What streaming device is notably better? Google Chromecast with Google TV, Xiaomi Mi Box S 4K or any other Xiaomi device (4K stick)?

by huhmz

I currently have a Realme 4K stick and while it does the job it's a bit on the slow side. An opportunity has arrived where someone I know is looking for a streaming device and his standards are lower than mine. I have a rough budget so even though I really want a Sheild I'm pretty sure I need to go with something cheaper (I live in Sweden so that changes my options and the availability of different devices).

I apologize for the out-of-blue question but are the Xiaomi offerings better performance wise? I'm particularly looking for having a quicker menu performance, opening Spotify etc. I don't need Dolby Atmos or Vision. Some extra storage would be neat as well.

What is a worthwhile replacement if I was to help my friend settle in with my Realme 4K stick? I'm looking at Google's new chromecast or a Xiaomi unit. Let me know if I've missed anything. Cheers.

Kodi_Fan_Omicron

Google and Xiaomi both will have better software & software optimizations for their streaming devices compared to your Realme device which is a newcomer to the streaming world. You want more performance/speed you'll need to step-up to a more powerful SoC (CPU). Because you already said you won't invest in getting a ShieldTV Pro, then the current middleweight king SoC for streaming devices is the Amlogic S905x4 for budget price & performance. Depending on what country you live in, the choices to get a licensed & certified device with that SoC may be limited, but I would say look at the Mecool KM2 Plus.

Elf-Lord

Xiaomi Mi 4K TV Streaming Stick, works very well, if you don't need Google certification, Fire TV 4K MAX stick is also great. Have both and no regrets.

kretsstdr

Get you a chrome cast or xiaomi 4k tv stick they both support dolby vision and they are kinda powerful for that price i can play full 4k hdr/dolby vision remux on a xiaomi tv stick smoothly

diysub

I have both. Both work really well. I am using the Chromecast pretty much all the time now though as the Xiaomi overheats and reboots. It is only a month old. I also have the Max and it is fast, but the interface is horrible, for me at least.

mocelet

If you plan to connect hard drives or pendrives you'll need a hub for the sticks obviously. The Chromecast doesn't support NTFS or exFAT though...

Regarding performance, they use the same family of processors (Amlogic S905), but the box uses 2nd gen, Chromecast 3rd gen and the Xiaomi 4K stick the 4th gen (that's why it supports AV1 decoding, probably not a buying factor today).