Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen), Review: small but powerful

We present today the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) in our review, an updated version of its already old stick and that comes with much more power.

The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is an update of the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K 1st Gen that did not succeed much because of the great competition that exists. This time it has the new AMLogic S905X5M SoC, the same that we find in the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen). A device that offers us Google TV 14 and includes a Bluetooth remote control, where we can use Google Assistant to search. We have DRM certificates that give us access to use integrated Chromecast, we can also use streaming apps in 4K quality with Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos and DTS sound.

Let’s check in our review how this system behaves and what it offers compared to the rest.

Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) details

Unboxing

The new Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) comes in a plain cardboard box with the product box. Inside we find the small TV-Stick, remote control, HDMI cable, charger and a manual.

Description

This Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is very small. On one side we find a single micro USB 2.0 OTG port and a HDMI 2.1a connector. In the upper area we have a white status LED.

The remote control is Bluetooth and has a microphone for Google Assistant. It has dedicated keys for microphone, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and apps. We found a dedicated button for Xiaomi TV .

• Remote Control: Bluetooth remote control with mic. / Compatible keyboard + mouse / App Google Home.
• USB port: Allows you to use a micro USB OTG cable, for peripherals.

System and Performance

Environment and user experience

We start the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) and we get to the configurator where we can adjust the wifi and control of our TV. It is also possible to define which apps will be installed and select the type of content displayed on the main screen. We have the Google TV 14 launcher without customizations. As we can see the performance is quite fluid, we move smoothly between the most common apps and the environment in 4K resolution.

• Launcher: Replaceable / Google TV UI renders at 4K.
• Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / Notifications on top icon.
• Languages and app store: English and others / Google TV app store.
• See our Google TV User Manual to install classic Android Apps.

System

We look at the system data and see that it only has 32-bit instructions. This TV-Stick will have continuous OTA updates to improve and optimize it in the long term.

• Version: Google TV 14 (32 bit) / Model: MiTV-AFMU1 / Code: twilight.
• Support: OTA support from Xiaomi.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The new Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) has 2 GB of RAM DDR4 and for storage we have 8 GB eMMC with a good speed. In the network section has a wireless adapter Wifi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 that give us good results. We also have a micro USB 2.0 OTG port for connecting peripherals. Expandable storage via USB. It does not support NTFS but it does support exFAT.

• Network: Internal Wifi Antenna / Range -40 dBm / Wifi Links 5G 1200 Mbps.
• Storage: Total 8 GB – Free 4 GB eMMC.
• RAM: Total 2 GB – Free 1 GB / DDR4.
• Tutorial on SAMBA Networks on Android to play files on our local network.

Power and performance

In the performance section the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) has the AMLogic S905X5M SoC , a Quad Core with ARM Cortex-A55 processors up to 2.5 GHz and a Mali-G310 V2 GPU. In the results, as we can see, the computational performance is similar to the AMLogic S905X4 processor, but its GPU is three times more powerful. It is possible to use streaming apps, KODI, PLEX, IPTV or a web browser.

• CPU performance: Min. 0.5 GHz / In use 1.2 GHz / Max. 2.5 GHz.
• You can read our AMLogic S905X5M Comparison for more details.

Games and emulators

In terms of games we can run titles without many demands or cloud services like NVIDIA GForce Now or play streaming games with our PC using Moonlight and Sunshine. In the emulators section we can get at most run some Wii titles, but we will not have problems with 2D games from classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or from KODI, the EmuELEC system can not be run, as it is not compatible.Wii.

• Games: Simple 3D games / No Vulkan / Emulators up to Wii.
• Controls: We can use USB or Bluetooth Gamepads.

Consumption and temperature

The AMLogic S905X5M SoC manufactured in 6 nm has a low power consumption, the cooling system works perfectly and temperatures are low at all times. The power consumption is only 7 W and it is possible to power it with a USB from our own TV if it has a power of 5.2V 2A.

• Thermal: Maintains performance up to 100% / Surface heating / 0 db noise.
• Consumption: Off 0.9W / Min. 1W / In use 2W / Max. 7W.

Video and Audio Test

Playback test

In the video playback section, the new Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) supports the AV1 codec and all the other classics. It also supports Dolby Vision/Atmos and HDR10+ formats with resolutions up to 4K@60fps. It allows HDMI 2.1a video output that has game mode options, also auto refresh switching and image enhancement option by AISR. In our test this SoC offers good image quality in video playback, although it does not reach the Realtek.

• Video: 4K@75fps / HDMI-CEC / Refresh Rate auto / Game mode / Dolby Vision / AISR.
• Audio: HDMI 7.1 / Dolby Atmos + DTS 7.1 with streaming apps / KODI + PLEX 5.1.
• Linux OS: This model is NOT compatible with LibreELEC or CoreELEC.
• Tutorials: Install add-on in KODI / Judder, how to fix it / Multi-channel audio / Dark video playback fix
• We recommend reading the Setup Guide of our TV to get the best picture quality

KODI: Video and audio test results

• Maximum Bitrate: 350 Mbps.
• HW = Hardware Acceleration / SW = No Hardware Acceleration.

• Formats: Native = Full compatibility / Core = 5.1 only / PCM = Stereo / More info.

Streaming services

We tested the most popular streaming services on this hardware. This stick offers maximum compatibility with all platforms. We can watch in 4K Dolby Vision Atmos quality the contents of Prime Video, Disney or Max. As we know Netflix on assemblers that comply with the Hailstorm program, in this service we have HDR10 but only on some Samsung TV models.

• DRM: Google Widevine L1 / Playready,
• Certificates: Dolby Vision / Dolby Atmos / HDR10 .

Streaming test results

• Multichannel audio only via HDMI connection in streaming services, SPDIF stereo only.

Conclusions and purchase link

Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) review

The small Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is an interesting solution if we have little space. We have a friendly system such as Google TV 14 and we can play 4K streaming in good quality. The new AMLogic S905X5M SoC has enough power to use the usual streaming apps, KODI, PLEX, IPTV and medium level games. It also offers Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and HDR10 support for streaming content.

We have a Bluetooth remote control, which we can use with Google Assistant thanks to its integrated microphone. In addition, we have a Wifi 6 BT 5.2 adapter with good speed, although as connectors we only have a micro USB OTG for peripherals, an already outdated connector.

As we see the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is compact and efficient and if we get it at a good price is a suitable alternative for those looking for something small for streaming.

Where to buy the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen)

Rate it at