Choosing between the Xiaomi TV P1 and Xiaomi TV 4S is often a challenge for the buyer, as both devices are positioned in the affordable price segment, but offer different user scenarios. At first glance, it may seem that the difference is minimal, since both brands belong to the same ecosystem, but important nuances emerge when looking at the technical specifications.
The 4S has long been the king of the budget market, offering 4K resolution for minimal money, but it has a number of design limitations that are only noticeable when used actively.In turn, the P1 lineup is positioned as a more modern alternative with improved color reproduction and support for new HDR standards, making it attractive for viewing high-quality content.
In this article, we will discuss in detail which TV is best for your conditions, so that you do not overpay for unnecessary functions or, conversely, do not become disappointed as a picture.
Design and design features
The appearance of the Xiaomi TV 4S is made in the classic for the budget segment style: wide plastic frames and a stand, which takes up quite a lot of space on the cabinet. Assembly in this model is often criticized due to the use of glossy plastic, which actively collects fingerprints and visually reduces the cost of the device.
The P1 has a more modern design with narrow frames, allowing it to fit more organically into the interior even when it is turned off. The body materials here are more pleasant to the touch, and the overall ergonomics are better thought out, especially if you plan to mount the TV on the wall with a bracket.
⚠️ Attention: The model 4S There is often an asymmetrical arrangement of the legs of the stand, which requires a wide cabinet. P1 The legs are spread as wide as possible, so measure your furniture in advance.
The weight of the devices is also different: the more massive P1 body feels more reliable, whereas the 4S seems quite fragile when transported. If premium appearance is important to you without overpaying for top brands, then P1 wins this fight.
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The P1’s design is more modern and practical, while the 4S looks utilitarian and requires careful handling.
Matrix quality and color reproduction
The most important difference lies in the panels used. Xiaomi TV 4S is based on the classic VA-matrix with a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which provides good contrast, but the viewing angles leave much to be desired. Colors on the 4S often look oversaturated in standard modes, requiring long calibration.
The P1 series uses more advanced panels with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which is critical for modern streaming services. Dynamic range is wider, blacks (black) deeper, and gradients are smoother, which is especially noticeable in dark scenes of movies.
- 🎨 P1 Supports extended color coverage, which makes the picture more natural.
- 👁️ U 4S When viewed from the side, the picture fades noticeably and loses contrast.
- 📺 P1 has built-in support MEMC (interpolation of personnel, smoothing movements in sports.
If you are an avid moviegoer, then the difference in format support HDR It's going to be a big factor. The budget model is just mapping. HDR-signal, but cannot reveal its potential due to low peak brightness, while P1 They are doing this task much better.
Hardware platform and productivity
The heart of any smart TV is the processor, and here lies another significant difference: the Xiaomi TV 4S often installs entry-level chipsets that struggle with heavy interfaces and can slow down when switching applications: 1 GB of RAM (found in old revisions) or 1.5 GB is no longer enough for a comfortable work in 2026.
The P1 comes with a more powerful 4-core processor and typically 2GB of RAM, which provides smooth navigation on the Android TV menu. App launches are faster, and systems do not “fall asleep” when trying to open YouTube or Netflix.
⚠️ Attention: Don't buy 4S 1GB of memory, if you plan to actively use smart functions, the system will work extremely slowly.
For games through cloud services or third-party installations APK-file P1 It will also be sufficient, while 4S It can heat up and trottle at high loads, and the stability of the interface is a key argument for a newer model.
Why are TVs slowing down?
Sound system and audio formats
The sound in budget-class TVs is rarely reference, but there are differences here as well. Xiaomi TV 4S features a basic 2x8W or 2x10W stereo system that sounds flat and lacks bass. For comfortable movie viewing, you're almost guaranteed to need external acoustics or a soundbar.
In P1, engineers have focused more on acoustics: Dolby Audio and DTS:X are often supported, and speakers are arranged to create a more surround sound. Power can reach 2x10 watts or 2x12 watts depending on the diagonal, which makes the sound louder and cleaner.
- 🔊 P1 Supports virtual surround sound without external speakers.
- 🎵 4S Often distorts high frequencies at maximum volume.
- 🔌 Both TVs have optical output for external acoustics.
If you’re not planning on connecting a home theater, then P1 will provide a much more enjoyable experience of watching news and TV out of the box.
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To improve the sound on any of these TVs, connect Bluetooth headphones or a portable speaker, as the built-in speakers are still compromised.
Interfaces and Peripheral Connection
Port set is something that manufacturers often save on, but in this comparison, parity is only slightly more than that: HDMI, USB, antenna input and Wi-Fi module, but version HDMI Ports may differ.
In P1, HDMI 2.1 ports are common (at least one), which theoretically allows for 4K signal transmission at 60 Hz with support for game modes. In 4S, ports are most often limited to HDMI 2.0, which is enough for movies, but less promising for new-generation consoles.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi TV 4S | Xiaomi TV P1 |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI ports | 2-3 pcs (HDMI 2.0) | 3 units (HDMI 2.1 in some versions) |
| USB ports | 2 pcs (USB 2.0) | 2 pieces (1x USB 3.0) |
| Wi-Fi standard | 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz (Dual Band) |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 / 5.0 | 5.0 |
The presence of USB 3.0 in the P1 model (depending on the diagonal) allows you to play heavy video files from external hard drives without delay, which is important for local media libraries.
☑️ Pre-purchase check
Operating system and content
Both TVs run on Android TV (or PatchWall variants in some regions), giving access to Google Play's huge app store.However, optimizing the 4S interface could be worse due to less powerful hardware, as discussed earlier.
The P1 system gets security updates and patches for Android a little longer, because it’s a more relevant model, and it’s important for new versions of YouTube, Netflix and online cinemas to work properly, which may eventually stop being supported on older versions of the software.
Voice search and smart home management are more stable on newer models. Integration with the Mi Home ecosystem allows you to use the TV as a control center, but the response speed of commands depends on the processor.
⚠️ Note: When you first set up, be sure to update your firmware to the latest version to avoid bugs in the work of Smart-functions, characteristic of the versions.
The user experience on the P1 feels more “honed” to modern requirements, while the 4S may feel a bit sluggish in navigation.
Summary comparison and recommendations
To sum up, the Xiaomi TV 4S is the choice for those looking for the most budget-friendly solution for a cottage, kitchen or secondary room where the requirements for picture quality and interface speed are minimal.
Xiaomi TV P1 is a full-fledged multimedia center for the living room, offering a better screen, faster interface and up-to-date image standards, and the overpayment in this case is fully justified by the difference in quality of materials and performance.
If budget allows, choosing a P1 is more rational in the long run, as it will stay relevant longer and enjoy the quality of the image.
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The P1 wins by all parameters except price. the 4S only makes sense to buy with very austerity.