Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices remain top choices for households seeking to stream movies, live sports, and TV series. However, a new contender has entered the UK market. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable means to enhance any TV viewing experience.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) features a compact design reminiscent of Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks, with a built-in HDMI connector for seamless TV connection without extra cables or complicated setup.
Similar to its competitors, the Xiaomi device comes with a dedicated remote control that includes shortcut buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, allowing users quick access to their preferred content without navigating through menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is on par with its rivals in terms of cost. However, what sets it apart is its operating system. Instead of Fire OS or Roku’s software, Xiaomi’s device runs on Google TV, providing users with Google’s smart interface, integrated Google Assistant, and access to numerous apps via the Google Play Store.
The remote control includes a voice button for voice-activated searches of movies, shows, and apps. Users can choose from over 10,000 apps, including games, and enjoy numerous free channels without additional subscriptions. Additionally, Android users can benefit from built-in Google Cast functionality to stream content from their mobile devices to the TV wirelessly.
Equipped with a fast processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for smoother playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) ensures enhanced picture and sound quality. However, it only supports HD playback, lacking 4K Ultra HD streaming capability like some competitors.
For consumers seeking an affordable Google TV-powered streaming device, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is now available in the UK for £39.99.