Choosing a modern TV is often a complex puzzle of specs, marketing names, and visually similar designs. When it comes to Xiaomi products, the situation is complicated by the presence of many models that at first glance seem identical, but radically different in filling. In particular, customers often fluctuate between the 4S series and the P1 model, not realizing what they are overpaying for or, conversely, what they lose in economy.
In fact, the difference between these models lies not only in the screen diagonal or resolution, but also in the backlighting technologies used, the operating system version and support for modern HDR standards. Understanding these nuances will allow you not only to buy a “black box with a screen”, but to get exactly the user experience that meets your expectations from a home theater.
In this article, we will explore in detail the design features, software differences and real-world use cases of both devices, explaining why MEMC technology in the 4S series can be a crucial factor for sports enthusiasts, and how the Android version affects app installation.
Matrix technologies and image quality
The fundamental difference lies in the approach to image formation. TV 4S It is often based on time-tested IPS-matrices (although in large diagonals there are also VA), This means that the color reproduction is almost undimmed, even if you're watching a movie from the couch at a sharp angle. However, the contrast of these panels is usually lower, and deep black can give off gray in the dark.
In turn, the series P1 It is a more modern solution, where the manufacturer often uses it. VA-Matrices with improved contrast or even implement elements QLED-This allows for a richer black and a higher brightness, which is critical for viewing. HDR-The dynamic range is more fully revealed, allowing you to see details in the shadows.
It's important to note that HDR10 and HLG are both supported, but the real brightness of the P1 panel often makes these standards work better. If every shade and depth of the picture is important to you in the evening, then the P1's technical parameters will be preferable. While for a bright living room where the whole family watches from different points, the wide angles of view of the 4S may be more important than contrast.
- 📺 Series 4S frequently IPS-panels with wide viewing angles, but medium contrast.
- 🌑 Model P1 VA-matrix with deep black color and high static contrast.
- 🎨 Support for color coverage in P1 often more extensively due to more modern layers of lighting.
⚠️ Warning: Don't blindly rely on the title of the series. In different regions and diagonals (e.g. 43 inches vs. 55 inches) within the same series 4S or P1 There are different types of matrices that can be used. Always check the specific model on the manufacturer's website before buying.
Also, it's worth mentioning the refresh rate of the screen. The base models of both series are usually 60 Hz, which is enough for most tasks. However, the processors processing the signal may differ in power, which affects the smoothness of the interface and the operation of the zoom algorithms.
Operating system and software
One of the most noticeable differences for the user is the software shell. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S has historically often shipped with the proprietary PatchWall shell based on Android. It is a content aggregator that offers a recommendation tape, but may be less familiar to those who have used a classic Android TV. PatchWall interface is sharpened to search for movies and TV series within the ecosystem.
Models of the series P1, Especially new versions, increasingly coming out on “pure” Android TV (Google TV This gives the user a familiar structure with horizontal application rows, built-in Chromecast and closer integration with Google services. APK-Files without dancing with diamonds and the presence of Google Play Market out of the box».
📊 Which system is closer to you?
Classic Android TV
PatchWall's signature
I don’t care if YouTube works.
I'll put in a third-party firmware.
The difference in software also affects speed. Newer P1 processors coupled with an optimized Android TV provide faster menu response. While older PatchWall versions on the 4S can sometimes slow down when scrolling through heavy menus. RAM in P1 is also often larger, allowing more applications to run in the background.
- 🤖 Android TV (P1) Offers standard Google interface and full access to the app store.
- 📺 PatchWall (4S) Focuses on content recommendations, but may be less flexible in settings.
- 🚀 Interface performance in P1 Usually higher due to a fresher element base.
Keep in mind that having Google Certified on the P1 ensures that all streaming services work in high quality, including Netflix’s 4K if supported hardware. In PatchWall 4S models, there are sometimes limitations or the need for manual adjustments to run some services.
The heart of any smart TV is its processor. In the 4S series, you often find chipsets from previous generations of MediaTek that, despite their reliability, may not cope with heavy codecs or the complex menus of modern applications. The typical configuration for this series is 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage.
Series P1 He stepped forward, offering more powerful 4-Nuclear processors with improved graphics Mali-G31 It's a direct effect on the decoding of the video, if you plan on watching heavy video. 4K-bitrate 100 Mbps USB or local area network, power reserve P1 The memory here is also often increased to 2/16 GB or even 3/32 GB in top versions.
