Xiaomi Mi Box 3S: differences from its predecessors and key features

In the world of digital media players, the Xiaomi Mi Box 3S occupies a unique niche of the device, which has become a kind of “people’s” standard for turning a regular TV into a Smart TV. Many users still look for this gadget in the secondary market or in the remains of warehouses, trying to understand whether it is worth its money compared to newer versions. The main thing you need to know right away is not just an updated version, but rather a simplified modification aimed at reducing the price while maintaining basic functionality.

The main interest in this device is that it is based on the Android TV operating system, which gives access to a huge number of applications from Google Play. However, when choosing between versions, there is often confusion in names and characteristics, key differences are in the support of resolution, the presence of a voice remote and hardware nuances that directly affect the user experience.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how the S-indicated console differs from the original three and the newer fourth model, and understanding these nuances will help you avoid the frustration of buying a device that may not be able to pull heavy content or have the necessary ports for your periphery.

Conceptual differences between Model 3 and 3S

At first glance, the Xiaomi Mi Box 3 and Xiaomi Mi Box 3S seem identical: a black square body, similar ports and the same operating system. However, if you dig deeper, it becomes clear that the 3S version was created as a budget alternative.

The most noticeable change for the user was video stream support. If the older model confidently played content in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, the "S" version is limited to 30 frames at the same resolution. This is not critical for watching movies, but the system interface may seem less smooth, and dynamic scenes in games or videos will have noticeable delays.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a console to connect to a monitor 4K for work or games, model 3S may not provide the desired smoothness of the cursor and interface due to limited refresh rate.

There are also differences in the configuration and design of the remote. While the original version often came with an advanced remote that supports Bluetooth control and voice input, the basic version of the "S" could be equipped with a simpler IR remote that requires direct vision with a receiver, a significant nuance that is often overlooked when buying used devices.

Technical characteristics and productivity

At the heart of the device is the Amlogic S905X processor, which is a quad-core chip with the ARM Cortex-A53 architecture. Although this processor is no longer a flagship, it is still capable of decoding most modern video formats, including the HEVC H.265 and VP9. The Mali-450 MP graphics accelerator, although morally outdated, copes with rendering the Android TV interface, albeit with the caveats mentioned above.

2GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage is the bare minimum for modern applications. RAM is quickly filled with background processes, which can lead to periodic reboots of heavy applications. Built-in memory is filled immediately after installing a pair of streaming services and caching data.

To enhance the capabilities of users often resort to connecting external drives. USB-Ports are limited by the standard 2.0. This means that the playback of heavy files with bitrate is higher. 80-100 Mbps can cause image twitching.

Below is a comparison table showing the difference in technical parameters between the model under discussion and its direct competitors of the time:

Features of connection and interfaces

The device's switching capabilities have remained virtually unchanged from their predecessor, which is a virtue rather than a disadvantage: the rear features HDMI 2.0a, USB 2.0 ports, an S/PDIF optical audio output and a power jack. The optical output allows the console to be connected to external audio systems and receivers, which is highly valued by audiophiles.

However, there have been some modifications to version 3S that have trimmed or no support for some of the profiles required for wireless headphones or gamepads. If you want to connect peripherals through the air, you need to carefully check the specific revision of the device. The standard Wi-Fi module supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, which ensures a stable stream of data.

⚠️ Note: When using long-term HDMI-cables (more than 2 meters) on the model 3S There may be problems with signal transmission. 4K It has a less powerful signal transmitter than version 3.

Connecting a wired Ethernet network that is not in the device will require a dedicated USB-LAN adapter. Drivers for most popular chipsets (Realtek, ASIX) are built into the Android TV core, so the connection usually happens automatically after inserting into the USB port.

Software and ecosystem

Officially, the device runs on Android TV, which guarantees the availability of Google Play Store, Google Cast and voice assistant (if you have the appropriate remote control), this is a major advantage over regular Android boxes, which are often not certified by Google and can not play high quality content on Netflix or YouTube.

However, users often face the need to update their firmware. Unlike smartphones, there are no automatics. OTA-It's important to understand that the firmware for version 3 may not be suitable for the system. 3S Due to hardware differences, particularly in the Wi-Fi module.

For advanced users, alternative launchers such as ATV Launcher or Fauncher are available to remove ads and speed up the interface, and installing IPTV and torrent-streaming apps is also popular, although processor performance imposes limits on buffer size.

adb connect 192.168.1.XX


adb install -r ATVLauncher.apk

This code demonstrates the basic command to install a launcher through network debugging, which is the standard procedure for customizing a device.

Comparison with Xiaomi Mi Box 4 and 4 Pro

When it comes to choosing between the old 3S and the newer Xiaomi Mi Box 4, the difference becomes even more obvious: the fourth model received HDR10 support, a more modern remote with quick access buttons and, importantly, an improved algorithm for working with Wi-Fi. Although the processor remained the same, the optimization of the system in Android TV 9.0 (which received the “four”) made the interface more responsive.

The 4 Pro, in turn, offers 60 frames per second in 4K, support for Dolby Vision and increased memory. Compared to them, the 3S looks really archaic. The only scenario where 3S can win is using it as a server for light content or in conjunction with a projector, where 30 frames in 4K are not so noticeable.

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Use the Mi Remote app on your smartphone if your desktop is lost or doesn’t have Bluetooth, allowing you to control the console over a Wi-Fi network without having to buy a replacement.

If you choose a device for parents or for the kitchen, where high performance is not required, 3S But for the living room and the main TV in 2026 and beyond, it's better to consider more modern analogues, because the requirements for codecs and the basic TV are not very good. DRM-The protections are growing.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Owners of Xiaomi Mi Box 3S They often complain about overheating, and the compact case and passive cooling make the case hot when you watch heavy files for a long time, which can cause the processor to trottle and performance to drop. The solution could be to install the device away from heat sources or use active heat. USB-cooler.

Another common problem is the "grid" of resolution settings, sometimes after turning off the TV, the console can switch to a low resolution or black screen, in which case resetting the screen settings through the menu or using a button combination on the remote (if supported).

⚠️ Warning: It is not recommended to constantly interrupt the device by pulling the power cord.This can lead to file system damage and data loss, since Android actively writes logs and cache in the background.

To reset to factory settings, go to Settings → Device → Reset. If the menu is not available, you can use a physical reset button (if you have one in your revision) or a button combination on the remote when you turn on.

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The Xiaomi Mi Box 3S is a compromise solution: the price is lower, but the performance in 4K is limited to 30 frames, which makes it less attractive for modern 4K TVs.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions