Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices remain at the forefront of the market, enabling countless households to stream movies, live sports, and TV series. However, a new contender has emerged in the UK, offering an enticing option. Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable solution to enhance any television experience.
Upon first inspection, the device bears a striking resemblance to its competitors with a sleek and compact design akin to Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It features a built-in HDMI connector for easy plug-and-play functionality without the hassle of additional cables or complicated setups.
Similar to its key rivals, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes equipped with a dedicated remote control featuring shortcut buttons for popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. This allows users to swiftly access their favorite content without navigating through extensive menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) competes directly with its counterparts in terms of cost. However, the standout feature lies in its operating system.
Diverging from the Fire OS of Amazon or the software of Roku, Xiaomi’s latest streaming device runs on Google TV. This grants users access to Google’s intuitive interface, integrated Google Assistant, and a plethora of apps through the Google Play Store.
The remote includes a dedicated voice button, enabling users to search for content and apps using voice commands. With over 10,000 available apps, including games, and numerous free channels, viewers can enjoy ample entertainment without multiple paid subscriptions.
Android users can benefit from the built-in Google Cast feature, allowing wireless streaming of videos, photos, and more directly from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.
Underneath the surface, Xiaomi has outfitted the streaming stick with a high-speed processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to enhance picture and sound quality.
One limitation to note is the resolution capability. Unlike some competing devices, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) supports only HD playback, lacking 4K Ultra HD streaming capability.
For those seeking an affordable streaming device powered by Google TV, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is now available in the UK for £39.99.