Premium Picture Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

Xiaomi TV S Mini LED (2025): A Value-Packed Contender in the Premium TV Arena

Xiaomi has been making waves in the tech world with its strategy of delivering innovative features at surprisingly affordable prices. Their latest contender in the premium TV market, the S Mini LED (2025), promises a cinematic viewing experience without breaking the bank. But can this newcomer truly challenge established giants like Samsung and LG?

We spent weeks putting the 65-inch model through its paces to find out.

Key Specifications:

• Resolution: 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
• Panel: QD-Mini LED with 392 local dimming zones
• Peak Brightness: 1200 nits (HDR)
• Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
• HDR Formats: HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ
• Audio: 4 speakers, total power output of 25 W
• Connectivity: 3x HDMI (2x HDMI 2.1), 2x USB, LAN, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth
• Operating System: Google TV
• Processor: Quad Cortex A73
• Memory: 3 GB RAM + 32 GB storage

Design and Build Quality:

Xiaomi clearly put effort into crafting a sleek design. The bezel-less display with a minimalist metallic frame instantly lends a premium feel, especially on larger screen sizes. However, the plastic feet might feel a tad thin for a TV in this price range. We’d have preferred a sturdier, metallic stand reminiscent of Samsung’s Neo QLED series. Thankfully, the inclusion of a standard VESA mount opens the door for wall-mounting, which we found to be a more reliable solution.

Connectivity:

The TV boasts a user-friendly centralized port layout on the back, making cable management a breeze. Xiaomi even includes cable clips to keep things tidy. The selection of ports is commendable, featuring three HDMI ports (two with HDMI 2.1 support), two USB ports, and a LAN port for reliable wired connectivity.

Picture Quality – A Closer Look:

The standout feature of this series is undoubtedly the QD-Mini LED backlight with 392 local dimming zones. Compared to Xiaomi’s base A Pro series, the difference in picture quality is immediately apparent. The Mini LED version handles high-contrast scenes with finesse, minimizing blooming around bright objects in dark backgrounds.

Brightness levels are truly impressive. It reaches up to 1200 nits in HDR mode, consistently maintaining 600 nits even when displaying bright content across the entire screen. These numbers compete with some of the brightest TVs in its price range, although premium models from Samsung and LG still have an edge with slightly higher peaks.

Gaming Features:

Xiaomi has significantly ramped up its gaming capabilities with the S Mini LED series. The presence of two HDMI 2.1 ports makes it ready for modern gaming features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).

We were pleasantly surprised by the low input lag of 4ms in game mode while gaming with a PlayStation 5. The TV also offers a "Game Boost" mode, which can interpolate frames to achieve a 240Hz refresh rate. However, we found that the native 144Hz refresh rate, combined with HDR and active gaming features, provided a more natural and precise experience.

Audio Performance:

While the visual performance is exceptional, the TV’s built-in audio system falls short. The sound lacks depth and punch, and we recommend investing in a quality soundbar or external speakers to truly elevate the viewing experience. For a budget-friendly option, consider something like the TCL S643W, which offers a significant sonic upgrade for under 4,500 CZK.

Operating System – Google TV:

Google TV provides a smooth and intuitive interface with a wide array of streaming services and apps.

We appreciate the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 for stable 4K streaming and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless wireless headphone or speaker connectivity. Apple AirPlay 2 and built-in Chromecast support round out the feature set, offering versatility for different user preferences. A LAN port is also available for wired connections.

Calibration and Picture Modes:

The TV offers a range of picture modes catering to diverse viewing preferences. However, users looking for the most accurate color rendition and contrast should explore the manual calibration settings.

The Verdict:

After weeks of testing, we can confidently say that Xiaomi has delivered a compelling product with the TV S Mini LED (2025).

It boasts an exceptional picture quality rivaling more expensive models, coupled with modern gaming features.

While the sound quality falls short and the stand design feels slightly underwhelming, the overall value proposition is undeniable. The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED (2025) is a top contender for those who prioritize picture quality, gaming performance, and affordability.

Redaction’s Rating: 93/100**