Choosing a Xiaomi Mi Box media player is not as easy as it seems at first glance. There are several models on the market at once: from budget to flagship, with different characteristics, resolution support and functionality. Some devices are optimized for watching movies in 4K HDR, others for games or streaming services. How do you make sure you choose the console that fits perfectly into your ecosystem?
In this article, we’ll break down all the current Xiaomi Mi Box models (including the Mi Box S, 4K, 4S, 5 and 5S), compare them by key parameters: performance, format support, interfaces and even design. And give specific recommendations based on your goals – whether it’s watching Netflix in maximum quality, launching emulators or connecting to the Mi Home smart home.
Xiaomi Mi Box: What models are relevant in 2026?
Xiaomi regularly updates its line of set-top boxes, but not all models remain on sale or are supported by the manufacturer.
- 📦 Mi Box S (2nd Gen) - budget model with support 4K HDR, But on an Amlogic chip. S905X (2019).
- 🎮 Mi Box 4K — Improved version with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, Amlogic chip S905X3 (2021).
- ⚡ Mi Box 4S — Simplified console for the China / India market, without Google Play (Amlogic chip) S905L3).
- 🚀 Mi Box 5 / 5S — The flagship models on Amlogic S905X4 supportive AV1 and improved cooling (2023 year).
- 💎 Mi Box Pro – premium version with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of memory (limited availability).
It’s important to understand that the Mi Box 4S and Mi Box S are entry-level devices, while the Mi Box 5S and Pro are targeted at demanding users, and regional restrictions are also worth considering: some models (such as the 4S) are sold only in Asia and require manual firmware to work with Google Play.
Comparison of technical characteristics: table of key parameters
To make an objective assessment of the differences between the models, we've compiled a benchmarking table by the main criteria, and look at the columns with CPU, memory, and codec support, which determine performance and content compatibility.
| Model | Processor | RAM/ROM | Max, permission. | HDR / Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | AV1 | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Box S (2nd Gen) | Amlogic S905X (4x Cortex-A53) | 2/8 GB | 4K @ 60 Hz | HDR10 | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | 4.2 |
| Mi Box 4K | Amlogic S905X3 (4x Cortex-A55) | 2/16 GB | 4K @ 60 Hz | HDR10, Dolby Vision | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 5.0 |
| Mi Box 4S | Amlogic S905L3 (4x Cortex-A55) | 2/8 GB | 4K @ 60 Hz | HDR10 | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | 4.2 |
| Mi Box 5 | Amlogic S905X4 (4x Cortex-A55) | 2/16 GB | 4K @ 60 Hz | HDR10, Dolby Vision | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | 5.0 |
| Mi Box 5S | Amlogic S905X4 (4x Cortex-A55) | 4/32GB | 4K @ 60 Hz | HDR10+, Dolby Vision | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | 5.2 |
Critical: Only the Mi Box 5 and 5S models support AV1 codecs, which is critical for viewing high-quality YouTube content without transcoding. If you often watch videos on this platform, the choice is obvious. Also pay attention to the Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.0+ is better for gamepads (for example, Xiaomi Game Controller).
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For most users, the best choice is the Mi Box 5: it supports all modern codecs, has enough memory and is sold at an adequate price.
What tasks is each model suitable for?
Choosing the Xiaomi Mi Box should be based on your goals. Not everyone needs a top-end console — sometimes a budget model is enough.
1. Watch movies and TV series (Netflix, Disney+, Kodi)
If your main task is streaming high-quality video, pay attention to:
- 🎬 Mi Box S is suitable for Full HD basic 4K HDR10, But without Dolby Vision.
- 🌟 Mi Box 4K 5 is the best choice for Netflix 4K Dolby Vision.
- 🎥 Mi Box 5S — If you need a performance margin for Kodi with heavy libraries.
Games and Emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP)
Games require more RAM and a powerful processor, and the leaders are:
- 🎮 Mi Box 5S (4 GB of RAM – will cope with emulators PS2 and GameCube.
