Smart TVs saturate the market, but upgrading the entire set isn’t always necessary. Enter streaming sticks and TV boxes. Plug them in, and your old TV gains intelligence, provided it has an HDMI port. Historically, the Fire TV Stick has been a top streaming option, but Xiaomi now offers the Mi Box 4K in India. Confused? Let’s compare Mi Box 4K and Fire TV Stick to determine the better choice.
Design and Form Factor
One major difference between the Mi Box 4K and the Fire TV Stick lies in their design. The Mi Box 4K is a box, whereas the Fire TV Stick is a stick. These devices offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here’s why:
The Fire TV Stick’s flash-drive-like design allows it to be hidden behind your TV panel, contributing to a cleaner overall setup. However, its small size means it lacks the variety of ports found on the Mi Box 4K.
The Mi Box 4K has a box-like design, taking up space on your counter or TV cabinet. An HDMI cable connects it to your TV, complicating cable management. However, it offers ports for expanding your entertainment setup.
Conversely, the Fire TV Stick, lacking ports, only provides an HDMI-out for TV connection and a microUSB for power. Amazon recommends using an HDMI extender to improve WiFi reception by placing the Fire TV Stick in an open area.
Mi Box 4K vs Fire TV Stick: Ports
The Fire TV Stick has no additional ports besides HDMI-out for TV connection and microUSB for power.
The Mi Box 4K offers various ports including HDMI out and power input, along with a USB Type-A port and an audio out port.
Comparing Mi Box 4K and Fire TV Stick: Streaming, Entertainment, and Controller Connectivity
Consider what you can do with a streaming stick or box. Both the Mi Box 4K and Fire TV Stick provide access to almost all popular streaming services in India.
Both include Netflix and Prime Video. Additionally, the Fire TV Stick now supports YouTube. Moreover, there’s Disney+ Hotstar for sports and Disney content.
Most games, including Asphalt 8, Trials Frontier, and Badlands, are available for Android TV on the Mi Box 4K, running on Android TV.
The Fire TV Stick utilizes the Amazon App Store, offering access to major games like Badlands and Asphalt 8.
While some games can be played with the remote, many require a controller, with some mandating it. Fortunately, both the Fire TV Stick and the Mi Box 4K support popular Bluetooth controllers like the PS4 DualShock and Xbox One.
Mi Box 4K vs Fire TV Stick: Picture Quality
There’s a significant contrast between the Mi Box 4K and the Fire TV Stick regarding streaming capabilities. The Mi Box 4K can stream 4K content from compatible services like Netflix and YouTube, while the Fire TV Stick is limited to HD content.
Note: The Fire TV Stick 4K supports 4K streaming but is priced at Rs.5,999, considerably more than the Mi Box 4K’s Rs.3,499 price.
Keep in mind that streaming in 4K necessitates a high-speed internet connection and a subscription plan that includes access to 4K content, such as Netflix’s Premium plan. Additionally, a 4K TV is required to fully appreciate 4K content.
Mi Box 4K vs Fire TV Stick: Smart Assistants
Both the Mi Box 4K and Fire TV Stick feature built-in voice assistants, allowing users to easily request assistance in finding content or launching apps. However, while the Mi Box 4K incorporates the Google Assistant, the Fire TV Stick integrates Amazon Alexa.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed that the Fire TV Stick’s remote excels in capturing Alexa voice commands compared to the Mi Box 4K’s remote. Google Assistant on the Mi Box 4K often misinterprets my commands and occasionally experiences significant loading delays. These are issues absent in the Fire TV Stick. If you heavily rely on voice assistants, this distinction is noteworthy.
Comparison: Codecs and Certifications
Now, let’s explore the codecs supported by both devices, including HDR10, Dolby Vision, and more:
- 4K@60fps
- VP9 Profile-2 up to 4K*2K@60fps
- H.265 HEVC up to 4K*2K@60fps
- H.264 up to 4K*2K@30fps
- VC-1 1080p@60fps
- MPEG 1/2/4 1080p@60fps
- Real 7/8/9 up to 1080p
- H.265 (HEVC). Hardware accelerated up to 1080p @ 30fps, 25 Mbps, Main Profile Level 4.0, Color space 8-bit support
- H.264. Hardware accelerated up to 1080p @ 30fps or 720p @ 60fps, 20 Mbps, High Profile up to Level 4
- H.263. Hardware accelerated up to WVGA (800×400) @ 30fps, 6 Mbps, Profile 0 Level 70
- MPEG-2. Hardware accelerated up to 1080p @ 30fps
- MPEG-4. Decodes at 30fps, 20 Mbps, Advanced Simple Profile Level 5
- AC3 (Dolby Digital). Up to 48kHz, 6 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit
- eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus). Up to 48kHz, 6 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit
- AAC-LC. Up to 96kHz, 6 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit
- HE-AACv1 (AAC+). Up to 96kHz, 6 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit
- HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+). Up to 96kHz, 6 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit
- FLAC. Up to 48kHz, 2 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit (no dither for 24 bit)
- MIDI. MIDI (Type 0 and 1), DLS (Version 1 and 2), XMF, and Mobile XMF. Ringtone formats RTTTL/RTX, OTA, and iMelody
- MP3. Up to 48kHz, 2 channels in DSP (16-bit and 24-bit) and software (16-bit)
- PCM/Wave. Up to 96kHz, 6 channels, 16-bit and 24-bit
- Vorbis. Ogg (.ogg), Matroska (.mkv)
- AMR-NB. Supported
The Fire TV Stick 4K supports VP9, VP8, and Dolby Vision.
Mi Box 4K vs Fire TV Stick: Pricing
The 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick is priced at Rs. 3,999, offering Full HD streaming, no ports, and a smaller selection of video codecs. The Mi Box 4K, priced at Rs. 3,499, offers 4K streaming, ports, and stock Android TV.
Mi Box 4K vs Fire TV Stick: Best Streaming Stick/Box?
Considering the Mi Box 4K versus the Fire TV Stick, which one to buy? The Mi Box 4K clearly triumphs. It can stream 4K content, has more ports, comes with stock Android TV, and supports more video codecs. Even more, it’s cheaper than the regular Fire TV Stick. For 4K streaming with the Fire TV Stick, you’ll need to spend Rs. 5,999 for the 4K variant.
The sole reason to think about purchasing the Fire TV Stick (and I suggest opting for the 4K variant) is that Alexa functions better than Assistant on the Mi Box 4K. Plus, you won’t need to manage an HDMI cable between your TV and the Mi Box 4K.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
