What's Xiaomi? TV Box to choose in 2026: comparison of all models and expert advice

Choice TV-Xiaomi is not as easy as it seems, there are several models on the market with different characteristics, price tags and features, and it is easy to get confused about their differences. IPTV, Others are a powerful device for 4K HDR-Some people want to integrate with Xiaomiโ€™s smart home, and in this article we will discuss all the current Xiaomi models. TV Box (including new products from 2026), compare them on key parameters and help to determine which console is right for you.

Xiaomi is gradually turning the line of Mi Box in favor of the Mi brand TV Stick and Android TV-It's a Redmi brand, but the old ones are still sold and supported. TV Box 4K Ultra or Redmi TV Boxes offer improved hardware, but don't always justify the price difference. To avoid overpaying for unnecessary features or buying an outdated model, read more.

1. Key criteria for choosing Xiaomi TV Box

Before comparing specific models, decide what you need a console for. Here are the main parameters that you should pay attention to:

  • ๐Ÿ“บ Permission and support HDR: If you 4K-TV, take a model from 4K@60fps and HDR10+ (Like the Mi Box. 4K For Full or newer. HD It is also a budget Mi Box S.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Performance: Games (including Google Stadia or emulators) need a processor that is not weaker Cortex-A73 And 2-3 GB of RAM. Weak models will "brake" in heavy applications.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Ports and Connections: Check availability HDMI 2.1 (for 4K@120Hz), USB 3.0 (External storage, as well as Wi-Fi support 6 Bluetooth 5.0+.
  • ๐Ÿค– Android version TV: Older models run on Android 9, new on Android 12/13. This affects app support and security updates.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Updates and support: Xiaomi doesn't always promptly release updates for older consoles.New models (e.g. Redmi) TV Box) gets patches longer.

Also consider the ecosystem: if you have other Xiaomi devices (lamps, robot vacuum cleaner, cameras), the console can become the control center through the Mi Home. TV (Not all Xiaomi consoles have it!).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Some Xiaomi models TV Boxes (such as Mi Box 3 or Mi Box 4) are not officially sold in Russia and Europe due to certification issues, and can only be bought in the grey way, but this can lead to a lack of warranty and firmware issues.

2. Comparison of all current Xiaomi models TV Box (2026)

The table below shows the key features of all Xiaomi consoles you can buy today, and we've included both old, proven models and new products.

ModelProcessorRAM/ROMMax, permission.Android TVPrice (โ‰ˆ)
Xiaomi Mi Box S (2nd Gen)Cortex-A53, 4 cores2/8 GB4K@60Hz (HDR10)9.03 500โ€“4 500 โ‚ฝ
Xiaomi Mi Box 4KCortex-A73, 4 cores2/8 GB4K@60Hz (HDR10+, Dolby Vision)10.05 000โ€“6 500 โ‚ฝ
Xiaomi TV Box 4K Ultra (2023)Cortex-A73, 4 cores (1.95 GHz)3/32 GB4K@60Hz (Dolby Atmos)12.07 000โ€“8 500 โ‚ฝ
Redmi TV Box (2026)Cortex-A73, 4 cores (2.0 GHz)4/64 GB4K@120Hz (HDMI 2.1)13.09 000โ€“11 000 โ‚ฝ

As you can see from the table, the Mi Box S is the most budget option, but it is already outdated (processor). Cortex-A53 Weak for modern tasks. Mi Box 4K โ€” Gold standard in price/quality ratio, and Redmi TV Box - flagship with support 4K@120Hz And it's a lot of memory, but the last model is almost like a big memory. 2 More than the Mi Box S, is it worth it?

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of Xiaomi console are you considering?
Mi Box S (budget)
Mi Box 4K (optimally)
Xiaomi TV Box 4K Ultra
Redmi TV Box (flagship)
I haven't decided yet.

3. Xiaomi Mi Box S: pros and cons of the budget model

Xiaomi Mi Box S (2nd Generation is the most affordable console in the lineup, but that doesn't mean it's a bad one. It's great for basic tasks:

  • ๐Ÿ“Œ View YouTube, Netflix, Kinopoisk in Full HD (and sometimes 4K, slow-down).
  • ๐Ÿ“ก Support IPTV through an app like LaziTV or SS IPTV.
  • ๐ŸŽต Playing music through Spotify or Yandex Music.
  • ๐Ÿ•น๏ธ Simple Google Play Games (but not the same) AAA-project!).

