Xiaomi TV 4A and 4S: What’s the difference?

Choosing a modern TV is often a difficult quest, especially when it comes to popular brands that offer a wide range of models at affordable prices. Xiaomi has become a real revolutionary in the market, offering consumers devices with excellent value for money. However, before buying, many are faced with the dilemma: which model to choose, so as not to overpay for unnecessary features or, conversely, not to be disappointed in the basic characteristics.

The most popular series for several years remain Xiaomi Mi TV 4A and Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. At first glance, they seem almost identical: the same design, the same operating system and the same price segment. But the devil, as always, lies in the details, the differences between these models can be a decisive factor for comfortable viewing content in 4K or listening to music.

In this article, we will make a detailed comparison of the technical characteristics, materials of the case, image quality and sound systems of both TVs. You will learn why the model with the index 4S is positioned as more premium, and whether it is worth its price compared to the budget 4A. Understanding these nuances will help you make an informed decision and purchase equipment that fully meets your needs.

Design and design features of the buildings

The first thing that catches your eye when you physically compare these models is the approach to materials. The Xiaomi 4A series is made primarily of plastic. It's a classic low-end solution that reduces the weight of the device and the total cost. Plastic can be matte or glossy depending on the specific modification, but it's tactile inferior to metal. The frames in this series are usually thin, but are made of polycarbonate.

In turn, the Xiaomi 4S (especially in versions with a diagonal of 43 inches and above) flaunts a metal body. The use of aluminum not only gives the device a more solid and expensive look, but also improves heat sink, which is critical for the durability of electronics. Metal edge of the screen makes the TV more durable and resistant to mechanical damage when mounted on the wall.

Also worth noting is the difference in the stands: the 4A legs are often plastic and are located on the edges, which requires a wide bench. The 4S can be equipped with more stable metal legs, located closer to the center or having a different geometry, which makes it easier to place on furniture of different widths.

• 🔘 Case material 4A: High-strength plastic, lightweight construction, budget execution.
• 🔘 Case material 4S: All-metal body (aluminum alloy), premium look, best heat sink.
• 🔘 Design of frames: Y 4S frames are often thinner and have a metallic texture, 4A — plastic-board.

⚠️ Attention: With wall mounting of the Xiaomi TV 4S Make sure the mounts can withstand the weight of the metal body, which is always heavier than the plastic counterpart of the series. 4A.

Matrix quality and image technology

Both sets are positioned as 4K Ultra HD (3840×2160 pixel) devices, which means that the pixel density per inch (PPI) will be high, providing a clear picture even on large diagonals. However, resolution support is only the tip of the iceberg. The quality of the final picture depends on the type of matrix used, brightness and color coverage.

Xiaomi model 4A usually equipped with standard VA or IPS It's a 60Hz refresh rate matrix, which is enough to watch TV, YouTube and most movies. Color reproduction is set to be natural, but the brightness margin can be limited, which is noticeable when watching. HDR-content in very bright rooms.

Xiaomi 4S series often gets more advanced matrices with improved color gamut. In the specifications, you can find mention of HDR10 technology and support for a wide color range. While the difference in native frame rate (often also 60 Hz) may not be obvious, the image processing algorithms in 4S work better, smoothing out noise and improving contrast in dark scenes.

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To customize the image, go to Settings → Image → Modes and select “Cinema” or “Standard” for the most accurate color rendering, avoiding “Bright” mode, which often distorts colors.

An important aspect is the support HDR. If 4A can decode HDR-The signal is programmatic, the physical brightness of the screen may not meet the requirements of the standard, making the picture dim. 4S the brightness reserve is usually higher, which allows you to really appreciate the advantages of a highly dynamic range, although the full range of the range is not very high. HDR-TV in the flagship sense it is difficult to call it.

Audio system and sound quality

Sound is the area where the differences between the models are most pronounced. Xiaomi 4A TVs have a basic acoustic system installed. Usually these are two speakers with 8 watts (16 watts in total) The sound is flat, medium-frequency, with minimal bass. For normal news or talk shows, this is enough, but for movies and music you will need external acoustics.

Xiaomi 4S was designed with multimedia in mind. It often uses Dolby Audio and DTS-HD technology. The 4S speakers can reach 2×10 W or even 2×12 W depending on the diagonal. The metal body acts as a resonator, making the sound more voluminous and clean, without the characteristic plastic sound.

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If you plan to use a TV without an extra soundbar or home theater, the 4S model will be a significantly better choice thanks to built-in Dolby Audio support and more powerful speakers.

