The multimedia console market is crowded with dozens of models, but it is the Xiaomi Mi Box that has been holding the palm of the championship in the segment of affordable Android devices for many years. Users are often lost in the abundance of modifications, lettering and regional versions, not knowing which box they are buying, the difference between them can be critical, from voice search support to the ability to install applications from third-party sources.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the evolution of the line, explain the technical details, and help you decide on the choice for your TV, understanding the differences will avoid buying a device that will not pull 4K content or will have problems with remote compatibility.
Evolution of the line: from the first steps to 4K HDR
The Chinese giant’s media player story began not with instant success, but with the gradual introduction of new image quality standards. Early models like the Mi Box 3 laid the foundation by offering users a full-fledged Android TV operating system at an affordable price. However, the release of the Mi Box S was a watershed moment, as the device received support for 4K resolution and HDR technologies.
Modern modifications, including the Mi Box S 2nd Gen, retain the compact form factor, but have updated processors and faster memory. It is important to note that all generations look almost identical on the surface, which often leads consumers astray when buying from hand or in small electronics stores.
The differences are not just hardware, but software optimization, and newer versions are better at heavy menus and streaming services like Netflix, and older models may be slower and may not support some of today’s video compression codecs.
💡
The key difference between the new versions is the support for the VP9 and AV1 codec, which is critical for YouTube in 4K and the work of streaming platforms.
Global and Chinese versions: what is the difference
One of the most important aspects of choosing is the region for which the device is released. The Global Version is designed for the international market and has a pre-installed Android TV system with Google certification, which guarantees the operation of all popular services, including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video in the highest quality.
The Chinese version (CN Version) is often cheaper, but has a number of limitations, such devices may not have Widevine L1 certification, which will make streaming services broadcast content only in SD or HD, not in 4K. In addition, the interface can be adapted for the Chinese market with pre-installed applications that are useless outside of China.
Another significant difference lies in the remote control: Global versions are usually equipped with a remote with Bluetooth support and voice assistant Google Assistant. In Chinese versions, the remote can only work through an infrared port (IR) or have a stripped-down functionality without a microphone.
- 🌍 Certification: Global versions have a full Google license package, which ensures the stable operation of the Play Market.
- 📺 Streaming quality: Only global versions guarantee 4K HDR on Netflix and YouTube thanks DRM protection.
- 🗣️ Voice control: Built-in microphone and Google Assistant support work correctly only on international modifications.
Can the Chinese version be recast into a global version?
Comparison of characteristics of the main models
To make a final decision, consider the technical characteristics of popular models in comparison, and the performance differences between generations become noticeable when using heavy applications or games.
The most relevant at the moment model is the Mi Box S 2nd Gen. It received an updated processor Amlogic S905X4, which provides a smoother interface and support for new audio formats compared to its predecessor based on the S905X. Also increased RAM, which has a positive effect on multitasking.
| Characteristics | Mi Box 3 | Mi Box S (1st Gen) | Mi Box S (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Amlogic S905X | Amlogic S905X | Amlogic S905X4 |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB | 2GB |
| Built-in memory | 8GB | 8GB | 8GB |
| 4K support | Yes (30 fps) | Yes (60 fps) | Yes (60 fps) |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
As you can see from the table, evolution is primarily about optimizing power consumption and supporting new codecs, rather than radically increasing memory capacity. However, the transition to Bluetooth 5.0 in the second generation of the Mi Box S has significantly improved the stability of the connection with wireless headphones and gamepads.
The difference between the Mi Box and TV Stick
Often, customers swing between the classic Mi Box and the more compact TV Stick series, both running on Android TV and offering similar user experiences, but have fundamental design differences.
The Mi Box is a separate device that connects to the TV via a device. HDMI This allows you to place it behind the TV or on the shelf, which provides better ventilation and, as a result, less heat during long periods of operation. USB-port allows you to connect flash drives, external hard drives or wired keyboards directly.
Unlike him, TV Stick is inserted directly into HDMI This makes it invisible and ideal for travel, but limits the ability to connect the periphery without the need for additional adapters (OTG). In addition, due to the dense layout, the Stick can warm up more, which sometimes leads to trolling (decreased performance) when viewing heavy traffic. 4K content.
- 🔌 Connection: The Mi Box requires separate power and HDMI cable, Stick inserted directly into the TV port.
- ❄️ Cooling: The case box better removes heat than a compact stick case.
- 🔋 Power: Stick often requires a connection to an outlet rather than to a power outlet for stable operation USB television-port.
💡
If your TV is hanging close to the wall and the HDMI port is not comfortable, it is better to choose a Mi Box with a long HDMI cable, so as not to create unnecessary voltage on the TV connector.
Hardware features and ports
Despite the compact size, all versions of the Mi Box have the minimum ports necessary for comfortable use. The main interface is HDMI 2.0a, which provides 4K video transmission at 60 frames per second and HDR10 support.
One USB 2.0 port is used to connect the peripherals, and it can be fast enough to play video from a flash drive or connect a mouse and keyboard. However, a single port may not be powerful enough to connect a gigabit Ethernet adapter (if you plan to use wired Internet) without an external, active-powered hub.
⚠️ Attention: In the Mi Box S 2nd Gen port USB 2.0 is located on the back, which makes the connection more neat, but less convenient for frequent change of flash drives compared to models where the port is put on the end.
Also worth mentioning is the presence of optical output (S/PDIF) in some older versions or its absence in newer ones, replaced by audio transmission via HDMI ARC.
☑️ Checking the completeness when buying
Software and updates
All current versions of the consoles run Android TV (the new Google TV interface), which means access to a huge library of apps through the Google Play Store, including IPTV players, media centers like Kodi and streaming services.
The system receives regular security updates and functional improvements directly from Google. The update process is automatically in the background, but you can check for a new version manually. You need to go to the settings menu, select Device Settings, then About System, and click System Update.
It’s important to know that support for older models may be discontinued.For example, the Mi Box 3 no longer receives major Android updates, staying on older versions of the OS, which may limit the installation of new versions of apps.
The way to check the version of Android:
Settings -> Device -> About System -> Android version⚠️ Note: When installing applications from unknown sources (APK Be careful, untested programs may contain viruses or disrupt the stability of the Android system. TV.