(Update @ 3:25pm: added more information from Xiaomi’s official website)
One year after Xiaomi launched its super-desirable Mi TV 2, the Chinese company has just released its latest smart TV: a 40-inch variant of the Mi TV 2, powered by MIUI TV.
The original 49-inch Mi TV 2 proved wildly popular for several reasons, and the new 40-inch variant is set to follow in its footsteps. It is placed as a smaller and more affordable alternative to the larger Mi TV 2, with a 40-inch 1080 panel sourced from Sharp and is powered by a MStar 6A908 1.1GHz quad-core processor with a Mali 450 MP4 dual-core GPU. There’s also 1.5GB of RAM (compared to 2GB on the 49″ Mi TV 2), and 8GB of internal storage.
The new 40″ Mi TV 2 is also ever so slightly thinner than the 49″ variant, at just 14.5mm at its thinnest point (compared to 15.5mm on the 49-incher). But unlike the larger TV, this variant will not come bundled with its own sound bar and subwoofer; instead the built-in speakers will have Dolby MS12 virtual surround sound enhancements.
In terms of connectivity options, Xiaomi looks like it is leading the pack once again. There’s dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz WiFi with 2×2 antennas, an independent Bluetooth antenna that can connect up to 15 devices simultaneously (including remote controls, keyboards, mice, headsets, and gaming controllers), 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports (with 1x USB 3.0), 1 VGA port, analog TV ports, Ethernet as well as an audio output.
But what is likely to be the most impressive aspect of the new 40″ Mi TV 2 is in the software. With over 240,000 hours of online content available, we’re seeing the first fruits of Xiaomi’s $1 billion investment into content providers in China. Here, users can find hit TV series, movies, music and TV-adapted games both from China and beyond.
On top of that, users can also link the 40″ Mi TV 2 with any Xiaomi router and even the Yi home surveillance camera, which can be viewed in PIP (picture-in-picture) and full-screen modes.
That’s not all, either. Xiaomi is also introducing MIUI TV on the 40″ Mi TV 2, which is based on Android 4.4. This software, including the recently-announced Bluetooth game controller, turns the 40″ Mi TV 2 into a game console – without the console. Xiaomi has promised that MIUI TV will have regular monthly updates for content, and system updates every two months with new features and experiences.
Finally, there’s possibly the most interesting part of the new TV. The 40″ Mi TV 2 has a full-format player built-in called the Mi-Player, with H.265 10-bit decoding – certainly one of the cheapest TVs offering this. The TV is also able to natively support all major video formats, including MKV, MP4, AVI, MOV, FLV and RMVB.
Of course, with any Xiaomi product, the biggest surprise of all would be the price. At a retail price of just 1,999 Yuan (about RM1,180), the 40″ Mi TV 2 again offers incredible value for money even if it isn’t bundled with a sound bar and subwoofer.
The Xiaomi 40″ Mi TV 2 will go on sale in China from 31 March, and like the larger 49″ variant, will likely not be available internationally for the foreseeable future.
(Source: Xiaomi (Facebook), MIUI Forums)
