Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices remain at the forefront of the market, enabling numerous households to stream movies, live sports, and TV shows. However, a new contender has emerged in the UK, offering a valuable alternative. Chinese tech brand Xiaomi has introduced its latest TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable option to enhance any television experience.
Upon initial inspection, the device presents a familiar appearance with a compact design reminiscent of Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It features a built-in HDMI connector for direct connection to the TV without the hassle of additional cables or complex setups.
Similar to its major competitors, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes with a dedicated remote control equipped with shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. This feature allows users to easily access their favorite content without navigating through extensive menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is competitively priced compared to its rivals. However, the key differentiator lies in its operating system.
Unlike Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, Xiaomi’s latest streaming device operates on Google TV, providing users with access to Google’s intelligent interface, integrated Google Assistant, and a wide array of apps through the Google Play Store.
With a dedicated voice button on the remote, viewers can search for movies, shows, and apps using voice commands. The platform offers over 10,000 downloadable apps, including games, while numerous free channels offer ample entertainment choices without requiring multiple paid subscriptions.
Android users can leverage the built-in Google Cast feature to wirelessly stream videos, photos, and other content from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.
Internally, Xiaomi has equipped the streaming stick with a rapid processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to enhance picture and sound quality.
However, the main drawback of the device is its resolution limitation. Unlike many competing streaming devices, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) supports only HD playback, lacking 4K Ultra HD streaming capabilities.
For those in search of an affordable Google TV-powered streaming solution, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is now available in the UK for £39.99.