Home Reviews ,,,,,Almost two years ago, by now, we were reviewing Xiaomi's first Android TV, the Xiaomi Mi Box, highlighting how it was a simple, cheap, and stylish way to access the world of Andoid TV.
In recent weeks, the Chinese company has released Xiaomi Mi Box S, the new set top box with Google's operating system. If you exclude the remote control, it is the same peripheral released in 2017. Was it really needed?
For those interested in reading the review of the first Xiaomi box, we leave you directly to this page. The new Mi Box S is practically the same peripheral, at least judging by the technical data sheet of the two models.
Slightly changes the design of the small box, which is now slightly more squared, while in the past it had more rounded shapes. The size is the same, and on an aesthetic level it is not possible to say which of the two is preferable.
This is a totally subjective question. The ports on the back are exactly the same: HDMI 2.0a (HDCP 2.2.), A USB Full size, and 3.5 mm AUX input.
Technical features
In terms of technical characteristics, Mi Box S is practically identical to the peripheral released almost two years ago. In fact, it supports a resolution up to 4K, with a frame per second equal to 60, the processor is a Quad-Core Cortez-A53, flanked by a Mali 450 GPU and 2 GB of RAM, with 8 GB of integrated memory.
These are features that, two years ago, could be considered at the forefront in the world of Android TV, but which today are slightly out of tune. Not just because it could have been done better, but because it felt like an upgrade from the previous set top box was needed. The truth, then, is that Mi Box S is practically the same Android TV as before, albeit with a modified remote control.
Remote control
Although identical in shape and size, the Xiaomi Mi Box S remote control is particularly different. First of all, there are two completely new buttons: the first for Netflix and the second for Live channels, which are not yet supported in Italy; or rather, there are two sources available on the Play Store, but none with Italian channels.
The arrangement of the other buttons is also different: the On / Off button is located at the top, just above the colored button to activate the microphone and call up the Google Assistant. Then there is also the “App” button, which calls up a menu where all the applications installed on board are present.
It works well, the Netflix button is convenient and the “ok, Google” command offers almost all the functions found on smartphones, tablets and speakers, with the exception of home automation control, which is not supported here. It will be possible to interact with the digital assistant being able to ask for information on the weather, results of a sporting event, or even request a list of thematic films.
The same search can also be used within the various apps, such as Google Play Store, Spotify, Youtube, to carry out a specific search.
Audio and video
Still with regard to the technical characteristics, for lovers of video playback, Xiaomi Mi Box supports, among others, video playback H.265 HEVC MP-10 at L5.1, always with 4K or 2K resolution at 60fps. Furthermore, it supports HP L5.1, 4K and 2K H.264 AVC playback at 30fps and H.264 MVC, up to 1080P at 60fps.
Finally, Xiaomi Mi Box does not miss support for HDR10 / HLG HDR. This means being able to fully enjoy the multimedia potential of the device: in a word, Netflix at maximum power. It goes without saying that all streaming apps, music or video, work perfectly, without the shadow of clicks or slowdowns.
As for the sound department, the Xiaomi set top box offers support for DTS 2.0 + Digital Out, Digital Plus and up to 7.1 pass through. Dolby Atmos support is missing. On the back, the only ports are HDMI 2.0a (HDCP 2.2.), A USB Full size, and 3.5 mm AUX input.
Android TV
As already mentioned, what distinguishes this box from the thousands of others on the internet is the installed software: Xiaomi Mi Box S is an Android TV. It must be said that the platform, at least as regards the Italian market, has not grown as expected.
There is no shortage of interesting applications to be exploited on the living room TV, such as Netflix, YouTube, DAZN, RaiPlay, and others for streaming multimedia content. However, they are always few. If you look at the store, games department, you realize that there are very few valid applications: from this point of view, Mi Box S is light years away from an Apple TV.
After two years, the past considerations still remain valid: the Play Store is not exactly deserted, but the truly useful applications can be counted on the fingers of one hand, to be good, of two hands. Aside from Spotify, KODI, TimVision, and pre-installed apps, like Netflix, Youtube, Google Play Music, and Play Film, there's very little else. Compared to the past, Infinity, a video streaming service widely used in Italy, has been added.
Conclusions
On Gearbest Xiaomi Mi Box S costs just over 70 euros. This is once again the cheapest way to enter the world of Android TV and the experience is all in all pleasant.
It's just a shame that the hardware is pretty much the same as two years ago, and that the Android TV platform hasn't grown as much as desirable. In any case, the remote control is significantly improved compared to the past, with the Netflix key very useful, and the microphone one revised in the graphics.
Prices and availability
On Gearbest Xiaomi Mi Box S you buy for about 80 euros. On the official website all the information on the possibility that customs costs are applied, even if the Italy Express shipment (which we recommend to choose), in all probability, will avoid any additional burden.
Click here to buy .
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