Choosing a modern TV in the oversaturated electronics market is becoming a difficult task that requires detailed analysis of characteristics. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S model has long been one of the most popular offers in the budget segment, attracting buyers at an affordable price for a diagonal of 43 inches and support for 4K resolution. However, the attractive price tag hides many nuances that become noticeable only after the start of active operation of the device in real conditions.
In this review, we're not going to recapture the dry specs from the box, but rather the real-world user experience that the owner faces after a month of use: picture quality, system speed and peripheral connectivity are the parameters that determine the comfort of daily browsing. Understanding the real state of affairs will help you avoid disappointment and make an informed decision about buying.
The Mi TV 4S is a compromise device designed by engineers to maximize cost, lacking the premium body materials or advanced image processing technology that characterizes flagship lines, but offering a surprisingly wide range of features based on the full Android TV operating system.
Design and quality of the body assembly
Visually, the TV looks much more expensive than it really is. The thin bezels around the screen and the concise stand create a sense of lightness and modernity. The body is made of plastic, but the quality of its processing is at a decent level: there are no unnecessary backlashes, creaks or visible traces of poor-quality adhesive parts. Assembly is done in TCL factories, which is the industry standard for budget models.
But when you look closer, the savings are obvious: the back is completely plastic and has no metal coating, which makes the device susceptible to scratches and scuffs. The thickness of the case is uneven: at the top it is minimal, but it increases markedly to accommodate electronic fillings. This is a typical cost-cutting solution, which, however, does not affect functionality.
The stand of the TV is made in the form of two legs apart, and this solution requires a fairly wide bench, because the distance between the legs is large. If you have narrow furniture, you will have to find alternative ways of attaching, for example, using a universal VESA 200x200 bracket. The bracket is mounted with standard screws that come with a kit, which makes it easier to install on the wall.
It is important to consider that the glossy elements of the logo and lower end quickly collect dust. To maintain a presentable appearance will require regular cleaning. Despite the budget of materials, the assembly does not cause complaints: the device does not flex with careful installation and retains geometry for a long time of operation.
Matrix and image quality
The central element of any television is the matrix. 4S used IPS-resolution 3840×2160 So that means that the viewing angles are great, that the image doesn't invert or lose its brightness, even when you look at the side of the screen, but you have to pay for the wide viewing angles with the contrast that you have. IPS-The matrices are traditionally lower than the VA-analogue.
Color reproduction in standard modes looks pretty natural, without the flashy oversaturation that is often found in cheap TVs from other brands. HDR10 formally present, but due to the limited brightness of the backlight (about 300 cd / m2) real extended dynamic range you will not see. HDR-The content may even seem more dim than in the usual SDR.
⚠️ Warning: When you view dark scenes in a poorly lit room, you can see the lights on the edges of the screen. LED with a small number of local dimming zones.
To improve the quality of the picture, it is strongly recommended to switch the image mode in the settings. Standard mode "Bright" or "Standard" often sins with excessive sharpness and unnatural skin tones. Movie or Standard mode with manual adjustment of parameters gives the most realistic picture, and it is also worth turning off all the noise reduction and dynamic contrast functions that often introduce artifacts.
The matrix update rate is 60Hz, which is the standard for this class. This is more than enough for watching movies and TV shows. However, gamers planning to connect to the next generation consoles must take into account the lack of support for 120Hz and technologies like VRR, which limits the possibilities in dynamic shooters.
Sound system and audio capabilities
The built-in speaker system consists of two 8-watt speakers at the bottom of the body, and the sound is downward, which, when mounted on the bench, can lead to the loss of some of the high frequencies if the dynamic heads are too close to the table surface, and the volume is enough to view news or background broadcasts in the kitchen.
Basses in such a compact case physically can not be many, but for dialogue and general effects, the sound quality is acceptable. Support for Dolby Audio and DTS-HD decoders is present, which allows you to broadcast multi-channel sound to external acoustics via optical output or HDMI ARC. This is an important feature for creating a home theater.
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To improve sound, use the optical output (S/PDIF) to connect the soundbar or external speaker system, as the built-in speakers are not able to unlock the potential of surround sound.
At maximum volume, standard modes can be distorted, especially in the low-frequency range. If you plan to watch action movies often or listen to music through the TV, it is better to immediately budget for the purchase of external acoustics.
An important advantage is the availability of Bluetooth 4.2, which allows you to connect wireless headphones. This is ideal for night watching movies, so as not to disturb home, latency when connecting high-quality headphones is minimal and does not interfere with the perception of the video.
