Google Cast feature, allowing them to wirelessly stream videos, photos, and other content from their smartphones or tablets directly to the TV.
Under the hood, Xiaomi has equipped the streaming stick with a powerful processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to enhance picture and sound quality.
While the main drawback is its limited resolution supporting only HD playback, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) offers an affordable option for those seeking a Google TV-powered streaming device. It is currently available in the UK for £39.99.