In addition, the 4S often implements a more complex layout of speakers aimed at creating a surround sound effect. Software equalizers also offer more settings to fine-tune the sound scene to the user's preferences.

• 🔊 Power 4A: Standard. 2x8 Watt, sound is suitable for background tasks.
• 🔊 Power 4S: Strengthened system 2x10/12 Watts with Dolby Audio support.
• 🔊 Quality: B 4S sound is clearer, there are pronounced low frequencies, in 4A — mid-frequency.

⚠️ Attention: To connect external acoustics via optical output (S/PDIF) model 4S Sometimes you need to activate the digital output in the sound settings, since by default priority is given to the built-in speakers.

Hardware platform and productivity

The heart of any Smart TV is the processor. Both Xiaomi series traditionally use chipsets from MediaTek. However, the generations of processors may differ. In the Xiaomi 4A series, you often find quad-core Cortex-A53 processors with a frequency of up to 1.5 GHz and a Mali-450 graphics accelerator.

Xiaomi 4S series can be equipped with newer chip modifications, for example, with an improved video decoder or more productive graphics Mali-470.This affects the speed of the interface, opening heavy applications and decoding high bitrate video. RAM in both models is most often 1-2 GB, and built-in 8 GB, which is the standard for this segment.

The performance difference becomes noticeable when navigating menus. 4S responds to remote commands a little faster, transition animations are smoother. When running heavy apps like Netflix in 4K or YouTube with a high bitrate, the 4S is less prone to slowdowns.

Support for wireless modules is also worth mentioning: Both models feature Wi-Fi (typically 2.4GHz, some 4S versions have 5GHz) and Bluetooth. Having Bluetooth 4.2 or higher in the 4S allows you to connect more modern wireless headphones and gamepads with less power consumption and latency.

Comparison of interfaces and ports of connection

Port set is a critical parameter for those who plan to connect game consoles, receivers or external drives. Here also there is a gradation from base to advanced. In Xiaomi 4A we see a standard set: usually 2 HDMI ports (one with ARC), 2 USB (one 2.0, one 3.0 depending on the year of release), antenna input and headphone output.

Xiaomi 4S often offers a richer package. The number of HDMI ports can be increased to three, allowing you to connect the console, console and Blu-ray player simultaneously without having to switch cables. Also in the 4S, a full-fledged USB 3.0 with blue tongue, which provides high data transfer speed when watching movies from the hard drive.

The ARC port (Audio Return Channel) is also worth noting, but it is more stable in the 4S when connected to external receivers that support surround sound, allowing you to control the volume of the TV and soundbar with one remote control without unnecessary settings.

Operating system and software

Both sets are based on the Android TV operating system (in the new Google TV models), which means access to the Google Play store, the ability to install any application, support for Chromecast built-in and the voice assistant Google Assistant. The interface is the same for both models, but the speed of its work depends on the hardware, which was discussed above.

An important aspect is support for updates. Xiaomi regularly releases security patches and system updates. However, priority in getting new versions of Android TV is often given to more expensive models. Xiaomi 4S can get interface updates and new features earlier than the budget 4A.

Google Cast works identically on both models, allowing you to stream content from your smartphone to the big screen. Voice search is also available, but the quality of speech recognition depends more on the microphone in the remote than on the TV model. Complete with 4S, sometimes there are more advanced remotes with additional buttons to start streaming services.

Final verdict: what to choose?

To sum up the comparison, the Xiaomi 4A and Xiaomi 4S are two different classes of devices, despite their similarities. The 4A is the perfect "working soldier" for the kitchen, cottage, bedroom or hotel room. It performs its functions, shows a good picture and is inexpensive. It makes no sense to overpay for it if you just need a screen for the background broadcast.

The 4S is the choice for the living room, where the TV is the centerpiece of the interior and entertainment. The metal body, better sound and slightly more productive iron justify the difference in price if you plan to watch high-quality movies and play games. It is a device for those who value aesthetics and media quality.

⚠️ Note: Pay attention to the delivery region when buying. Global Version has Google Play built-in and Russian language support out of the box, while Chinese versions have a strong presence (CN Version) require customization and may not have the necessary certifications to work with Netflix. 4K.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your budget and requirements. If the price difference is minimal, take the 4S. If the budget is limited and metal and Dolby Audio are not a priority, the 4A will be a great acquisition, not inferior to competitors in its price segment.