Do you have a TV with a good picture that is still a plain set with no YouTube or Netflix, or a smart TV whose old, slow system no longer gets app updates? You do not need to buy a new TV. A small device plugged into an HDMI port is enough to give your screen a full Google TV system with its apps and updates. In this review we put the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) under the microscope: what it actually offers according to its official specs, who it suits and who it does not, how it copes with Iraqi home conditions such as heat, dust and power cuts, and which in-stock accessories and alternatives complete the experience.
How to choose a smart TV box
- System and apps: Choose a device running an official, licensed system such as Google TV. It guarantees access to the major apps from the Google Play Store and security updates, unlike unknown boxes with modified systems.
- Resolution and formats: If your TV is 4K, look for 4K support with HDR formats such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+. If it is Full HD, you will benefit more from a smooth system than from resolution.
- Internet connection: Check for dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), and for an Ethernet port if you prefer a wired connection.
- Memory and storage: RAM determines how smoothly you move between apps, and storage determines how many apps you can install.
- Remote and phone casting: A remote with a microphone spares you typing movie titles letter by letter, and built-in Chromecast sends video from your phone to the screen with one tap.
Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen): verified specs and features
This is the third generation of Xiaomi's best-known device in its category, and it runs Google TV. According to the official specifications page on Xiaomi's website, it has a quad-core processor clocked up to 2.5GHz with an ARM G310 V2 GPU, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It outputs 4K, decodes video up to 4K at 60 frames per second, and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, while audio support covers Dolby Audio and DTS:X.
- Ports: one HDMI 2.1 port, one USB 2.0 port, and a power input.
- Wireless: dual-band Wi-Fi at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, plus Bluetooth 5.2.
- Remote: a Bluetooth remote with a microphone for Google Assistant and dedicated buttons for Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video.
- Phone casting: built-in Chromecast to send video from your phone to the TV.
Plug it into HDMI and power, sign in with your Google account, and you get a unified interface that gathers content from your apps in one place, with apps coming straight from the Google Play Store.
Who it suits and who it does not
- Suits: anyone with a plain TV, or a smart TV on an old system that no longer receives app updates.
- Suits: families who want Arabic and international streaming apps on the big screen with an interface that is easy for adults and children.
- Suits: owners of a 4K TV who want to enjoy Dolby Vision and HDR10+ in content that offers them.
- Does not suit: anyone whose modern TV already runs a fast Google TV system, as the difference will be small.
- Does not suit: anyone who insists on a wired internet connection, since the official specs do not list an Ethernet port.
- Does not suit: anyone looking for heavy gaming or running many apps at once, since 2GB of RAM is aimed mainly at watching.
Honest strengths and limits
Its biggest strength is that it combines an official system, support for the most important picture and sound formats, a voice remote and built-in Chromecast in a small body that disappears behind the TV. On the other hand, 2GB of RAM is enough for watching and switching between common apps, but it is not meant for heavy multitasking. The single USB port is USB 2.0, fine for a flash drive but not the fastest. Finally, Dolby Vision support in the box does not mean you will see it on screen unless your TV also supports the format.
Real-world use in Iraqi conditions
- Power cuts: a power cut means the box stops and then boots again along with the TV, which is normal. What matters more is protecting it from voltage fluctuations at the moment of switching between the national grid and the generator, so plug it into a power strip with surge protection.
- Heat: do not place it on top of the satellite receiver or inside a closed cabinet; keep it somewhere ventilated, because small devices suffer from heat build-up in summer.
- Dust: wipe the box and remote with a dry cloth from time to time, and avoid spraying cleaners directly onto the ports.
- Internet: because the connection is wireless, streaming quality depends heavily on the router and its location. Use the 5GHz network when the router is close and 2.4GHz when it is far behind walls, and when your line is weak choose a lower resolution in the app instead of suffering constant buffering.
In-stock accessories and alternatives that complete the setup
Cable quality and Wi-Fi strength decide half of the smart TV box experience, and these in-stock products solve the most common problems.
