Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices are still leading the market, allowing households to easily stream movies, live sports, and TV shows. However, a new contender has emerged in the UK to provide an alternative option. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), as a budget-friendly solution to enhance any television setup.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) features a familiar compact design akin to Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It boasts a built-in HDMI connector for straightforward connection to a TV without the hassle of additional cables or complex setup procedures.
Similar to its main 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 quickly access their preferred content without navigating through extensive menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is competitively priced compared to its counterparts. What sets it apart is its operating system. Instead of using Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, the Xiaomi device runs on Google TV, granting users access to Google’s intelligent interface, integrated Google Assistant, and a wide array of apps available through the Google Play Store.
The included remote control features a dedicated voice button, enabling viewers to search for movies, shows, and apps through voice commands. Users can choose from over 10,000 apps, including games, while numerous free channels provide ample entertainment options without requiring 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 powerful processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to enhance picture and sound quality.
The primary drawback of the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is its limited resolution support, as it only offers HD playback and does not support 4K Ultra HD content streaming.
For individuals 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.