The pluses:

โœ… Compact size and minimalist design.

โœ… Google Cast (you can stream from your phone).

โœ… Low price (from 3,500) โ‚ฝ).

โœ… It is easy to find on sale (unlike the rare Mi Box 4 models).

But there are also serious shortcomings:

โŒ Weak processor. Cortex-A53 โ€” The prefix "stutters" when reproducing heavy 4K-content.

โŒ Just 2GB of RAM โ€“ many modern apps (like Disney)+) lag-work.

โŒ Android 9 without updates โ€“ some new apps may not be installed.

โŒ No Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

โš ๏ธ Note: If you are planning to use the Mi Box S for the IPTV With a lot of channels, be prepared for periodic interface hanging. For stable work, it is better to prefer a model with 3-4 GB of RAM.

๐Ÿ’ก

The Mi Box S is only for basic tasks. If you need more, look towards the Mi Box. 4K or newer.

4. Xiaomi Mi Box 4K vs. Xiaomi TV Box 4K Ultra: Which is better?

These two models are often compared, and for good reason: they both support the same. 4K HDR, But they're different in hardware and capabilities, so let's see if we should overpay for the Ultra version.

Xiaomi Mi Box 4K (2020):

โœ” Processor Cortex-A73 (1.8 GHz โ€“ faster than the Mi Box S.

โœ” 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of memory (enough for most tasks).

โœ” Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support (important for moviegoers).

โœ” Android 10 (updates are less common, but more stable than the Mi Box S).

โœ” Price: ~5 500 โ‚ฝ.

Xiaomi TV Box 4K Ultra (2023):

โœ” More powerful processor (1.95 GHz) and 3GB of RAM โ€“ better for multitasking.

โœ” 32GB of storage (you can install more apps and games).

โœ” Android 12 with Google Stadia and new versions of apps.

โœ” Bluetooth 5.2 (more stable with gamepads and headphones).

โœ” Price: ~7 500 โ‚ฝ.

So should you overpay? If you only need a console to watch movies and TV shows, the Mi Box. 4K That's enough, but if you're planning on doing it:

โœ… Playing games (including cloud services).

โœ… Install many applications (e.g. Kodi with additional plugins).

โœ… Use the console as a media server (with an external hard drive).

...Better to take it. 4K Ultra.

What is different about Dolby Vision? HDR10?
Dolby Vision is a dynamic vision. HDR, which adjusts the brightness and contrast for each scene separately, while HDR10 It uses static settings for the whole movie, and for moviegoers, the difference is noticeable, especially in dark scenes.

5. Redmi TV Box (2026): flagship or overpayment?

Novelty 2026 year-round TV Box โ€“ positioned as a top model with support 4K@120Hz and HDMI 2.1. This is the first Xiaomi console that can compete with Nvidia Shield or Apple. TV 4K. But is it worth the price?

Pros:

โœ… Processor Cortex-A73 2.0 GHz clock speed is the most powerful among Xiaomi consoles.

โœ… 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of memory โ€“ enough for any task.

โœ… Support AV1 (New codec for streaming, saves traffic).

โœ… Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 โ€“ fast and stable communication.

โœ… Android 13 with long-term support for updates.

Cons:

โŒ Price. ~10 000 โ‚ฝ โ€” It's almost like the Nvidia Shield. TV Pro, but with a smaller ecosystem.

โŒ No official sale in Russia (you will have to order from China or Europe).

โŒ Not all applications are optimized for 4K@120Hz (For example, Netflix is limited. 4K@60Hz).

Who's good for Redmi? TV Box?

๐Ÿ”น Owners. 4K@120Hz-TVs (e.g. televisions, LG C2 Samsung QN90C).

๐Ÿ”น Gamers who want to play cloud services (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now).

๐Ÿ”น Those who need a large amount of memory for applications and media libraries.

If you donโ€™t need 120Hz and 64GB of storage, save and take Xiaomi TV Box 4K Ultra โ€“ it covers 90% of the needs of most users.

๐Ÿ’ก

If you buy a Redmi TV Box for games, be sure to check the compatibility of your gamepad. some models (for example, DualSense from the gamepad). PS5) You need additional settings to work with Android TV.

6.Xiaomi Alternatives TV Box: Should I Consider Other Brands?

