I'm stuck in a choice between these two "boxes". The Mi Box seems more robust and even has a USB port so I can use a mouse when needed. But the Mi Stick 4k has a newer android 11 os running it instead of the android 8 in the Mi Box.
Does the android version make any difference between the two? I won't require any portability.
100% take the Xiaomi stick 4k.
Newer hardware and software, probably will be upgraded to Android 12,
You can buy Y-splitter micro-usb to connect any USB device to it.
Stick is much faster. You can use a cheapo adapter for a mouse or get a Bluetooth mouse
get the stick. it has dolby vision/atmos and av1 support
Why not mecool km2. More powerful https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091F18931
Go for the stick. Also, you may wanna take Firestick 4k max into consideration, since it supports WiFi-6 and has better compatibility and functionality, and more powerful SOC than Xiaomi stick.
Take in mind that 4K need more power, and more power mean more heat. That could be a problem. If you will put in the back of tv and never touched again, then i suggest MiBox, but if you plan to take with you, then buy the stick.
I have both, the stick overheats and randomly shuts down every now and then, the box has never overheated, other than that I can’t tell the difference in performance
I'd suggest the box. It has been upgraded to android 9, 2gb ram better connectivity (usb, optical and analog out, USB can also be used as a digital out to a DAC)
Xiaomi Mi Box S is old...
New Xiaomi TV Stick 4K stick advantages compared to Xiaomi Mi Box S: