Have you gotten into a dilemma where you don’t know which TV stick to buy between Mi and Firestick? Well, you’re at the right place because this article will get down to the nitty-gritty of comparing Mi stick and Firestick. Also, we’ll help you to decide the best one to buy.
Before we get started, let’s know the manufacturers of the two TV sticks. Xiaomi produces the Mi stick, whereas Foxconn produces the Firestick in partnership with Amazon as the developer. However, both devices help convert your non-smart TV into a smart one.
So, how does Xiaomi’s Mi TV stick compare to Amazon’s Firestick compare?
Do you have a particular question about comparing Mi Stick vs. Fire Stick? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Design
Both the Mi stick and share the stick-like design with an HDMI port on one end and a micro-USB port on the other end. However, both devices are chunky and may not allow simultaneous use of both HDMI ports on your TV. Fortunately, Firestick has an HDMI extender that helps solve this problem, whereas the Mi stick doesn’t.
The design of their remotes is also identical as both are plastic-made with rubber-textured buttons.
Content
The two devices offer similar content in that they both:
- But, are streaming devices providing access to a wide array of content like Disney Plus, YouTube, Netflix, and Prime TV?
- Support 1080p resolution at 60Hz and have 4K variants available on Amazon.
- Connect with Bluetooth devices, such as audio systems and wireless speakers.
- Hold a RAM of 1 GB and internal storage of 8 GB.
However, it’s worth noting that some aspects of Mi stick and Firestick differ. First, the Mi stick’s global version has a processing speed of 2GHz while the Firestick’s rate is 1.3GHz. The Indian version of the Mi stick has a slightly lower speed at 1.2GHz.
Also, both devices run on different operating systems. Firestick uses Amazon’s FireOS, while Mi stick uses Android 9.0. Additionally, the Mi stick supports more apps and games while Firestick is more content-oriented.
Picture Quality
As earlier mentioned, both Mi stick and Firestick support picture quality of full HD 1080p resolution. In addition, they both have 4K variants, namely Mi Box S 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K, respectively, which can be ordered from Amazon. Furthermore, the streaming devices can downscale and accommodate a 720p resolution.
Moreover, unlike the Mi stick, the Amazon Fire TV stick supports Dolby Vision and HDR 10+
Compatibility with Major Technologies
The two devices have a seamless connection with Bluetooth-enabled technologies like audio devices and wireless remotes. For example, they both work fine when connected to a Sony PS4 controller. However, the Mi stick packs Bluetooth 4.2, saving you power when connecting the device to home appliances. On the other hand, Firestick has Bluetooth 4.1.
In addition, Mi stick has a built-in Chromecast that makes it easier to share photos and videos between a smartphone or a computer and the streaming device. Unfortunately, Firestick’s screen mirroring isn’t as effective as Chromecast.
Moreover, Firestick is compatible with Alexa, thus guaranteeing you more flexibility when using it with an Amazon Echo device. I tried to ask Alexa to switch on my Firestick, and it worked just fine.
Also noteworthy is that Amazon Firestick supports the On-The-Go (OTG) feature, enabling you to connect the device with an external storage device. Unfortunately, the Xiaomi Mi TV stick does not come with this feature.
Nevertheless, while you can directly install VPN apps on the Mi Stick from the Google Play Store, such as Smart DNS Proxy, it’s pretty tedious to install VPN apps on Firestick as it entails a rigorous process.
Control and Usability
Both devices are remote-controlled. However, unlike Mi stick, Firestick offers more convenience in control and usability. It has additional buttons- play/pause, mute, skip, and – which enhance content streaming. On the other hand, the Mi stick offers more control of apps and games and comes fitted with Prime TV, Netflix, and Google assistant.
Both Alexa and Google Assistant enable you to control your smart home and devices through voice commands and automation instead of pressing the remote control repeatedly to initiate commands.
Firestick’s OTG feature enhances its usability as it allows you to extend the stick’s storage. For example, you can attach the device to a hard disk and watch offline movies.
Price
When it comes to pricing, Amazon Firestick offers the best deal for your budget as it’s $10 cheaper than the Mi stick. The latter is priced at $49 on Amazon. So, the Firestick is the ideal option if you’re cash crunched and are looking for a media player that’ll give you value for your money.
Mi TV Stick vs. Fire TV Stick: Main Difference
So, what is the main difference between Xiaomi Mi TV Stick and Amazon Fire TV Stick? The answer to this question lies in the operating systems that the two devices run on. The Mi stick operates on Android 9.0, whereas FireOS helps run the Firestick. In addition, the Mi Stick uses the Google services to access content, while the Firestick uses Amazon services.
Which one is for you?
So, should you buy Xiaomi’s Mi TV stick or Amazon’s Fire TV stick? Firestick offers you more content and sells at a lower price than its competitor. Thus, you get to enjoy more at almost $10 less. Besides, you get to enjoy other functionalities like Alexa and OTG, not to mention crisp performance.
Conversely, the Mi stick is an entry-level substitute for the Android TV box and offers access to more apps compared to its rival. For instance, its dedicated Prime TV and Netflix buttons save you time. The Mi stick also consumes less power compared to Firestick. Either way, it’s what meets your needs and preferences when choosing the best TV stick.
Wrapping up
I believe that you have found this article helpful and informative to help you decide on the best TV stick between Mi stick and Firestick. Note that my recommendation for the latter is subjective as it all depends on what your preferences are. Thank you for reading, and I hope to meet with you in the following article.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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