Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku’s popular streaming devices are still leading the market, allowing millions of households to access movies, live sports, and TV shows. A new competitor has emerged in the UK, offering a valuable option. Xiaomi, a Chinese tech brand, has introduced its latest TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), providing an affordable solution to enhance any television set.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) features a compact design similar to Amazon’s Fire TV and Roku Sticks, with a built-in HDMI connector for easy plug-and-play installation on any TV without the hassle of additional cables.
Like its major competitors, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) comes with a dedicated remote control featuring shortcut buttons for popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, enabling users to quickly access their favorite content without navigating through complex menus.
Priced at £39.99, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is competitively priced compared to its rivals. However, the standout feature is its operating system. Instead of using Amazon’s Fire OS or Roku’s software, Xiaomi’s device runs on Google TV, providing users with access to Google’s smart interface, Google Assistant, and a wide range of apps from the Google Play Store.
The remote control includes a dedicated voice button for effortless searching of movies, shows, and apps via voice commands. Users can choose from over 10,000 apps, including games, and enjoy numerous free channels 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 from their smartphones or tablets to the TV.
Equipped with a fast processor, dual-band Wi-Fi for seamless playback, and support for HDR10+, Dolby Audio, and DTS, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) delivers enhanced picture and sound quality.
While the device excels in many aspects, its main limitation lies in resolution. Unlike some competing devices, the TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) supports only HD playback and does not offer 4K Ultra HD streaming capabilities.
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.