Xiaomi is not the only player in the market. TV-In some cases, it's worth looking at alternatives:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Nvidia Shield TV Pro โ€“ the best console for gamers (support for GeForce Now, AI-Upscale, powerful processor. Minus, price (~20 000 โ‚ฝ).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Apple TV 4K โ€” The perfect ecosystem for iPhone and Mac owners, but no support AV1 and many Android apps.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ X96 Max+ or H96 Max - cheap Chinese consoles on Android 11 with 4 GB of RAM. IPTV, But the build quality is worse than Xiaomi.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K โ€” A good alternative to streaming (Prime Video, Netflix), but weak support for Google Play.

When should you choose not Xiaomi?

โœ” If you want maximum performance for gaming, take Nvidia Shield.

โœ” If you have an Apple ecosystem, it makes more sense to Apple. TV.

โœ” If the budget is less than 3,000 โ‚ฝ โ€” Look at Chinese brands (but be prepared for bugs).

In other cases, Xiaomi TV The Box remains one of the best options for price/quality, especially if you want to integrate with other Xiaomi devices (e.g., managing a smart home via Mi Home).

7. What Xiaomi. TV Box to Choose in 2026: The Final Guide

To make the choice easier, we have compiled a short sheet:

Your TV only supports Full TV. HD โ†’ Mi Box S

We need a stable job with 4K HDR Dolby Vision and โ†’ Mi Box 4K

Want a powerful console for gaming and multitasking โ†’ Xiaomi TV Box 4K Ultra

There is. 4K@120Hz-TV and budget ~10 000 โ‚ฝ โ†’ Redmi TV Box

It is important to manage Xiaomiโ€™s smart home โ†’ Any model with Mi Home-->

Also consider:

๐Ÿ”น If you are buying a prefix for IPTV, Check compatibility with your ISP. Some apps (like Wink) may not work on older versions of Android.

๐Ÿ”น For Kodi and pirated add-ons, it is better to take a model with 3-4 GB of RAM (otherwise there will be lags).

๐Ÿ”น If you plan to connect an external hard drive, make sure that the console has USB 3.0 (in Mi Box S only) USB 2.0, which is slow for large files).

And the last tip: if you are not sure about the choice, start with Xiaomi Mi Box 4K. It is the most balanced model, covering 90% of use cases without overpaying for unnecessary features.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi TV Box

๐Ÿ”น Can I upgrade Android to Xiaomi? TV Box?
Yes, but not on all models.Mi Box S officially doesn't get updates above Android 9, Mi Box. 4K and are updated to Android 12/13. There are also custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), but their installation requires unlocking the bootloader and may deprive you of warranties.
๐Ÿ”น Does Xiaomi Work? TV Box with Russian services (Kinopoisk, Wink, Ivi)?
Yes, but with reservations: Kinopoisk HD Ivi is officially available on Google Play for Android TV. Wink and MTS TV may require manual installation APK (Not all models support these apps due to Google restrictions. Some services (e.g. Okko) only run on certified Android TV-Devices (not all Xiaomi consoles are certified).
๐Ÿ”น How to connect the gamepad to Xiaomi TV Box?
Most gamepads (e.g. from Xbox or PlayStation) connect via Bluetooth: Go to Settings โ†’ Input devices โ†’ Add accessory. Activate pairing mode on the gamepad (usually the Share button). + PS For DualShock or Sync for Xbox, select a gamepad from the list of available devices. For some gamepads (e.g., for example, 8BitDo) Additional software or firmware may be required.
๐Ÿ”น Why Xiaomi TV Box brakes when watching 4K?
The reasons may be different: Weak processor (in Mi Box S) Cortex-A53 heavy-handed 4K HDR). Lack of RAM (2 GB is not enough for modern applications. Internet problems (for the Internet) 4K You need Wi-Fi. 5/6 Overheating (put the console in a ventilated place) Solution: try lowering the resolution to 1080p in the application settings or update the firmware.
๐Ÿ”น Can I use Xiaomi? TV Box as a media server (for example, for Plex)?
Yes, but with limitations: Plex and Kodi work on all models, but video transcoding requires a powerful console (Xiaomi). TV Box 4K Ultra or Redmi TV It is better to connect the external hard drive via USB 3.0 (in Mi Box S only) USB 2.0, which is slow for large files. DLNA Additional software may be required (e.g. BubbleUPnP).