Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices are still leading the market, enabling countless households to stream movies, live sports, and TV shows. However, a new competitor has emerged in the UK, offering a valuable alternative. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest product, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable option to enhance any television viewing experience.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) boasts a compact design reminiscent of Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. It features a built-in HDMI connector for easy connection to a TV without the hassle of additional cables or complex setup.
Similar to its main rivals, 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 simplifies access to favorite content without the need to navigate through multiple menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is competitively priced compared to its counterparts. However, the key differentiator lies in its operating system. Instead of Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, this new streamer runs on Google TV, offering users access to Google’s smart interface, built-in Google Assistant, and a vast array of apps through the Google Play Store.
The remote control includes a dedicated voice button, allowing users to search for movies, shows, and apps using voice commands. With over 10,000 available apps, including games, and numerous free channels, users can enjoy ample entertainment without multiple paid subscriptions.
Android users can benefit from the built-in Google Cast feature, enabling wireless streaming of videos, photos, and other content from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.
Internally, Xiaomi has equipped the streaming stick with a fast processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS to enhance picture and sound quality.
One limitation of the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is its resolution support, as it only allows for HD playback and does not support 4K Ultra HD content streaming like many other competing devices.
For consumers 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.
