Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen: Europe Launch Review
Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen): Europe Gets the New Streaming King with Power and Versatility
Xiaomi, that tech giant we all know and love for bringing us awesome gadgets at prices that don’t make our wallets cry, has just dropped another winner in Europe. We’re talking about the brand new Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Generation). This little streaming powerhouse is already rolling out in countries like Spain, France, and Germany, and honestly, it’s set to turn pretty much any TV into a super-smart media hub. They’ve packed in some serious upgrades, made it super versatile, and kept the price refreshingly affordable. Let’s dive into what makes this new TV Box S so darn exciting.
Sleek, Compact, and Ready to Blend In
First off, let’s talk looks. Xiaomi has kept the design super clean and modern with the new TV Box S (3rd Gen). It’s tiny, measuring just 97 x 97 x 17 mm and weighing a mere 91.2 g. This means it’ll fit right in with your existing entertainment setup without being an eyesore. The matte black finish with those softly rounded corners, plus a little LED indicator on the front, gives it a sophisticated vibe. It’s not just about being functional; it actually adds a touch of class to your living room.
Performance Boost: Meet the Amlogic S905X5M Chipset
Now, for the juicy stuff – what’s under the hood. The real star here is the new Amlogic S905X5M chipset. This bad boy is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor that can clock in at a speedy 2.5 GHz. Plus, it’s built on a 6 nm process, which means it’s more power-efficient. Xiaomi claims this chip delivers a whopping 25% more CPU performance and an unbelievable 130% boost in GPU performance compared to the previous generation, thanks to the new Mali-G310 V2 GPU. What does that mean for you? Smoother navigation, apps that load way faster, and a much better experience when you’re streaming your favorite shows or even dabbling in some casual gaming.
It also comes with 2 GB of RAM and a generous 32 GB of internal storage. This is a massive jump from the 8 GB on the last model, so you can actually install more apps and download more content without constantly worrying about running out of space. While some tech heads might say 2 GB of RAM could be a bit limiting for super-heavy multitasking, for everyday streaming on Netflix, YouTube, or Plex, it’s more than enough to keep things running smoothly.
Top-Tier Visuals and Immersive Sound
Xiaomi clearly designed this TV Box S (3rd Gen) to make your viewing experience truly epic. It rocks support for 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160) at a buttery-smooth 60 FPS. But it gets even better with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR10 support. This means you’re going to get colors that pop, deep blacks, and incredible detail in every scene. Whether you’re binge-watching a new series or checking out some high-quality YouTube videos, the picture quality is seriously impressive, almost cinematic.
And the audio? Just as good. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which means you’re getting multidimensional sound that truly surrounds you. If you’ve got a home theater system, this is going to sound amazing. One thing to note, though: unlike its predecessor, this new model ditches the dedicated 3.5mm audio jack. All audio output will go through HDMI or Bluetooth. If you need to connect older headphones or audio systems, you’ll want to grab a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that can plug into the USB 2.0 port.
Seamless Connectivity and the Power of Google TV
Connectivity is also a big win here. The TV Box S (3rd Gen) is packing Wi-Fi 6, which means faster and more stable internet connections, especially if you’ve got a house full of devices sucking up bandwidth. You also get Bluetooth 5.2, making it a breeze to connect wireless headphones, speakers, or even game controllers. On the ports front, you’ve got an HDMI 2.1 port (though it’s capped at HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, so 4K at 60 Hz is the limit) and a USB 2.0 port for hooking up external storage.
The operating system is Google TV, which is built on Android 14. It’s super intuitive and lets you personalize your content. Everything from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and tons of other streaming services gets nicely organized. Plus, built-in Chromecast makes it easy to beam content straight from your phone or tablet. And, of course, the Google Assistant is there for voice searches and controlling your smart home gadgets. The Bluetooth remote is a neat little package too, with dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube, and Google Assistant, making it super user-friendly.
Pricing and European Availability
So, what’s the damage? The Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) is already hitting shelves in several European countries. In Spain, it’s priced at €74.99. Over in France, you can grab it for €69.99, and in Germany, it’s listed on Amazon for around €66.64. Considering the previous model is still around €69.99, this new one offers a fantastic bang for your buck, especially with those upgrades to storage, connectivity, and overall performance. While we don’t have an exact date for countries like the UK or the Netherlands yet, expect it to roll out more widely in the coming months.
It’s worth noting that in other markets, like Malaysia, the device is going for about 239 RM (which is roughly €50). And if you check out platforms like AliExpress, you can often find it shipped from European warehouses for under €55 with coupons. These prices really put the TV Box S (3rd Gen) in a strong position against competitors like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or even Google’s own Chromecast.
Going Head-to-Head with the Competition
When you stack the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) up against rivals like the Google TV Streamer or the RockTek GX1, it really shines in terms of performance and compatibility with high-quality audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS:X, according to user feedback on places like Reddit. However, the absence of an Ethernet port and the 2 GB of RAM might be a drawback for power users who want to do more demanding stuff, like game emulation or heavy use of apps like Kodi.
Despite these minor points, for its price segment, this device is a real winner. It packs support for all the latest video and audio formats, delivers a smooth Google TV experience, and keeps the price firmly in the affordable zone. If you’re after a streaming box that’s cheap but still packs a punch, the TV Box S (3rd Gen) is incredibly hard to beat.
Is the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) Worth It?
The Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Generation) has officially landed in Europe, and it’s a really solid upgrade over its predecessor. It bundles improved hardware, support for fancy features like Dolby Vision and Wi-Fi 6, all wrapped up in that signature competitive Xiaomi price tag. It’s a no-brainer for casual viewers and streaming buffs alike. Sure, an Ethernet port and a bit more RAM wouldn’t have hurt, but what it offers is already fantastic for transforming any regular TV into a smart entertainment hub.
If you’re on the hunt for a device that delivers crisp 4K streaming, immersive audio, and a slick user experience without emptying your bank account, the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) is a safe bet. Keep an eye out for its availability in your region, and definitely snag any good deals you find on Amazon or AliExpress. Ready to level up your streaming game? The Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) is here to make it happen!
