Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices remain at the forefront of the market, enabling numerous households to enjoy streaming movies, live sports, and TV shows. However, a new contender has emerged in the UK, providing a valuable alternative. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest offering, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), presenting an affordable solution to enhance any television viewing experience.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) boasts a familiar design upon first glance, resembling the compact style of Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks. Featuring a built-in HDMI connector, the device effortlessly plugs directly into a TV without the hassle of extra cables or complex setup.
Similar to its major competitors, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes equipped with a dedicated remote control complete 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 lengthy menus.
Priced at £39.99, on par with its rivals, the key differentiator lies in its operating system. Unlike Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, Xiaomi’s latest offering runs on Google TV, granting users access to Google’s intelligent interface, integrated Google Assistant, and a vast array of apps via the Google Play Store.
The remote control includes a dedicated voice button, allowing viewers to search for movies, shows, and apps using voice commands. Users can choose from over 10,000 available apps, including games, while numerous free channels offer ample entertainment 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. The streaming stick is powered by a fast processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and supports HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS for enhanced picture and sound quality.
One limitation is the resolution capability, as the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) supports only HD playback, lacking 4K Ultra HD streaming like many rival devices in the market. For consumers seeking an economical Google TV-powered streaming device, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is now available in the UK for £39.99.