The first generation Xiaomi Mi TV Stick was already enjoying immense popularity. This time, the Chinese giant introduced an improved version of the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, which brings higher resolution.
In our review you will learn everything you need to know about this smart gadget for TVs, and we will also briefly compare it with the recently reviewed Real 4K Smart Google TV Stick.
Where to Buy Xiaomi TV Stick 4K
The latest Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is coming to international sale through a well-known retailer Banggood. A discount coupon is available, thanks to which you can save.
Current best coupons for Xiaomi TV Stick 4K
Duty-free EU transport is already included in the price Priority Line. You will no longer pay additional fees.
Technical specifications
Model designation | MDZ-27-AA |
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dimensions | 106.8 x 29.4 x 15.4 mm |
Weight | 42.8 g |
processor | 4-core ARM Cortex-A35 |
Graphic chip | ARM G31 MP2 |
RAM | 2 GB |
repository | 8 GB |
up resolution | 4K |
Video codecs | AV1 / VP9 / H.265 / H.264 / MPEG-2 / MPEG-1 |
Formats videa | MKV / MPG / MPEG / DAT / AVI / MOV / ISO / MP4 / RM |
Audio codecs | DTS HD / Dolby Atmos |
Audio formats | MP3 / AAC / RM / FLAC |
Image formats | JPG / BMP / GIF / PNG |
WiFi | version 5 (802.11 a / b / g / n / ac) 2.4 GHz; 5 GHz |
Bluetooth | 5.2 |
Connectivity | HDMI; Micro-USB |
chromecast | Yes |
Operating system | Android TV 11 |
Contents of the package
The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is sold in a compact orange box measuring 9.2 x 16.9 x 3.5 cm and weighing 267 g. The TV Stick came wrapped in bubble wrap and an envelope that adequately protected the packaging.
Its contents consist of the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K itself, an HDMI extension cable, a remote control, a Micro USB cable, a mains adapter and instructions for use.
Unfortunately, the package does not contain 2 AAA batteries for the remote control, so you will have to buy them separately. However, we appreciate the presence of an HDMI extension cable, which will ensure that you connect the TV stick to TVs that do not have enough space at the back to connect the TV stick.
Design and quality of workmanship
In terms of design, there were only minor changes compared to the previous version of the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick. As the Chinese giant has meanwhile stopped using Mi in device names, the Mi logo on the TV stick has changed to Xiaomi. As a result, the matte finish is wider than the glossy finish.
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K has dimensions of 106.8 x 29.4 x 15.4 mm and weighs 42.8 g. At first glance, this smart gadget resembles a USB key, but upon closer inspection, everyone will notice that namiHDMI is located here as well as the USB terminal. There is also a micro USB port for power on the side, and a small signaling LED is located at the top.
The whole TV stick is made of plastic, but all the parts fit together perfectly, nothing creeps in, which is why the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K has a quality impression.
How to connect Xiaomi TV Stick 4K?
You simply plug the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K into the HDMI port on your TV or monitor, but that's not all. The TV stick also needs an external power supply via a micro USB port. If your TV has a USB output with 5V / 1A parameters, you can also use one.
If you do not have one, there is a USB adapter in the package, which will be used for this purpose. However, the micro USB cable is relatively short (1 m), so if you need to use power through the adapter, you need to have the power plug relatively close, which is usually not a problem with TVs.
After connecting the micro USB cable, the LED on the TV stick lights up, which immediately turns on and starts loading. If you do not have enough space to connect the TV stick due to the different plastics around the TV ports, you can also use the HDMI extension cable that you will find in the package.
Remote control
The remote control that you will find in the package is completely identical to the one that comes with the first version of the TV stick, except for a minor change. Here, too, the Mi logo was replaced by the new Xiaomi logo. Two AAA batteries, which are not included in the package, are required to use the remote control.
However, the cover under which the battery compartment is located is somehow too difficult to open. Although the batteries may not need to be changed often, we were not surprised. The dimensions of the remote control are 16 x 3.5 x 1.4 cm and its weight, even with batteries, is approximately 65 g. It holds comfortably in the hand and the rubberized buttons press very well. They are not too soft, but not completely hard either. The controller communicates with the TV stick using Bluetooth technology.
There are quite a few buttons here, but we can do with it. In the middle of the upper part there is a button for switching on / off the TV stick and just below it there is a button for voice control. In addition, there is also a rotary selector with a confirmation in the middle, a button to call up the menu, to go back and go to the home screen.
There is also a separate button for Netflix and prime video. The last are the volume buttons.
Initial settings
The settings during the first start-up of the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K start by pairing the remote control, which is done by holding down the two edge buttons on the remote control. These instructions are displayed on the TV screen in several languages.
This is followed by the choice of language, which does not lack Slovak or Czech, and the setting of the region in which we are located. In the next step, information about the possibility of setting up a TV stick using an Android smartphone will be displayed. We have already tried a similar option when testing a TV stick from Realme, so we know this option is faster and more convenient.
The principle is the same as setting up a new smartphone to which you want to transfer your Google account, including settings and applications. On our smartphone, we headed to Google Account settings, where we selected Set up a nearby device. The code used to connect the devices appears on both the TV and smartphone screens.
Next is the choice of a Google account, which is copied, all easily and quickly via a smartphone, without the impractical entry of e-mail and password using the remote control and virtual keyboard.
