Xiaomi has taken the wraps off its latest innovation in home entertainment with the launch of the TV Stick HD 2nd generation. This updated version comes equipped with a more powerful chipset and supports HDR10+, making it an attractive option for those looking to enhance their viewing experience without upgrading to a new television.
This new device showcases a more rounded design reminiscent of the 4K 2nd generation stick. However, Xiaomi has opted to retain the micro-USB port for power, which has drawn some criticism from users. Additionally, there is only a single USB port and no microSD slot, so users seeking additional storage options might want to consider Xiaomi’s more advanced TV Boxes. The first-generation stick did not support USB-OTG, and it remains unclear whether the new model has this feature—choosing external solutions might still seem cumbersome.
Specifically designed for older televisions, the TV Stick HD 2nd generation is limited to 1080p at 60fps, making it unsuitable for 4K content. This makes it an ideal choice for users subscribed to basic streaming tiers where 4K is often an additional cost.
Running on Google TV, this stick comes pre-installed with popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube, each accessible via dedicated buttons on the remote. Users can also cast photos and videos directly from their smartphones.
Powered by a new chipset featuring a quad-core Cortex-A55 and a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, the Xiaomi TV Stick HD boasts a 38% performance improvement when compared to its predecessor, which had A53 cores and a Mali-450 GPU. However, it maintains the same RAM and storage capacity at 1GB and 8GB, respectively—this is rather limited, especially when compared to the more robust 2GB RAM and Mali-G310 V2 GPU of the 4K version.
In terms of content quality, the new stick supports HDR10+, provided the user’s TV is compatible with this newer standard. Most notably, the improved chipset includes hardware AV1 decoding, a feature crucial for a seamless streaming experience on platforms like YouTube and Netflix.
For audio, the TV Stick HD supports both DTS:X and Dolby Audio, although the effectiveness will inherently depend on the connected devices' capabilities—whether it be the TV or an audio setup.
Connectivity-wise, the device supports dual-band 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and utilizes Bluetooth 5.0 for its remote control, which features an integrated IR blaster for turning on the television.
The Xiaomi TV Stick HD 2nd generation is expected to launch globally soon. Pricing details are yet to be announced, but consumers can expect it to be competitively priced, given that the 4K variant is already available around €50.
