Why it is important to know the year of release of Xiaomi Mi TV 4X
Xiaomi Mi TV 4X has become one of the most popular smart TVs in the budget segment due to the combination of modern technology and affordable price. However, over the years of production (2018-2021), the model has undergone several significant updates, both hardware and software.
- The correct firmware or software update (versions for 2018 and 2020 are often incompatible).
Evaluate the relevance of technical specifications (for example, HDR10 support appeared only in the 2019 version).
Avoid buying outdated modifications at the price of a new one (in the secondary market, TVs of 2018 are often issued as models of 2020).
In this article, we will take a look at all official versions of the Mi TV 4X, learn how to determine the year of release by serial number and markers on the box, and compare key differences between generations. If you are planning to buy or already own this TV, the information will be useful for optimal customization and maintenance.
Official release years Xiaomi Mi TV 4X: model chronology
The Mi TV 4X line-up debuted in 2018 as a budget alternative to the Mi TV 4 flagship series, and has been produced in four main iterations, each with its own characteristics:
- 📅 2018 – First version with Amlogic processor T962, 2 GB of RAM and basic support HDR (certified).
- 📅 2019 – updated firmware based on Android TV 9.0, improved color reproduction and the addition of Dolby Audio.
- 📅 2020 – the transition to the Amlogic chipset T972, 2.5 GB of RAM, full certification HDR10 and HLG.
- 📅 2021 – Final update with optimization for Google Assistant and fixing bugs of previous versions.
Important: after 2021, Xiaomi officially stopped production of the Mi TV 4X, replacing it with the Mi TV 5X and Mi TV Q1 models. However, there are still unsold stocks of older versions on the market, especially in the diagonals 43" and 50".
How to determine the year of release by serial number
The most reliable way to know the production date is to decipher the serial number (S/N) that is printed on the back of the TV and duplicated in the settings menu. The format for the Mi TV 4X is as follows:
L1804DE
└─┬─┘ │
│ └─→ Manufacturing code (not important for year determination)
└─────→ Date code (first 4 characters)Decoding of the date code:
- 🔢 The first character is a letter indicating the year: L - 2018 M - 2019 N - 2020 P - 2021
- 📅 The second and third symbols are the month of production (e.g. 04). = spring).
- 🏭 The fourth symbol is the factory (may be D, E, F, etc.).
Example: Serial number M0705DE123456 means that the TV is released in July 2019 (M = 2019, 07 = July).
⚠️ Note: On fake TVs, serial numbers are often forged. Check the number on the box and the back - they must match. Also note the sticker with the Xiaomi hologram (it is difficult to fake).
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If the serial number is erased, try to find it in the TV menu: Settings → About TV → Status. There will be a version of the firmware that indirectly confirms the year of release.
Differences in 2018, 2019 and 2020 versions: a comparative table
Even the seemingly identical Mi TV 4X can vary greatly depending on the year of release, and the following are key technical differences that affect performance and capabilities:
| Parameter | 2018 | 2019 | 2020-2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Amlogic T962 (4 Cortex-A53, 1.5 GHz cores) | Amlogic T962 (optimized firmware) | Amlogic T972 (4 Cortex-A55, 1.9 GHz cores) |
| RAM/ROM | 2 GB/8 GB | 2 GB/8 GB | 2.5 GB/16 GB (for 55" and 65") |
| Support for HDR | Basic (without certification) | HDR10 (partial) | HDR10 + HLG (full) |
| Sound. | 2 8 watt dynamics | 2 dynamics of 8 watts + Dolby Audio | 2 dynamics of 10 W + DTS-HD |
| Operating system | Android TV 8.1 | Android TV 9.0 | Android TV 10.0 (updated to 11) |
The critical difference: TVs of 2018 release do not support automatic upgrade to Android TV 10+. The maximum available version of the software for them is Android TV 9.0, which limits compatibility with new applications (for example, Disney+ or TikTok TV).
Where else can I find out the year of release: alternative methods
If the serial number is missing or in doubt, use alternative methods:
- Box and documents. Xiaomi's original packaging always shows the production date in format YYYY-MM-DD On a barcode sticker. Check it out: 📄 Warranty card – the date of sale often coincides with the year of release (if the TV was not in stock). 🏷️ Sticker on the back – next to the serial number can be a month and a year.
- Settings menu. Go to Settings. → On TV. → The software version, if the firmware version begins with: 🔢 1.0.xxx — 2018; 🔢 2.0.xxx–2.3.xxx — 2019; 🔢 3.0.xxx and above - 2020-2021.
- Appearances: TVs 2020+ yearly: 🖥️ Thinner frame (2 mm instead of 3 mm in the 2018 version). 🔌 Connector. HDMI 2.1 (instead of) HDMI 2.0 in older models). 🎛️ Remote with Google Assistant button (included since 2019).
What if the year of release does not coincide with the stated one?
Why it is important to update your firmware depending on the year of release
The firmware for the Mi TV 4X is strictly tied to hardware revision, and installing an inappropriate version can lead to:
- 🚨 Brick (the TV won't turn on).
- 🐢 Slowdown (due to unoptimized code for an older processor).
- 🔇 Loss of function (for example, will disappear) HDR or Google Play).
How to check compatibility:
- Find out the exact year of release (see previous sections).
- Download the firmware only from the official Xiaomi Support website by selecting a model indicating the year (for example, Mi TV 4X 2020).
- Compare the current version of the software (Settings → About TV) with the available updates.
Check the year of the TV release|Download the firmware for your revision|Connect your TV to the network via cable (not Wi-Fi)|Turn it off. USB-device|Do not turn off the TV during the upgrade (the process takes 10-15 minutes)
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⚠️ Attention: Mi TVs TV 4X 2018 does not support manual updates through USB, If the current version of the software is below 1.0.98, you need to contact the service center for flashing through Fastboot.
Frequent Old Version Problems (2018–2019) and How to Solve Them
Owners of early Mi TV 4X revisions often encounter typical bugs associated with outdated hardware, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Freezes when launching applications | Lack of RAM (2 GB in the 2018 version) | Close the background applications with the Home button → Close everything |
| No sound on Netflix or YouTube | The old Dolby Digital codecs | Update apps or use external speakers via HDMI ARC |
| HDR doesn't work in games | No HDR10 certification is available | Enable HDR Game mode manually in screen settings |
| Not connected to 5GHz Wi-Fi | Old Wi-Fi module (2018 version) | Use a 2.4GHz router or connect the cable |
For 2018 TVs, Xiaomi released a patch that improves performance, but it doesn't solve the memory shortage problem. TV-functions, consider the possibility of installing TV-consoles (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box S) instead of firmware updates.
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If your 2018-2019 TV is slowing down while watching 4K-Content, try to disable background animation in settings: Settings → Display and sound → Animation. → Off, that'll free up to 200MB of RAM.