Xiaomi 4S and 4A TVs: what’s the difference and which model to choose

Choosing a budget TV has become a challenge, especially when it comes to popular Xiaomi lines. Users are often lost when they see similarly named models like the 4S and 4A on store shelves that may appear identical visually, but hide significant differences under the hood.

Understanding the difference between the 4S and 4A series is critical, as overpaying for an S index is not always justified, and saving on an A model can lead to disappointment in image quality. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the specifications, design features and software so you can make an informed decision.

Both are marketed as affordable smart TVs, but their target audiences and use cases may be very different. If you plan to use the TV as your primary living room or bedroom monitor, you need to be aware of the hidden limitations of the cheaper version.

Design and design features of the buildings

At first glance, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S and 4A look pretty much the same: a thin profile, minimalist bezels and a neat stand. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that the materials are different. The 4S series model is most often clothed in a metal body Unibody, which gives the device a premium look and improves the heat dissipation of internal components.

The 4A series, on the other hand, is made primarily of plastic, which doesn't mean that the build quality is poor, but the tactile sensation and durability are inferior to metal, and plastic scratches more easily and can make characteristic sounds when heated during long periods of operation.

It is important to consider dimensions and weight when choosing a site: the 4S’s metal body makes it heavier, requiring a more robust bracket or a stable bench; the 4A series’ plastic counterparts are easier to mount on a wall, but less resistant to mechanical stress during transportation.

⚠️ Attention: When buying a model 4A Check the integrity of the corners of the body carefully. Plastic is prone to cracks when impacted, which cannot be repaired, unlike dents on metal.

Port and control button locations can also vary. In some 4S revisions, manufacturers leave more space around HDMI connectors, allowing cables with thick connectors to be connected without the use of adapters. In compact 4A enclosures, space is often limited and access to ports can be difficult.

Matrix quality and color reproduction of the image

The most important thing for any TV is the quality of the picture, and here lies one of the most significant differences. Xiaomi 4S models usually come with higher-brightness arrays and full HDR10 support, which means that when you watch content in high resolution, you will see deeper black and richer shades.

The 4A series often comes with basic IPS or VA panels with narrower color gamut. Although the stated resolution of 1920×1080 or 3840×2160 (4K) is met, the real detail and contrast are inferior to the older brother. In dark scenes of films on the 4A model, there can be lights on the edges of the screen.

Viewing angles are another critical point. If you plan to watch TV with a big company, the 4S series will provide a stable picture even when viewed from the side. Budget matrixes in 4A can lose contrast and invert colors when deviated from the central axis by more than 30 degrees.

For gamers, response time is an important parameter. The 4S specifications often specify support for minimal input latency (Input Lag) game mode. In the 4A model, the software processing of the image can take longer, which will lead to a noticeable delay between pressing a button on the gamepad and acting on the screen.

Processor performance and memory capacity

The internal stuffing is the brain of your TV, and here the difference between the 4S and 4A series becomes most obvious. Usually the 4S model is based on a more powerful quad-core processor, such as the Amlogic or MediaTek of recent generations, with clock speeds up to 1.5 GHz and above, which provides smooth navigation on the menu and fast download applications.

The 4A series often comes with simpler chipsets that may have difficulty with heavy applications or decoding high bitrate video.RAM (RAM) in the 4S version is usually 2GB and sometimes more, whereas in the 4A standard, the 1GB or even 512MB in older revisions is often the case.

The lack of RAM in the 4A model causes the system to slow down when switching between heavy apps like YouTube in 4K or online cinemas. Built-in storage (ROM) also differs: 8GB vs. 16GB or more in the older model.

The amount of internal memory you have affects the number of applications you can install. If you like to install a lot of third-party programs through APK files, the 4A model will quickly fill up and the system will start to run slower. In 4S you will have more freedom to experiment with the software.

Audio system and support for sound formats

Sound is half the viewing experience, and here Xiaomi also drew a clear line between the series. 4S TVs often feature more powerful speakers with a combined power of up to 20 watts and support for surround sound technology DTS-HD. This allows you to enjoy movies without connecting external acoustics.

The 4A models have a more modest audio system, usually around 6-10 watts. The sound in them can seem flat, with a lack of low frequencies. For comfortable viewing of news this is enough, but for a movie it is better to immediately plan to buy a sound panel or speakers.

An important aspect is the presence of optical output (S/PDIF). In the 4S series, it is almost always present, allowing you to connect external acoustics to produce high-quality sound. In some 4A versions, this connector may be missing, leaving you with only HDMI ARC or Bluetooth.

• 🔊 4S: Support for Dolby Audio, DTS, power up to 20 watts, the presence of a subwoofer in some models.
• 🔉 4A: Basic stereo, power up to 10 watts, lack of support for advanced codecs in some versions.
• 🎧 Common: Bluetooth for wireless headphones is available in both series.

⚠️ Note: When connecting the TV 4A to the home theater through HDMI ARC Make sure your receiver supports the audio format that the TV is giving out, otherwise the sound may not play back.

Operating system and programme functions

Both lines run on Android TV (or PatchWall variants depending on the region), but interface optimization can vary, with the more powerful 4S models running smoother animations and voice search activated instantly.

In the 4A, the interface may seem less responsive due to limited processor resources. System updates come on both models, but support for new versions of Android for the 4A budget series may stop sooner.

Chromecast built-in is present in both cases, allowing you to stream content from a smartphone, but connection stability and buffering speed of high-quality video on 4A can be lower, especially when using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi standard.

It's also worth mentioning codec support. the 4S confidently decodes modern video formats like VP9 and HEVC (H.265) in 4K at 60 frames per second. The 4A model may not pull heavy files locally via USB, requiring them to be pre-converted or using an external media player.

Comparative Characteristics Table

To organize this information, let's put the basic parameters into a single table, so you can quickly navigate and see the difference in numbers.

As you can see from the table, overpaying for the 4S version offers tangible benefits in performance and materials, but for a secondary TV in the kitchen or in the guest room, the 4A model may be a reasonable compromise.

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Use an external USB 3.0 drive to expand memory and install heavy applications if you have opted for a 4A model with a small amount of built-in storage.

Final verdict: what to choose in 2026

To sum up, the choice between the Xiaomi 4S and 4A depends on your priorities and budget. If you’re looking for a TV for the main living room, where picture quality, interface speed and appearance are important, then the 4S is the leader in this comparison.

The 4A is a choice for those who are limited in resources or looking for a device for specific tasks where high resolution and super-performance are not critical.

Remember that technology is evolving and even budget models are getting better, but for now the gap between the 4S and 4A series remains noticeable, especially in terms of durability and performance margin.

⚠️ Note: Pay attention to the region of the version (Global or Global) when buying. CN). Chinese versions (CN) may not have built-in Google Play and support for Russian out of the box, requiring third-party firmware installation.

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Choose the 4S series for the main use in the living room for better screen and performance, and the 4A series is considered as an economy option for secondary rooms.