Even South Africa’s most tech-impaired residents are finally coming around on streaming. Let’s face it, a Wi-Fi connection, Netflix, and in most cases, a streaming media player have all become essential bits of kit to get by in this tech-riddled landscape. Xiaomi can help you with that last bit, offering two devices to suit your needs and your budget. Meet the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd gen) and the Xiaomi TV Stick.
With one of Xiaomi’s streaming media players at hand, you can breathe new life into that ageing TV your bins have had their eyes on for a while. You’ll instantly be open to a realm of new possibilities – like keeping up with the 2024 Summer Olympics, or your favourite HBO show of the moment. And that smart TV? It won’t always remain so, as technology quickly outpaces the software in the coming years.
Unlike most TV manufacturers out there, Xiaomi is committed to extensive software updates that’ll always keep your streaming media player at the top of its game, whether it’s the TV Box S (2nd gen) or Xiaomi’s smaller TV Stick.
Go big. Go Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen)
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to keep your TV setup from slipping back into the stone ages, the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd gen) is likely to be your best bet. It’s slightly larger than its TV Stick sibling, bringing with it a more traditional media player look that allows its owners room to plug in a thumb drive or even make use of the 3.5mm audio jack.
Better yet, it features Google TV OS, turning the media player into an intuitive piece of tech that even your grandmother could navigate with ease. That also means Google Play Store is included out-of-the-box, offering its considerable library of apps including the latest streaming services, and even games that’ll keep the little ones entertained.
Worried about quality? Xiaomi has you sorted. The Xiaomi TV Box (2nd Gen) supports 4K TVs, really letting customers take their streaming abilities to the next level with no extra hassle. Better yet, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Audio capabilities are included, serving to really round out their home streaming set-ups.
Giving that TV some Stick
Not fussed enough to go nuts on the TV Box S (2nd Gen)? That’s where Xiaomi’s TV Stick comes in, bringing with it a smaller form factor making it the perfect travel companion – whether you’re travelling from room to room or country to country – it doesn’t matter.
Even if you aren’t the travelling type, the Xiaomi TV Stick proves itself to be a useful addition to those TV setups where space is tight, thanks to the 28g weight and USB-sized shape. Don’t let the tiny form fool you. Xiaomi still manages to squeeze in 8GB of storage and 1GB of RAM – more than enough to keep you flowing around the Android OS.
Set-up is even simpler than its more premium counterpart. Just plug it into your TV’s HDMI hole, hit the remote, and you’re good to go.
Speaking of which, both the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) and the Xiaomi TV Stick come with incredibly comfortable, intuitive controllers right out of the box. At the tap of a button, you can instantly be whisked away to one of your favourite streamers. Or skip the middle man and ask Xiaomi directly for whatever you want to watch thanks to the built-in Google Assistant button.
Streaming in the real world
Need more proof? Both devices are currently available on Takealot at discounted prices, where you can see a combined 6,000+ real-life reviews from South Africans, giving the Xiaomi TV Box S (2nd Gen) an amazing 4.8/5 score, while the Xiaomi TV Stick nabs a 4.5 rating.
You can pick up either of Xiaomi’s streaming media players from Takealot, Game, Incredible or Makro.