Android TV Interface and Performance
One of the main reasons for the popularity of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is the availability of a full-fledged Android TV 9.0 operating system (with the ability to upgrade to newer versions depending on the region), which turns the TV into a smart center that does not require additional consoles.
The hardware is represented by a Cortex-A53 processor and a Mali-450 graphics accelerator. The amount of RAM is 2 GB, and the built-in memory is 8 GB. For basic tasks, this is enough, but the system is not without braking. When switching between heavy applications or quickly flipping the menu, micro-freezes can occur.
☑️ Optimizing Android work TV
There is not much space left after installing all system updates and preinstalled software. APK-8GB files can run out quickly.We recommend using an external file. USB-storage device for storing media files and installing heavy programs.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t install the dubious launchers and accelerators from the Play Market on your TV, which often consume more resources than they are useful, and can slow down the system.
Navigation is done using a voice-enabled remote. Voice search works fairly accurately, recognizing commands even in Russian, which is convenient for quickly searching for content on YouTube or online cinemas. However, many services may require DNS setup or custom software installation to work properly.
Connection and peripheral devices
Set of ports from Xiaomi Mi TV 4S It's standard for the budget segment, but it's sufficient for most use cases, and there are two ports on the back and the side panels. HDMI 2.0, two. USB (one USB 3.0), antenna jack, optical output and headphone input. USB 3.0 (blue connector) is critical for heavy-duty playback 4K-files from the external disk.
The TV confidently "digests" high bitrate video files, including codecs HEVC (H.265) and VP9. This allows you to watch content from a flash drive or over a local network through the application. VLC Or a built-in player without jerking or desynchronizing sound. NTFS Allows you to connect large disks without formatting.
| Interface. | Version/Type | Appointment | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI | 2.0 x2 | Video/Audio 4K 60Hz | ARC support for one port |
| USB | 3.0 x1, 2.0 x1 | Media/Periphery | USB 3.0 for heavy files |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz | Network | Dual-band module |
| Audio Out | Optical (S/PDIF) | Digital sound | Support for Dolby Digital |
Wireless modules are presented with Wi-Fi support for two bands (2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth. Operating in the 5 GHz band provides stable streaming of high-resolution video without buffering, which is especially true for routers with support for this standard. Wi-Fi signal is captured confidently even through one wall.
Problems with Bluetooth headset
There is no separate port to connect a wired Ethernet (LAN), which is common practice in thin TVs. If you need stable wired Internet, you'll have to buy a USB-LAN adapter, which you need to check separately for compatibility with Android TV, most often with Realtek chip adapters.
Typical problems and ways to solve them
Like any electronics, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is not without software and hardware features that you should know about in advance. One of the frequent complaints is the spontaneous shutdown of the Wi-Fi module or its unstable operation, which is often solved by turning off the power saving function in network settings or changing the channel on the router.
Another common problem is the sound dump after you leave the waiting mode or switch the signal sources, in which case the TV restart completely disconnected from the network (pulling the plug from the socket for 10-15 seconds), a program reset through the settings menu can also temporarily solve the problem.
⚠️ If the TV stopped seeing USB-try formatting it into an exFAT file system or FAT32. Format NTFS Sometimes causes conflicts when working with certain versions of the firmware.
Users experience a freeze in the interface, where the combination of buttons on the remote or the use of Remote Control for Android TV on a smartphone to force a reboot helps, and regular cleaning of the cache and removing rarely used applications prolongs the life of the system.
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Most software failures in the Mi TV 4S are solved by a full Power Cycle – disconnecting power from the outlet, not just turning off the remote.
Final assessment and feasibility of purchase
To sum up, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S remains one of the best deals on the market in its price range, if you turn a blind eye to some trade-offs: it is a great second TV for the kitchen, bedroom or cottage, and a good option for those who want to get 4K and Smart TV for minimal money.
The device is suitable for users who are willing to put up with a plastic case and average contrast for the functionality of Android TV. If you are an avid moviegoer who requires the perfect black color, or a hardcore gamer, you should look towards more expensive models with VA matrices and a frequency of 120 Hz.
The big deal is price-to-opportunity, and for the cost of a regular Full HD TV, you get 4K resolution, voice control, access to a huge library of apps, and when you set up and understand the limitations, this TV can keep you happy for years to come.
The Secret of Longevity
Should you buy a Xiaomi Mi TV 4S today? If the budget is tight and the image requirements are not professional, it is definitely a working content consumption tool that does its job better than many competitors with stripped-down proprietary systems.