Who is the manufacturer of Xiaomi TVs: analysis of brands and factories

Many users, choosing a new appliance for the home, wonder: Xiaomi TV, who is the manufacturer? This interest is quite justified, because behind the laconic logo hides a complex chain of production processes, covering several countries and large corporations. The Chinese giant, known for its smartphones, does not own all the factories that produce screens and components under its brand, which often causes confusion among buyers.

Unlike Samsung or LG, which have a full production cycle of matrixes and electronics, Xiaomi operates on the model of OEM and ODM. This means that the design, interface of Android TV and software are developed by the engineers of the parent company, and the physical assembly and production of panels are delegated to third-party partners. Understanding this structure helps to avoid disappointment and correctly assess the quality of the device purchased.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what factories collect popular TV series, what sub-brands differ from each other and what you should pay attention to when buying to get the most for your money.

Production strategy: OEM vs ODM

To understand who makes Xiaomi TVs, you need to understand the difference between the two main collaboration models (OEM) Xiaomi provides the partner with a complete drawing, specifications and quality requirements, and the plant only assembles the device from the provided components (ODM) The TV manufacturer develops the hardware and platform, and Xiaomi just puts its logo and installs its shell.

Most low-end models, such as the 4A or 4S series, are built in the second scenario, which allows for a low price, but the quality can vary depending on the specific partner plant. Flagship lines, such as the Master Series, are usually produced with stricter controls and often at the facilities of more eminent partners.

It is important to understand that the lack of own plants is not a sign of poor quality, but a modern business model that allows you to flexibly change suppliers depending on the availability of matrices and logistics conditions, but the buyer should know that the “stuffing” of two similar-looking models released in different months may differ.

Main partner plants: TCL, Hisense and others

If you're wondering which factory your TV is built, the answer is probably one of China's largest holding companies: Xiaomi's main partners over the years have been TCL, Hisense and Changhong, names that are well known in the global market, and they also make their own brands.

For example, many 43- and 55-inch models were assembled at TCL. It is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of matrixes. The TVs assembled on these lines often feature good color reproduction and reliable soldering of the board. At the same time, some budget series could be produced at Hisense factories, which is also a sign of quality, albeit a lower price segment.

Making matters worse, Xiaomi does not advertise a specific factory contract for each model, partners can vary depending on the production line load, so a TV of the same model bought in 2021 and 2023 can be assembled in different factories, sometimes leading to differences in the quality of plastic or brightness of the backlight.

How to identify a real manufacturer by labeling

You can find out who made your copy by looking carefully at the sticker on the back of the device, usually the country of assembly (most often China, less often Russia or India) and the model, but the key element is the serial number and model code, which often contains the manufacturer's cipher.

You can also find information in the software menu. Go to Settings → Device → Status. There may be a manufacturer of the panel or the main board. Sometimes the model name contains code names, for example, the letters CSOT may indicate the use of matrices from a subsidiary of TCL.

For advanced users, there is a way to get complete technical information through the Engineering Menu or ADB. By typing getprop ro.product.manufacturer into the console, you can get the name of the hardware platform manufacturer. However, this method requires skill and caution, since improper actions in system files can lead to failures.

Comparison of component manufacturers

The quality of the TV depends not only on the build, but also on the components. Xiaomi uses matrixes and processors from different suppliers. Leaders in the production of LCD and OLED panels are BOE, CSOT (a subsidiary of TCL) and HKC. Sound systems are often developed in conjunction with audiophiles or companies like DTS and Dolby.

Below is a table showing the approximate distribution of components in different Xiaomi TV series:

As the table shows, even within a single brand, there is diversity: P1 models popular in Europe and Russia were often assembled at Changhong plants or even at Vestel’s European plant in Turkey, ensuring that local quality standards were met.

⚠️ Note: Do not rely only on the country of assembly. TV assembled in Russia from Chinese components, technically not different from the Chinese counterpart, as the main nodes (matrix, board, processor) are still imported.

Differences between the Chinese version and the Chinese version

One of the important aspects that customers are concerned about is the difference between the versions for the domestic market of China and global models: Chinese versions often have a richer package and advanced features, but lack support for Google Android TV and Netflix in high resolution out of the box.

Global versions are strictly controlled for the necessary certificates and codec licenses. For example, to support Dolby Vision or HDR10+, the plant must obtain a license, which affects the final price. Chinese “gray” TVs may cost less, but the user risks getting a device without Russian on the menu and with idle streaming services.

In addition, global models often differ in remote control design and port location, and the software also differs: the global version preinstalled Google Play store, and the Chinese version – the MIUI for TV app store, which is useless outside of China without complex manipulation.

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When buying a Xiaomi TV, be sure to check for the Netflix button on the remote and the Dolby/Android TV logos on the box – these are the surest signs of a global version assembled to international standards.

Frequent problems and build reliability

Despite aggressive pricing, Xiaomi TVs are generally considered reliable, but like any technology, they have their own “pain points”: users sometimes complain about the lack of brightness in budget models or slow interface performance when RAM is overloaded.

Building quality issues, such as plastic creaking or back leg lifts, are more common in the cheapest series, where the manufacturer has saved on body materials. In more expensive models, where the assembly was done by partners of the TCL level, such complaints are much less. Metal frames and glass rear panels in the premium segment speak of the high class of the device.

It’s worth mentioning software glitches, too. Because Xiaomi uses its own add-on over Android, there are sometimes bugs in the firmware update, and it’s recommended that you don’t disconnect your TV from the network during the upgrade and let it complete all the background processes.

⚠️ Warning: If the TV stops working properly after the update, don't rush to bring it to the service. Often helps a full reset to factory settings through the Settings menu → About the device → Reset.

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The reliability of the Xiaomi TV directly depends on the specific series and year of release: the newer the model and higher its positioning, the better the components and assembly.

Which one should you choose: Xiaomi or competitors?

When choosing between Xiaomi and direct competitors like Samsung, LG or TCL, it’s important to understand that you pay primarily for the ecosystem and interface. The hardware from all low-end and mid-range manufacturers is often the same, as the matrixes are purchased from the same suppliers (BOE, Innolux).

Xiaomi benefits from clean Android TV (in global versions) and smart home integration. If you want a TV as a monitor for gaming or for watching cable TV over a console, the difference in picture quality between Xiaomi and Samsung middle class will be minimal.However, if you are a fan of Samsung’s QLED or LG’s OLED technology, their flagship lines still hold the palm of the picture processing.

However, for most users looking for a balance of price and functionality, Xiaomi TVs remain one of the best deals on the market: They provide 4K resolution, Smart TVs and modern design at a price affordable to a wide range of consumers.