Tiny devices that stream internet video to you TV have been around for a little while. Google’s got one. So does Roku. And Amazon launched one recently.

Now Chinese company Xiaomi is getting in on the action with the smallest device of its type I’ve ever seen… and one of the cheapest (by a small margin) to boot.

The Xiaomi Mi Box Mini is a $32 box that runs Android-based software, connects to your TV, and looks like a tiny USB charger.

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The little guy has a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of storage, 802.11n dual-band WiFi, and Bluetooth. There’s a single HDMI port for running a cord to your display, and the system comes with a Bluetooth remote control.

Xiaomi says the Mi Box Mini can handle 1080p video, Dolby and DTS audio, and H.265 video playback.

The device sells for 199 Yuan in China, which is about $32 US. Xiaomi products have a tendency to sell out shortly after going on sale, so it’s not clear if or when you’ll be able to get one in the States… and it’s not that much cheaper than a $35 Google Chromecast or $39 Amazon Fire TV Stick.

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But in addition to supporting Chinese media streaming services, the device does run Google Android software, so it’s not inconceivable that you could sideload apps or root the Mi Box Mini and install custom ROMs.

Or you could just buy a different dirt cheap TV box.

Still, it’s impressive to see just how small these things can get.

 

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23 replies on “Mi Box Mini is the smallest TV box you’ve ever seen ($33 in China)”

  1. The colored side is the side that plugs into the A/C outlet. So you’ll never see that color! LOL

    They really seem to be ripping off Apple’s advertising photo style.

    1. LOL – Apple didnt patent the “Big font simple advertising on a black background” concept.. Those have been around since Victorian days. hahah

      1. OK. But check out photo 5/6. The arrangement of those different colored cubes is a lot like the original iMac ads. Not that Apple invented that either, but my point is valid.

  3. I probably dont need this since I have Fire TV, but if this thing has LP, I’m going to buy and install Android TV on it.

  4. What abt uk style plugs 🙁 we never get the ultra compact plugs/chargers

  5. I have 3 chromecast, 2 fire stick, 2 fire tv, 3 roku, and those crappy rockchip android dongles. but i will probably try this out at this price. love all these dirt cheap streamers!

    1. Hey, with that many devices in your arsenal you could probably write a damn fine comparison review. Very interested in any insights you can share re. streaming? Gaming? Video? Hacking? And reliability?

    1. I wonder what that will do to the unit’s WiFi reception? Especially in older houses with poorly shielded wiring.

  7. This is a pretty cool idea. One of my biggest pet peeves about small boxes, is that they are so light weight, that the tension of the HDMI cable will often prevent the box from staying in one spot.

    1. I know what you mean. they’re just dangling behind the TV causing a mess. But this one doesn’t seem to be closer to the TV as it is closer to the wall socket.

      1. I have a USB hub that is too light, and it is literally floating in the air, supported by USB cables. I’d like to see devices like Hubs with tabs on the side with screw holes, similar to coaxial cable splitters, so you can wall mount, or bolt them to the underside of your desk.

    1. agreed. would make it easier to get a custom rom on this thing. would also make it very convenient for carrying a bunch of movies during travels

      1. you can buy a WIFI-embedded portable drive
        like Western Digital’s My Passport Wireless
        so you can use this box to streaming video over WIFI

  9. So it should be MT8127, but I don’t get 4+2 core GPU? So it’s 4 or 6 core? MTK8127 has Mali-450MP4 and every other specs seems like it is MTK8127 only that GPU 4+2 isn’t.

  10. It’s small but having to be tethered to the wall severely limits its usability, at times I like the ability to run off a battery.

    1. “severely limits” is pushing it. there would be a very small percentage of people like yourself that would run a media streamer on a battery. obviously you are better off with a cheap tablet with hdmi. maybe those portable battery chargers would power it for awhile

    1. Never heard of that before. Maybe they should take “worlds smallest computer” down from their site. I’m sure the Intel Stick is smaller.

    2. Ewww. i.mx6. Unless you want to use it for Nix desktop, I don’t see the appeal of that 2 yrs old soc.

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