- 🕹️ Mi Box 5 (2 GB of RAM) – suitable for N64, PS1 And light Android games.
The Mi Box S and 4K are not recommended for gaming due to the chip’s weakness and small storage capacity.
3.Smart Home and Mi Home Integration
All models of Xiaomi Mi Box support Mi Home, but for stable work with smart devices (lamps, sensors, cameras) it is better to choose a console with Bluetooth 5.0+:
- 🏠 Mi Box 5/5S — The best option thanks to a modern chip and good compatibility.
What makes the Mi Box 4S different from other models?
Which version of Android TV should I use?
Software is as important as hardware. All current Xiaomi Mi Box models run on Android TV, but the software versions are different:
- 🤖 Android TV 9 - an outdated version on the Mi Box S and 4S. No support for new applications.
- 📱 Android TV 10/11 — Mi Box 4K, 5 and 5S. Compatible with Google Play and Stadia.
- 🔄 Updates - only Mi Box 5/5S Get regular security patches.
Why does it matter? For example, Disney+ and some banking apps require Android TV 10+. If you plan to use the console for a long time, take a model with the current version of the software.
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Before buying, check the date of the last firmware update for the selected model on the Xiaomi website. If the updates have not been more than a year, this is a reason to think.
Support for Formats and Codecs: What You Need to Know
One of the main problems when choosing a media player is compatibility with video and audio files. Xiaomi Mi Box supports most popular formats, but there are nuances:
- 🎵 Audio: All models reproduce MP3, AAC, FLAC, but only the Mi Box 4K/5/5S Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
- 📹 Video: Basic support H.264, H.265, VP9, but AV1 It's only in the Mi Box. 5/5S.
- 💾 External storage: all consoles work with FAT32/NTFS, ExFAT may require manual formatting.
If you are storing films in rare formats (for example, in a, MKV s DTS-HD MA), You can test them before you buy them, and you can use the Kodi app or VLC.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi Box does not support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA through HDMI. Playing these tracks will require an external audio processor or transcoding to Dolby Digital.+.
Design and Connectivity: What to Look for?
The look and feel of the connectors are not just aesthetics, but also usability. All Xiaomi Mi Box models have a compact body, but there are differences:
- 🔌 Ports: HDMI 2.1 (Mi Box only) 5S), USB 2.0 (all models except Mi Box S have microUSB for power), Ethernet (no Wi-Fi only).
- 🔊 Sound: optimal output — HDMI ARC (All models have it, but you may need an adapter to connect to older receivers.
- 📶 Wi-Fi: Mi Box S and 4S Wi-Fi 4 (2.4 GHz), the rest - Wi-Fi 5 (5 GHz).
Also worth considering is the size and location of the connectors. For example, in the Mi Box 5S, the USB-C port is located on the side, which is convenient for connecting external hard drives.
Make sure you're available. HDMI 2.0/2.1 TV-wise|
Check Wi-Fi support for 5GHz router |
Evaluate the need for Dolby Vision/Atmos|
View reviews about the overheating of a particular model-->
Price and where to buy: current offers
The cost of Xiaomi Mi Box varies depending on the model and region. Here are the approximate prices for 2026 (in rubles for Russia and dollars for the international market):
| Model | Price in Russia (₽) | Price abroad ($) | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Box S | 3 500 — 4 500 | 40 — 50 | Wildberries, AliExpress, Amazon |
| Mi Box 4K | 5 000 — 6 500 | 60 — 80 | Xiaomi Store, M. Video, eBay |
| Mi Box 5 | 7 000 — 8 500 | 90 — 110 | Official website, Beru, Ozon |
| Mi Box 5S | 9 000 — 11 000 | 120 — 150 | AliExpress (official sellers), Amazon |
For example, the Mi Box 4S from China may not have Google Play, and the European versions of the Mi Box 5S are sometimes sold without Russian in the firmware.
⚠️ Attention: AliExpress and eBay often sell Chinese firmware "grey" consoles, which may not be updated or require manual reflashing.