Choosing between an Apple TV and Xiaomi consoles (like the Mi TV Stick or Mi Box S) is not just a budget issue, it’s a strategic step in shaping your home ecosystem. Both platforms offer access to streaming services, but are suitable for different categories of users: the former value integration with the Apple ecosystem and premium content, the latter value value for value with a focus on Android TV.
In this article, we’ll look at key differences, from hardware to format support and ease of control: which console is better for 4K HDR, which works faster with YouTube and Netflix, and where the pitfalls are hidden (for example, the lack of official Dolby Vision support on the Xiaomi Mi Box S in Russia), and also compare prices and tell you whether to overpay for the brand.
Specifications: iron and performance
Let's start with the stuffing. Apple TV 4K (2022) is equipped with an A15 Bionic chip, the same as the iPhone 13. This ensures smooth interface and support for heavy games from Apple Arcade. Xiaomi Mi Box S, in turn, uses the Amlogic S905X processor with 2 GB of RAM - this is enough for watching videos, but games and multitasking are more difficult.
Key differences in the table:
| Parameter | Apple TV 4K (2022) | Xiaomi Mi Box S | Xiaomi TV Stick 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Amlogic S905X (28 nm) | Amlogic S905Y4 (12 nm) |
| RAM/ROM | 4 GB / 32–128 GB | 2 GB/8 GB | 2 GB/8 GB |
| Support for HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | HDR10 (no Dolby Vision) | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ |
| Audio. | Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio | Dolby Audio, DTS | Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD |
Important for gamers: Apple TV It supports DualSense (from PlayStation 5) and Xbox Wireless Controller, while Xiaomi will have to manually adjust compatibility via Bluetooth. TV You can play Apple Arcade with monthly updates.
2.Software: tvOS vs Android TV
tvOS (on Apple TV) is a closed ecosystem with a focus on Apple content: Apple TV+, Apple Music, and sync with iPhone/iPad (such as displaying notifications or using the phone as a remote).The interface is minimal, but some users complain about the lack of flexibility - you can not install a third-party launcher or change the location of icons.
Android TV (Xiaomi offers more freedom: you can install APK-files, use Google Play Store and even run retro game emulators, but there are risks: some apps (e.g. Disney)+) They may work unstable due to regional restrictions, and the interface is “cluttered” with advertising over time.
- 🍎 TvOS: Stability, no advertising, deep integration with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.
- 🤖 The Pros of Android TV: apk support, more free apps, the ability to connect mouse/keyboard.
- ⚠️ Android's Cons TV Xiaomi: Pre-installed Chinese services (e.g. Mi Home) that cannot be removed.
💡
If you need Russian-language voice commands, go for Xiaomi – Yandex’s Alice works better here than Siri on Apple TV (which often doesn’t understand the accent).
3. Content and streaming services
Both consoles support the main platforms: Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video.
- 🎬 Apple TV Offers exclusive content on Apple TV+ (TV series like "Foundation" or "Ted Lasso" and buying/renting movies in the United States 4K HDR No additional fee (unlike Google Play Movies) 4K often-pay).
- 📺 Xiaomi is easier to watch. IPTV It's also available through apps like Lazyman or TiviMate (you can install them manually), and it's also available on Google Cast for streaming from your phone, but without AirPlay.
- 🎵 Music Services: Apple Music on Apple TV Spatial Audio supports dynamic tracking, and Xiaomi will need an external tracker for this. AV-receiver.
⚠️ Xiaomi Mi Box S is officially unavailable to Disney in Russia+ and HBO Max - They can only be installed through VPN, This violates the user agreement of the services.
How to install Disney+ on Xiaomi Mi Box S?
4. Control and remote control
The Apple TV remote is a separate story, and comes with Siri Remote, a touchpad for swipes and voice control, easy to navigate, but many users complain about its fragility (especially the touchpad plume), but it can be replaced with an iPhone through the Remote feature at Control Center.
Xiaomi comes with a simple IR remote (the Mi Box S) or Bluetooth remote (the TV Stick 4K), which supports voice commands for Alice but has no touch controls, but both are powered by AAA batteries, which are easy to replace (unlike the built-in battery in Siri Remote).
- 🎮 For gamers: On Apple TV You can connect the DualSense or Xbox Controller gamepad without additional settings.
- 🔄 For multimedia: Xiaomi is easier to switch between apps through the Home button, whereas on Apple TV You have to press twice for that. TV remote.
💡
If you have a HomePod or Sonos speakers, Apple TV automatically configures them as a sound system for theatrical sound – on Xiaomi, this will require manual tuning via HDMI ARC.
5.Price and availability
Here Xiaomi definitely wins: Mi TV Stick 4K costs about 3000-4000 rubles, and Mi Box S – 5000-6000 rubles. For comparison, Apple TV 4K (64 GB) will cost 15,000-18 000 rubles, and the model with 128 GB – even more expensive.
But it is important to consider the hidden costs:
- 💰 On Apple. TV many films 4K You can buy cheaper than Google Play (for example, new products often cost 399). ₽ 599 ₽).
- 🔄 Xiaomi consoles often require purchase VPN Access to foreign content (from 300) ₽/moss).
- 🛠️ Warranty: Apple gives 1 year of official support in Russia (through partners), while Xiaomi can refuse a warranty if the console is purchased from a non-official dealer.
⚠️ Note: When buying Xiaomi Mi Box S on AliExpress or Wildberries, check the firmware version. Some vendors supply devices with Chinese firmware that do not have Google Play or Russian language - it is difficult to reflash it yourself.
6. Who's the console for?
The choice depends on your priorities:
☑️ Apple TV It's fine if you
0
You have an iPhone, Mac or iPad (synchronization via iCloud)
You watch movies in Dolby Vision/Atmos.
You are interested in stability and lack of advertising
You play Apple Arcade or connect gamepads
☑️ Xiaomi Mi Box/TV Stick is fine if
0
- Your budget is limited to 5,000. ₽
You need IPTV and third-party APK support
You are using Alice or Google Assistant.
You don’t mind manually setting up to access foreign content.
The critical point: if you have a TV older than 2018 with a resolution of Full HD (1080p), overpay for Apple TV 4K does not make sense – the difference in quality you will not notice, and Xiaomi Mi TV Stick will cope with the task for a third of the price.
7. Alternatives: What else to see?
If neither Apple TV nor Xiaomi is a good fit, consider:
- 📺 NVIDIA Shield TV Pro - top console for gamers and movie fans (support) AI-upscale 4K).
- 🌐 Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K — Xiaomi is a cheap alternative with good optimization for Prime Video.
- 🖥️ Google Chromecast 4K — If you only need Google Cast and a minimalist interface.
And remember, many Smart TVs (such as those from Samsung or LG) already have built-in streaming apps, and you may not need a console at all—check if your TV supports AirPlay 2 (for Apple) or Google Cast (for Android).