You are already completing the final settings and agreeing on the terms and conditions via the TV stick, where you also select the applications to be pre-installed. Finally, there are some tips for using the TV stick, as well as the ability to control the volume and turn the TV on or off using the TV stick controller. However, this last part is not translated into Slovak.
Android TV environment
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K runs on Android TV 11. This ensures that the system is adapted for TVs and remote control. The graphic superstructure is identical in design to the one you will find on Xiaomi TVs.
At the top of the screen is a search box (either text or voice), settings, and the current time. In the middle of the screen are large application icons along with thumbnails for Netflix and other multimedia applications that we have installed.
You know how to move between them vertically and horizontally, so the whole environment forms a kind of grid, which looks very good and especially clear. Apps also have a separate menu that appears when you click the Apps icon. Here you will find all the applications that are installed along with the Google Play store, where you will find more.
Google Play and Apps
As mentioned above, the app menu also includes a link to the Google Play store, where you'll find a number of other apps that are tailored for use on TVs or monitors. For this reason, the range of applications is not exactly the same as the one you find on your smartphone. Some applications are missing here, as the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K does not have a standard Android mobile, but an Android TV.
There are many multimedia applications on offer such as KODI, HBO Max, Apple TV, Skylink, Magio GO, VOYO, Antik TV, Orange TV or O2 TV. Of course, there are many other applications to choose from, so the offer is really wide.
It is these multimedia applications for watching online content that allow a wide range of uses for the TV stick in various places. For example, we use the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K at a cottage where we have an internet connection but no smart TV. We connected a TV stick to an ordinary older TV without smart functions, installed the Antik TV application, where we logged in with our login details, thanks to which we can watch all the TV programs we have at home.
Hardware and connectivity
Unlike the first version xiaomi mi tv stick the RAM has been expanded by another 1 GB to a total capacity of 2 GB. It is complemented by internal storage, which has not changed and still has 8 GB. The new 4-core Cortex-A35 processor replaced the old Cortex-A53. The Mali-G31 MP2 graphics chip also helps.
There is no lack of Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi support in both bands, ie 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, from wireless connectivity. It will especially please the maximum 4K resolution with the support of the Dolby Vision function, which improves the overall image. The new TV stick supports Dolby Atmos and DTS HD technologies for quality sound. The presence of an integrated Chromecast system for easy and fast sharing of content from the smartphone screen is a matter of course.
System settings and operation
In the settings you will find information about the Google account, Wi-Fi networks, settings of applications and their permissions, settings of the device itself and the remote control. There are not many customization options in the device settings. For example, we can change the date and time, language, keyboard, display and sound settings, the order of applications on the home screen, the screen saver, or reset the device to factory settings.
The PatchWall function is probably not available in our region, so after pressing the left button next to the return on the remote control, only a blue screen with time, search and settings will appear, which, however, contain only a child lock. On a Xiaomi TV, the PatchWall screen includes an input option, which doesn't make sense in this case.
As for the operation of the system itself, small imperfections can be found. Especially right after turning on or waking up the TV stick, the system is slower for a few seconds and we sometimes see slight jams. We also had a small problem a few times when searching for applications in the Play Store, where after entering the name of the application, the search results started to flash strangely to us and we didn't even get the search results.
Most of the time, however, the system was smooth and its responses were immediate, without unnecessary delays.
Short comparison with Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick
The recently reviewed Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick is a direct competitor to the new Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. These are very similar devices powered by the same ARM Cortex-A35 processor with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage.
In terms of packaging, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K also has a mains adapter, which is missing from the Realme TV stick. However, the principle of involvement is the same in both cases. The only big difference is perhaps the operating system environment, as Realme uses Google TV, while the TV stick from Xiaomi got Android TV. However, the differences are more of a design.
In addition, Realme has several buttons on the remote control, of which we have often used a separate button to open the YouTube application. You will also enjoy the button for instant mute, so-called. mute, which only has a driver from Realme.
In addition, Xiaomi has the support of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision technologies, but overall it is just a matter of details and in many cases the price and personal preferences of the brand will be decided by the specific buyer.
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K: Final Review
We have already tested the second generation of the popular Xiaomi TV Stick, which this time supports up to 4K resolution. Thanks to this intelligent device, which resembles a USB key, you will extend the functions of older TVs that are not smart.
Current best coupons for Xiaomi TV Stick 4K
Xiaomi TV Stick 4K offers Android TV 11 with a clear superstructure, support for many not only multimedia applications that you can easily control with the remote control. By the way, it is very compact and fits perfectly in the hand.
Is Digi GO on it?
why does the sound on the TV stop when I connect headphones via bluetooth? can't it be set somehow?
Because the sound naturally goes to the headphones when you plug them in. That's how it's supposed to work.
Dobrý den.
Please, give me an advice.
I bought a Xiaomi mi 4K TV Stick smart TV device and after connecting to the monitor and power and pairing the controller with the TV Stick, which is confirmed on the monitor, the controller selects stations, but the TV Stick does not turn off. I turn on the device only when the PC is turned off by connecting the supplied 5V source. The Blutooth speaker is also silent on programs from the TV Stick, although it works fully when using TV stations on the iPhone. Furthermore, the controller does not affect the volume of the speaker.
When the TV Stick is turned on and set to Bluetooth, the speaker goes into PAUSE state.
Does anyone know what could be wrong?
Thank you.
Jan Jakubec