The impact of memory on the work of Smart TV
Lack of free memory (less than 500 MB) leads to application crashes and interface brakes. In TVs with 8 GB of internal memory, the system takes up almost half, so installing heavy games or cache can quickly fill the storage.> Codec support is also important, both models support the basic set. HEVC and H.264, but P1 better at formatting VP9 and AV1 (depending on the year of release, which is relevant for YouTube and Netflix, it provides smooth play without jerking and desynchronizing the sound. ⚡ P1 more modern CPU, smooth-bearing UI. 💾 Increased internal memory allows you to install more applications. 🎥 Improved video decoders support new compression formats. ⚠️ Note: The claimed amount of internal memory (e.g. 8GB or 16GB) is the total amount. Android system takes up 30% to 50% of this space. The actual user space is always much smaller. HDMI 2.1 For gamers planning to use a TV with PlayStation consoles 5 or Xbox Series X, this section is critical. 4S Mostly limited to ports. HDMI 2.0. That means support. 4K upon 60 frames per second, but without functions VRR (Variable Refresh Rate and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) in full or with limitations P1 (Pro or Game Edition versions, if they are present in the region lineup, are more often equipped with ports. HDMI 2.1 or their equivalents, which are in the 4K@120Hz. Even if it's full. 120 Hz no, the presence of Game Mode mode with low input latency (Input Lag) is implemented here software better thanks to a more powerful processor. ☑️ Check for the gamer Availability HDMI 2.1 Full bandwidth Support VRR and ALLMDelayed input less than 20 MS Game Mode in settings Completed: 0 / 4 If you are connecting a PC, it is important to check the support HDCP 2.2/2.3. V P1 This protection is implemented by more relevant methods, which avoids problems with the output of images from modern graphics cards. 4S There may be situations where the PC does not see the TV as a 4K It's a display because of the bandwidth limitations of a cable or port, but it's for casual games and story projects. 30-60 FPS The main battle is about high frame rate and variable screen updates, where the main battle is about high frame rate and variable screen updates. P1 The built-in acoustics are the weak spot of most thin TVs, but Xiaomi engineers are trying to compensate for this software. The 4S series often uses a stereo system with about 20 watts (2x10 watts) with support for DTS-HD decoding and Dolby Audio. The sound is clean, but lacks the depth of low frequencies that is typical of the form factor. The P1 series in this regard offers an improved speaker configuration, sometimes with a dedicated LF emitter or a total power of up to 30 watts. Support for Dolby Atmos works more convincingly here, creating a virtual surround sound. Although for a full-length movie, the standard P1 audio room is still capable of filling up with a smaller audio on the Bluetooth version, but with a smaller version of the P1. To organize the information, we will bring the key parameters into a single table. Please note that the characteristics may vary slightly depending on the screen diagonal and the region of sale. TV 4S Xiaomi Mi TV P1 The PatchWall (Android) Android operating system TV / Google TV Type of matrix (typical) IPS / VA VA / QLED (depending on model) RAM 2GB 2GB/3GB Built-in memory 8GB 16GB/32GB Support HDR HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision 💡P1 It wins with a newer version of Android TV And it's a lot of memory, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time, and it's a lot of time. 4S It's a classic style with thin frames and a metal body, and the legs are often placed around the edges, requiring a wide bezel. The assembly is good quality, but the materials can feel more plastic to the touch compared to the premium segment. P1 It has a new design with even thinner frames (frameless design on three sides), and legs are sometimes centered or have a more elegant shape, allowing for installation on narrower surfaces. The weight of the device may also vary due to the use of different types of panels and housing materials. P1 often more thought out: connectors can be deployed sideways or downwards, which makes it easier to connect cables during wall mounting. 4S ports sometimes look straight back, which makes it difficult to put a TV close to the wall (FAQ) Can I install applications on Xiaomi? TV 4S, And if you have PatchWall, you can. Despite the PatchWall shell, Android is running under the hood. You can install a file manager (such as File Commander) through the built-in store or download it. APK-file on a flash drive and install it manually, allowing installation from unknown sources in security settings. P1 voice control without a remote? Android models TV (P1) Google Assistant: You can control your TV with your voice through a built-in microphone (if any) or through an external speaker with Google. Home/Alexa. V 4S PatchWall voice search is also present, but it's more focused on finding content inside the system. 5 GHz? Both modern models support dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, however, in the series P1 The antenna module is often more powerful, which provides a more stable signal at a distance from the router, which is critical for viewing. 4K-content on the web. Should we overpay for it? P1 for HDR? If you only watch TV on air or YouTube in low quality, the difference is not noticeable, but if you plan to watch 4K movies from torrents or use subscriptions to streaming services, Dolby Vision support and the high brightness of P1 will give a significantly more beautiful picture.