Xiaomi TV P1 vs A2: What’s the difference?

Choosing a modern TV has become a daunting task, especially when it comes to popular brands like Xiaomi. P1 and A2 They often end up on the shelves of the store next door, with similar designs and prices, but with important technical differences hidden. HDR-content and comfort when connecting game consoles of the new generation.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the architecture of the panels, the capabilities of the processors and the software features of the Android TV or Google TV operating system, explaining why one TV may appear brighter than another and in which use cases the difference becomes apparent, which will help you not to overpay for unnecessary features or, conversely, not to miss important advantages.

We're going to focus on HDR standards, screen refresh rates and sound system quality, and these are the things that are most often ignored in booklets, but they're the ones that make the final impression of the viewing experience, and let's figure out which model is best for your home theater.

Design and design features

Visually, the Xiaomi TV P1 and A2 can seem almost identical, especially when viewed from afar. Both manufacturers use a minimalist approach with thin bezels around the display, which allows for immersive effects.

The P1 series is often focused on a more mass-market segment, so some diagonals can use plastic with a metal texture, while the A2 line, which is positioned as more advanced, often gets all-metal body elements, which affects not only aesthetics, but also the heat sink of internal components.

Port and control button locations can also vary, with some models looking downwards, which is convenient for wall mounting, others looking sideways, which makes it easier to connect cables when you install them on the bench. Note the thickness of the profile: thinner models require careful handling when transporting.

⚠️ Note: When buying a 55-inch TV, make sure the legs are wide enough for your bench, as some models have a wide enough setup. A2 They are closer to the edges than in budget counterparts.

Wall mounting is VESA standard, but the size of the mounting holes may vary depending on the screen diagonal.Always check the specification of a particular model before buying a bracket to avoid installation problems.

Matrix technologies and image quality

The most significant difference between the series lies in the types of arrays used. P1 models are most often based on classic IPS or VA panels with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. This provides good viewing angles and acceptable color reproduction for everyday TV and streaming services.

Linea A2 often equipped with more advanced panels, including technology QLED advanced VA-This allows for a deeper black color and peak brightness, which is critical for unlocking potential. HDR-The contrast difference can be seen even with the naked eye when viewing dark scenes.

If the base models are limited to sRGB or the base Rec.709, the older versions of the A2 can cover up to 90% or more of the DCI-P3 space, which means that the colors in movies and games will look exactly as the director or developer intended.

• 🎨 Brightness: Models A2 frequently 350-400 silk, whereas P1 may be limited 250-300 thread.
• 👁️ Viewing angles: IPS-matrices in some P1 They give a better picture on the side than VA into A2, but lose in contrast.
• 🎬 HDR formats: A2 It usually supports a full spectrum of Dolby Vision and HDR10+, while P1 may be limited.

It is important to consider that even with the same diagonal, pixel density and subpixel rendering quality may differ. For low-resolution content (cable TV), simpler matrices are sometimes even preferable, as they are better at smoothing compression artifacts.

Productivity and gaming opportunities

For gamers, the differences between the Xiaomi TV P1 and the A2 can be a crucial factor. Basic models are often limited to an HDMI 2.0 port, allowing 4K signal transmission at only 60 frames per second. This is enough for most movies, but not enough for a full-fledged game on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X in 120 Hz mode.

The A2 series, especially in large diagonals, is increasingly equipped with an HDMI 2.1 port. This opens access to VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). The first technology synchronizes the console frame rate with the refresh rate of the TV, eliminating image tears, and the second automatically switches the TV into game mode to minimize input delay.

The processor is responsible for the speed of the interface. In the more expensive A2 models, chips with a more powerful graphics accelerator and more RAM are often installed, which ensures smooth navigation through the menu, fast application loading and no delays when switching between tasks.

Both lines usually handle the HEVC (H.265) codec, but older models can support newer compression standards and audio formats, which is important for local media players.

Sound system and audio formats

The sound in TVs often fades into the background, but the difference between the P1 and A2 series is also present. Budget models are usually equipped with stereo speakers with a total power of 10-20 watts. The sound is flat, with a lack of low frequencies, which is typical for thin cases.

A2-level models boast more powerful acoustics, sometimes with a dedicated subwoofer or support for Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound technology. While a full-fledged Atmos requires physical speakers on top, sound processing algorithms create a wider and larger scene, improving the perception of dialogue and special effects.

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For better sound, plug in an external sound system via the ARC/eARC port, which will unload the TV’s processor and give you a quality bass that the built-in speakers can’t physically reproduce.

Support for audio codecs is also important. If you plan to use a TV as part of a home theater, make sure the model supports pass-through formats like Dolby Digital Plus or DTS to external acoustics. In some cases, budget models may limit transmission to only basic formats.

⚠️ Note: When connecting the sound panel through an optical output (S/PDIF) You won't get Dolby Atmos support, because the bandwidth of that cable is limited. HDMI eARC for maximum quality.

Customizing the equalizer in the menu allows you to adapt the sound to the room, but the software correction options in different models can vary. In advanced versions, there are often automatic calibrators that adjust the settings to the acoustics of the room.

Operating system and smart functions

Both lines run by the Google ecosystem, but versions may differ: Older P1 models could have shipped with Android TV, while newer A2s often get an updated Google TV interface.The latter features a redesigned design, smart content recommendations and more convenient integration with other smart devices.

The speed of the interface is directly dependent on the amount of internal memory and processor, and if the system can start to slow down in the basic versions when installing many applications, then in A2 the performance margin is usually higher, especially when using heavy applications like YouTube 4K or cloud gaming services.

Integration with the Mi Home and Google Home is present in both cases: you can control the TV with your voice via a remote or a speaker, and use it as a screen for video calls or camera monitoring, but new models can support more recent communication protocols like Matter or Thread.

An important aspect is the presence of in-front advertising, which may be in some regions and some start screen models, where advertising content is either missing or off in more expensive lines, and should be considered if you are annoyed by visual noise.

Final comparison and selection recommendations

To sum up, the choice between the Xiaomi TV P1 and the A2 depends on your priorities: If you need a TV for the kitchen, bedroom or for watching news channels and YouTube in the background, the P1 series will be more than enough.

If you are a moviegoer, like to watch movies in high resolution with HDR, or own a gaming console of the latest generation, the overpayment for the A2 series will be completely justified.

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For games and movies, choose A2 (QLED/HDMI 2.1), for background and TV shows, P1 (IPS/60 Hz) is enough.

Remember to check specifications before buying, because different years of production and regions of the same equipment can change. Technology is evolving rapidly, and what was relevant a year ago, today can have an improved counterpart.