Xiaomi 4A vs 4S: What’s the difference and what to choose

When choosing a budget TV from Chinese giant Xiaomi, shoppers often find themselves faced with a dilemma: which series to choose: on store shelves you can find models labeled 4A and 4S, and at first glance they seem almost identical. However, a closer look at the technical specifications reveals that the differences lie in details that can significantly affect the user experience.

Both ranges are in the Full HD and 4K segment of the available solutions, but they are positioned slightly differently. If you want to know whether to overpay for the S version or if the basic 4A will fully meet your needs, you need to conduct a thorough analysis of the hardware stuffing and software.

In this article, we will discuss the design features, the quality of the matrices and the performance of the motherboards, understanding these nuances will help you not overpay for functions that you will not use, or, conversely, not save on critical parameters.

Design and design features of the buildings

Both are designed in the modern minimalist style of Mi TV products, the thin bezels around the screen and the laconic stand make them suitable in any interior, but the company's engineers have made a number of changes to the ergonomics of the new model.

The 4S series often features a redesigned rear panel that uses better polymers. It's not just cosmetics, because the heat sink in the new models is more efficient due to the changed structure of the stiffness ribs. The 4A series may seem more plastic to the touch in places not visible in normal use.

• 🖥️ Body thickness in series 4S often reduced by revised layout of internal modules.
• 🔌 Location of ports in 4S Optimized for easy cable connection during wall installation.
• 🦶 Leg design in 4A easier, whereas 4S It may have more stable or rotating supports.

It is worth noting that the weight of the devices also varies: lighter materials in the 4A simplify transportation, but can reduce the overall vibration resistance of the structure at maximum loudness.

⚠️ Note: When installing a wall, keep in mind that the distance between the fastening holes VESA It may differ depending on the diagonal and the specific revision of the model, even within the same series.

Matrix and image quality comparison

The most important thing for any TV is picture quality, and one of the main differences is that while both series can offer a resolution of 3840×2160 (4K UHD), the backlighting technologies and panel types used are often different.

In the 4S series, the manufacturer is more likely to use matrixes with improved contrast ratio and support for HDR10 technology at the hardware level. This means that the TV is able to correctly display the extended dynamic range, making the shadows deeper and the light areas more detailed. The budget 4A series can have software emulation of HDR, which gives a less impressive result.

Viewing angles are another critical parameter. If you're planning on watching a movie with a big company, the model is a big one. 4S s IPS-similar structure or improved VA-The panel will provide a more stable picture on the side. 4A When viewed from an angle, the colors may fade faster.

For gamers, refresh rates are important. The standard value for both series is 60 Hz, but in 4S, MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) technology is more common, which programmatically increases the smoothness of objects, especially when watching sports broadcasts or dynamic scenes in movies.

Performance: processor and RAM

The heart of any smart TV is its processor, which is the power of loading menus, switching channels, and app performance, and where the generational versus series differences are most apparent.

4S models tend to feature more modern chipsets, such as the latest generation Amlogic or MediaTek with four Cortex-A53 cores or later. These devices typically have 2GB of RAM, allowing the Android TV system to run without noticeable delays. At the same time, the base 4A versions can come with just 1GB of RAM, which is the absolute minimum in 2026-2026.

The lack of RAM in the 4A series leads to more frequent unloading of background applications. If you are used to quickly switching between YouTube, online cinema and browser, then in 4A you will have to wait for the tabs to reload.

Embedded storage also varies.The standard volume for the 4S is 8GB or 16GB, whereas 4A is often limited to 8GB, of which only about 4-5GB is available to the user.

Sound system and audio codecs

Sound in budget TVs is often a compromise solution, but there are differences here as well: Xiaomi engineers are looking to improve the acoustics in the older models of the lineup.

The 4S series often receives support for DTS-HD and Dolby Audio surround sound technology at the hardware level. The speakers in these models can have more power, for example, 2x10 W vs. 2x8 W for the 4A model. In addition, a dedicated low-frequency speaker or passive emitter that improves the bass is often found in the 4S.

For external acoustics, the presence of an optical output S/PDIF is important. In some 4A series revisions, this port can be abolished, leaving only access to 3.5 mm headphones, which limits the possibilities of connecting a home theater.

• 🔊 Support for Dolby Digital Plus codec 4S Provides better sound when streaming content.
• 🎛️ Equator on the menu 4S has more (preset) settings for different genres.
• 📉 Maximum volume without distortion in 4S higher 10-15%.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use the TV as a multimedia center with a connection to the receiver, be sure to check the availability of optical output in the specification of a particular model, as the configurations may vary.

Wireless modules and connection

Modern TV is unthinkable without Wi-Fi. The speed and stability of wireless connections directly affect the ability to view heavy TV. 4K-content without buffering.

The key difference lies in the support of frequencies. TV series 4S almost guaranteed to be equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (ac), operating at frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This allows you to achieve high data rates and avoid interference from neighboring routers. in the 4A series, a stripped-down module that only works in the 2.4 GHz band is often found.

The 2.4 GHz band is heavily loaded in apartment buildings, which can lead to jerks of the image when viewed online. 4K-high-bitrate.

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Use a LAN cable to connect your TV if your router is far away or your Wi-Fi signal is unstable, and this will ensure maximum speed regardless of the TV model.

Bluetooth is available for both remotes and headphones, but the protocol version in the 4S may be newer (5.0 vs. 4.2), providing a more stable connection with less peripheral power consumption.

Control panel and operating system

The TV is interacted with via a remote, and Xiaomi also makes a distinction here: the base 4A series is often equipped with a classic infrared (IR) remote, which is reliable but requires line-of-sight and has no voice control.

The 4S series more often comes with a Bluetooth remote that supports voice search. This allows you to search for movies or control playback by simply saying commands. Having Bluetooth means that the remote doesn't need to be pointed at the TV, which is especially handy when editing in secret.

The software shell in both cases is based on Android TV or PatchWall (depending on the region).However, on the more powerful hardware 4S interface animations look smoother, and system updates come as a priority.

Final verdict: what to choose in 2026

So to sum up the comparison, it's a matter of your priorities and budget, and the 4A series is a very budget-friendly solution, and it's a kitchen, a summer cottage, a hotel room, or a second TV in the bedroom, where you don't need high performance and perfect picture.

The 4S series is already a full-fledged multimedia center for the living room. The price difference between the two is often small, but the difference in comfort is huge. The additional RAM and dual-band Wi-Fi in the 4S extend the life of the device by several years, allowing it to remain relevant with the release of new versions of applications.

If you buy a TV as your home’s main screen, overpaying for the S version is a perfectly justified investment: you’ll get faster interfaces, better color reproduction and a more convenient voice control. If the budget is tight, the 4A will do the basics, but require more patience with speed.

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When choosing between 4A and 4S, priority should be given to the amount of RAM (2 GB vs. 1 GB), since this directly affects the speed of smart functions.