Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices continue to maintain their dominance in the market, enabling countless households to stream movies, live sports, and TV series. A new player has entered the UK market to compete with these established gadgets. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable option to enhance any television viewing experience.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) features a compact design reminiscent of Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It is equipped with a built-in HDMI connector for easy connection to a TV without the hassle of extra cables or complex setup procedures.
Similar to its competitors, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes with a dedicated remote control that includes shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. This simplifies access to favorite content without the need to navigate through extensive menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is competitively priced compared to its counterparts. However, its key differentiator lies in its operating system. Instead of using Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, the Xiaomi device runs on Google TV. This grants users access to Google’s intelligent interface, integrated Google Assistant, and a vast selection of apps available through the Google Play Store.
The remote control features a dedicated voice button, allowing viewers to search for movies, shows, and apps using voice commands. The device offers a wide range of downloadable apps, including games, and numerous free channels for entertainment without the need for multiple paid subscriptions.
Android users can benefit from the built-in Google Cast feature, enabling wireless streaming of videos, photos, and other content directly from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.
Internally, Xiaomi has equipped the streaming stick with a fast processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to enhance picture and sound quality.
One limitation of the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is its resolution capability. Unlike some rival devices, it only supports HD playback and does not offer 4K Ultra HD streaming.
For individuals seeking an affordable Google TV-powered streaming solution, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is now available in the UK for £39.99.