Being stuck with a silent TV in an era where OTT content is the topic of lunch break conversation and Page 3 headlines can be a pain. Especially if it is a TV with a good display. A smart TV that doesn’t give you all the smartness you need (in terms of apps and services) is just as bad. This is definitely a situation best handled by a streaming stick. These things also come in handy when you’re traveling and want your hotel room TV to show you your favorite shows. Well, Xiaomi has a new one in the form of Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. It’s a simple name for a simple device — it’s a TV dongle that can stream at 4K. But there is much more to it than that. Here’s a closer look…
In terms of design, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K is as traditional as you’d expect. It’s an HDMI dongle that’s meant to go behind the TV and then be hidden from view while quietly doing its job. Perhaps to give it a respectable look, Xiaomi has coated it with a glossy finish and has big branding on the top. There’s a Micro-USB port for power, and truth be told, its presence seems a bit odd at a time when Type-C ports have become ubiquitous. That said, given the nature of the device, you’re unlikely to use its Micro-USB port very often, so I’ll give it a go.
A wall adapter and a Micro-USB cable are included in the box. In addition to these and the remote, Xiaomi also includes an HDMI extender in the retail pack – a useful accessory if the HDMI port is difficult to reach or can’t accommodate the TV stick directly. What’s not included in the box, though, is a pair of AAA cells for the remote. Now, this seems like a strange omission because if you don’t have a pair of these batteries available at home then you can’t get started with the device right away.
Speaking of the remote, it is a standard Xiaomi unit – the same one that comes with smart TVs from the brand. This means you can expect the same pluses and minuses: it’s compact and quite comfortable to use, and features dedicated keys for Netflix, Prime Video and Hotstar. However, it misses out on a dedicated volume mute key. However, the volume can be muted by double pressing the volume down key on the remote.
Where the Xiaomi TV Stick 4k shines is its features and capabilities. The fact that it can stream content at 4K resolution is evident from its name, but it also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and audio capabilities include Dolby Atmos support. Hardware specs include quad-core A35 CPU, Mali G35 MP2 graphics, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of native storage. These ensure smooth performance, fluid navigation, quick app launch times and no lag during day-to-day usage. Google Voice Assistant and Chromecast are also on offer. As far as the software is concerned, you get the familiar Android TV interface (Android 11 on top) along with the Google Play Store, which gives you access to the full range of apps available for the ecosystem.
However, like the Xiaomi and Redmi TVs, you also get PatchWall, which is Xiaomi’s own TV platform that curates content and suggests content from various streaming services. PatchWall has its own dedicated key on the remote, and can also be launched via an onscreen icon. Its beauty lies in the way it curates and presents content suggestions, offers features like universal search, and categories content based on factors like IMDb rating, genre, language, etc. Android TV is great in terms of simplicity, while PatchWall brings richness and utility to those looking for new content based on specific interests. And with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, you get the best of both worlds.
Decision
Priced at Rs 4,999, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K faces competition from similar offerings from Realme and Amazon, with the latter offering Fire TV Sticks at different price points, with different capabilities. For me, the main point in favor of choosing the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K would be the PatchWall, which is certainly something that acts as a major differentiator and helps it stand apart. Anyway, the device is quite capable and scores high for its smooth performance and formats like Dolby Vision.
Editor’s rating: 4/5
Pros:
- Crisp 4K Streaming
- smooth performance
- HDR / Dolby Vision Support
- Android TV with PatchWall
Shortcoming:
- no mute key on remote
- no battery included