UGREEN 2M flat HDMI cable, 4K@60Hz
If the box sits far from the TV, or you want to run the cable neatly along the wall, this two-metre flat cable with 4K@60Hz support matches the maximum the box can decode, and its flat shape makes it easy to route behind a wall-mounted TV.
TP-Link Archer AX55 PRO AX3000 router
Since the box relies on Wi-Fi, the router is its most important partner. This dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router is rated AX3000 and has gigabit ports, as its name indicates, making it a balanced mid-range choice for homes that stream on more than one screen at the same time.
TP-Link Archer AX12 AX1500 router: the budget choice
If the router that came with your internet subscription is old or has a weak signal, this Wi-Fi 6 router rated AX1500 is an affordable step toward a more stable connection in an apartment or small house.
TP-Link Deco X10 Mesh system, 3-pack: for large homes
In two-storey homes with thick walls, Wi-Fi often fails to reach the guest room or the upper floor. A three-unit Mesh system spreads the network across the whole house under a single network name, so the TV box stays connected wherever you put it.
UGREEN UG-90451 USB-C to HDMI adapter: an alternative for phone mirroring
If all you need is to show what is on your phone on the TV, this adapter connects a USB-C port directly to an HDMI input at up to 4K@60Hz, as its name states. Note that not every phone supports video output over USB-C, so check your phone first. A TV box remains more comfortable for daily use because it works with a remote without keeping your phone plugged in.
Common mistakes when buying a TV box
- Buying a box with an unofficial system: many boxes promise hundreds of channels but run modified systems that never receive updates, and their apps may stop working suddenly.
- Ignoring the router: the best smart TV box will still buffer if the signal is weak in the living room.
- Expecting a 4K picture on a Full HD TV: the box outputs up to 4K, but the final picture is limited by your screen.
- Forgetting subscriptions: the box opens the door to apps, but services such as Netflix need their own subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Xiaomi TV Box S work with any TV?
It works with any TV that has an HDMI port, whether plain or smart. Very old TVs with only AV inputs cannot connect to it directly. Remember that the final resolution is set by your screen, so a Full HD TV will display Full HD.
Does the box need a monthly subscription?
The box itself needs no subscription, and you can use free apps such as YouTube right away. Paid streaming services such as Netflix and Prime Video each have their own subscription, paid to the service itself.
Can it connect to the internet with a cable?
The official specs list only an HDMI port, a USB 2.0 port and a power input, with no Ethernet port, so the connection is over dual-band Wi-Fi. That is why a good router close to the TV makes a clear difference to streaming stability.
Can I play videos from my phone on the TV?
Yes. The box has built-in Chromecast, so you tap the cast button inside a compatible app such as YouTube to send the video to the screen, as long as the phone and the box are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Is the box affected by power cuts and switching to the generator?
A power cut itself simply means the box stops and boots again when power returns. The real risk is voltage fluctuation at the moment of switching, so it is better to plug the TV and the box together into a power strip with surge protection.
How can I make sure the box is genuine?
A genuine box runs the official Google TV system, asks you to sign in with a Google account during setup, and shows the full Google Play Store. Inspect the box and labels on delivery, and confirm the warranty period and terms before completing your order.
The verdict
If you have a TV with a good screen but an old or non-smart system, the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) is one of the smartest ways to renew it without replacing it, with an official system, 4K picture and a voice remote.
- For a family in an apartment or small house: the box plus the Archer AX12 router if your current router is weak.
- For homes streaming on several screens: the box plus the Archer AX55 PRO router.
- For a large two-storey home: the box plus the Deco X10 system so the network reaches every room.
- For anyone who only mirrors a phone occasionally: the UGREEN UG-90451 adapter is enough.
Order now from Jowat Al-Souq with cash on delivery and delivery to every province in Iraq, and if you have any question about compatibility or warranty before ordering, message us on WhatsApp. Turn your TV into a smart screen today.
