Xiaomi's tiny stick revives old tvs (and saves you cash)
Let's be honest: your older television is probably fine. The picture is decent, it does the job. But navigating its archaic smart features? A frustrating exercise in patience. Xiaomi seems to understand this, and their new TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is a surprisingly elegant solution—one that might actually make you like that dusty relic in the guest room.
A second life for your legacy screen
The tech world is awash in 4K streaming boxes, but Xiaomi isn't chasing that particular rabbit. This isn't about delivering a cinematic experience; it's about giving a perfectly functional, older TV a much-needed upgrade. Think of it as a digital defibrillator for your aging display—a simple plug-and-play device that breathes new life into a system weighed down by sluggish interfaces and outdated apps.
The key here is Google TV. It’s a familiar ecosystem for most, moving significantly faster than many built-in Smart TV operating systems. Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Apple TV—the essentials are all readily available. Google Assistant voice control and Google Cast functionality (miracasting from your phone) round out the experience. While the resolution caps out at 1080p at 60Hz, which won't appeal to dedicated cinephiles, that's more than adequate for secondary rooms, kitchens, or simply enjoying a casual viewing session.
Performance is the real upgrade. Xiaomi claims a 38% CPU performance boost over the previous Mi TV Stick, thanks to a quad-core Cortex-A55 processor and Mali G31 MP2 graphics. And on a device like this, that translates to snappier app loading, smoother menu navigation, and a far less frustrating overall experience. There’s nothing worse than a laggy streaming stick; it quickly devolves from a convenience to a source of considerable annoyance.
Connectivity is standard: dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0. The included remote, with dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, is a thoughtful addition. And, crucially, it’s compact—a small, elongated device that disappears behind the TV, eliminating clutter and cable chaos.
The price is right (likely)
Xiaomi hasn’t officially announced pricing, but given that the 4K version launched in Europe for €59.99, a reasonable expectation for the HD model is somewhere in the €40-€50 range. That's a compelling price point for a device that can genuinely improve the usability of an older TV. It's not about revolutionary features or bleeding-edge technology; it’s about solving a common problem—the frustrating limitations of legacy Smart TVs—with a simple, affordable solution.
Forget the hype. This isn’t a product designed to generate viral excitement. It's a practical tool for anyone who wants their older TV to just work. And in a world obsessed with constant upgrades, sometimes the smartest move is to breathe new life into what you already have.