‘Xiaomi Mi Box’ Android TV Complete Review: Specs, Box Features, Price And Release Date Revealed

If reports are to be believed, Xiaomi's much awaited Android TV-powered Mi Box could be much cheaper than we earlier expected. To be released officially in October, the Set-top box will be available for a price tag of just $69.99 with some of the best features in its price range. The 4K Android TV streaming box will definitely be going to be a huge competition for its Google's rivals.

Xiaomi Mi Box Review: the best deal around for Android TV... for what it's worth https://t.co/kZnAUFLSks pic.twitter.com/LBwf5De7Tp

— Android Police (@AndroidPolice) October 23, 2016

Complete Review:

The Xiaomi Mi Box is reported to come with total access to Android TV apps as well as the requisite Cast streaming capability. Other Specs are also quite decent including the new voice-controlled remote. It's quite surprising how the Mi Box can handle so many amazing features with such a low price tag. Here's everything we know about the Android TV Box so far:

Xiaomi Mi Box Specs / Features:

Powered by the Amlogic Quad-core Cortex-A53 2.0GHz processor, the Xiaomi Mi Box offers a Mali 450 750MHz GPU, which offers an amazing 4K resolution up to 60fps. The Android TV Box has a 2GB RAM and an 8GB internal Storage. With a size approximately 101 x 101 x 19.5mm, the Mi Box weighs 177g and runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Why To Buy the Xiaomi Mi Box:

Although other cheaper streaming devices are available in the market, the Xiaomi Mi Box priced at $69 still remains undefeatable for the Android TV. There is hardly any set-top box available at the same price tag, offering the Mi Box 4K resolution support. Xiaomi Mi Box has a tiny round body, which is less than 4" wide and about three quarters inch tall. The small size makes the Android TV Box easily fit in any entertainment center.

The Bluetooth remote works well even when not in line of sight. The small yet solid remote though doesn't seem that much fancy, it's been very well-designed and is quite easy to use even in the dark. Additionally, the Xiaomi Mi Box also comes with $76 of free offers, which include CBS All Access, VUDU, Pandora, and Sling TV.

Why Not To Buy the Xiaomi Mi Box:

The Xiaomi Mi Box despite its fantastic features doesn't work well with even the basic 3D games. Another big problem is with the internal storage option. As an Android TV's best features come out in its games as well as the local media playback, the low 8GB storage is really a thumbs down. Xiaomi Mi Box still has to do couple of changes in its software.

While the Android TV 6.0 is obviously a good feature, the Mi Box does have problems in its startup and user voice detection. Xiaomi may launch some new updates to curb these problems in the Mi Box in the future. The microphone is located on the top of the remote, making the user look like a karaoke singer when using it. You need to put your mouth close to the Mic to give voice commands. Also like most of the Android TV devices, the Xiaomi Mi Box also doesn't offer any universal IR port.

#China's @xiaomi Mi Box enters the #US market with a bang, quickly sells out in stores pic.twitter.com/nhhqYpRhH8 — People's Daily,China (@PDChina) October 15, 2016

Verdict:

Available for a very cheap price tag of $69, the Mi Box is probably the cheapest set-top box to offer a 4K resolution support. The other alternative for the Android TV is NVIDIA's SHIELD with quite a whopping price tag of $199. Apple TV is available at $149 without any 4K support. Amazon's Fire TV, on the other hand, does offer 4K but comes at $99.99.

If you want a 4K streaming Android TV set-top box at a cheap price, you should opt for the Mi Box. Google also unveiled its new Chromecast Ultra offering 4K support at its earlier October 4 event. Stay Tuned to SWR for more latest news and updates on Xiaomi Mi Box.