Specifications: 55” 10-bit 4K panel, HDR (3840 x 2160 pixels, 60Hz), LED backlit with local dimming, 178 degree viewing angle, 6.5ms response, Amlogic A53 64-bit quad core processor, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, Bluetooth 4.2, WiFi, 10W + 10W speakers, Android TV, Google Voice Search, Chromecast, 3 x HDMI (one ARC), 2 x USB, Ethernet, RCA input, antenna, 120W power consumption, 12.7kg
Pros: Amazing value, slim bezels, lightweight, excellent performance, louder sound compared to ultra-thin TVs, responsive Bluetooth remote, dual interface
Cons: Fatter & conventional TV design with plastic back, no native Netflix support
Xiaomi’s big play in the TV segment continues with the launch of two new TVs: a 43-inch (4A Pro) and a new 55-inch called the 4X Pro. Our review here is based on the new 55-inch TV that they call Mi LED TV 4X Pro.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mi LED TV 4X Pro But wait a minute — doesn’t Xiaomi already have a 55-inch TV in its line-up? They sure do and it’s also a little unfair. Allow us to explain: the original, superthin 55-inch TV launched for Rs 39,999. But the depreciating Rupee, rising input costs and software updates mean that the same TV is now priced at Rs 49,999. That TV, with the full glass front, metal back and 4.9mm thickness, is a work of art! This one, not so much. But it’s still amazing value. You’re getting a lot of TV for your money. The idea is to get people to upgrade to larger screen sizes, hopefully paving the way for future 65 and 75-inch TVs. It’s also unfair that this exact TV — the 55-inch 4X Pro — costs under Rs 30k in China (price conversion correct at the time of writing). You can blame our taxes and duties for that.
Essentially, this new 55-inch 4X Pro and the older 55-inch 4 Pro are the same. What you’re giving up is the design. It’s more conventional, with a fatter design and plastic back. It does have slim bezels on all four sides and a clean front with no buttons. A slight premium touch is the metallic grey finish on the plastic frame. You get a 10-bit HDR panel, 4K resolution, Android TV, Bluetooth, LED backlight with local dimming, Chromecast — the works! The dual interface is clever: you can switch between Xiaomi’s Patchwall and Android TV interface at the touch of a button. And we love the Bluetooth voice remote. It’s smart, tiny and intuitive. All TV remotes, irrespective of price, should be like this.
Mi LED TV 4X Pro Android TV gives you access to many different apps from the Play Store plus many different Google Services. You can download the official app and use your phone as a remote. The company claims 7,00,000 hours of content on Patchwall though a large part of that is paid, in partnership with providers like Hooq, Voot, Hungama and Sony LIV. Many of the usual streaming services like Hotstar, Zee5 and Jio are available as apps. Amazon Prime Video isn’t but you can easily sideload the Android TV apk file to install it and it works great. Netflix is still absconding but we do have hope. Thankfully, Chromecast is built in so the workaround to view Netflix content is to get the Netflix app on your phone and cast it to the TV.
ADVERTISEMENT
The quality of the panel is great, with excellent viewing angles and fast response time. It offers some deep blacks too with a setting called adaptive backlight. HDR 10-bit compatibility means that supported content (from Netflix and certain game consoles) will give you a totally new experience. It’s almost unbelievable that such a high quality panel can be offered at this price! Sound is louder too, with the fatter enclosure allowing for larger speakers.
Mi LED TV 4X Pro So it’s a win-win situation. Consumers can still get a 55-inch TV with all the bells & whistles for Rs 40k. More discerning users can spend the extra Rs 10k to jump to the world’s thinnest LED TV 4 Pro. As for the competition, there are brands like CloudWalker, Kodak, iFFalcon, Thomson, Daiwa and MarQ (Flipkart’s own) in the fray. Our money’s still on Xiaomi: they’re currently leading the smart TV segment in India (IDC report 2018), consumer sentiment is positive and they have a massive presence both offline & online.
ADVERTISEMENT
LG's Roll-Up TV, Samsung Space Monitor: Here's What Was Showcased at CES on Day 1
1/11
CES 2019 has begun and we cannot keep calm. The biggest consumer technology exhibition in the world has all things fancy for us to watch-out for. From, LG's roll-up TV to Samsung's Space Monitor; here's a look at some of the biggest showcases:
(In Pic: Top left and bottom right - Samsung Space Monitor, Top right and bottom left - LG Roll-up TV)
CES 2019 has begun and we cannot keep calm. The biggest consumer technology exhibition in the world has all things fancy for us to watch-out for. From, LG's roll-up TV to Samsung's Space Monitor; her..
Read More
A 4K TV that rolls up is going to be very expensive and of course look good in your living room. A TV that is there when you want it and disappears when you don’t. This is the kind of product that blends-in with the aesthetics of your home. It drops slowly and steadily into the base and, with the push of a button, rises back up in about 10 seconds.
A 4K TV that rolls up is going to be very expensive and of course look good in your living room. A TV that is there when you want it and disappears when you don’t. This is the kind of product that bl..
Read More
This offering from Samsung aims to make the experience of people working in offices better, and add value. It is easy to set up and adjust, and when you are not using it, it is simple to push back and store it flat against the wall. It has a unique built-in space saving solution, a minimalist fully integrated arm. You can clamp it to the desk and free up desk space.
This offering from Samsung aims to make the experience of people working in offices better, and add value. It is easy to set up and adjust, and when you are not using it, it is simple to push back an..
Read More
Beer drinkers, rejoice! Finally, a tech company has solved a really important problem. Imagine brewing your very own beer in the cofort of your home. The gadget brews craft beer by utilising single-use capsules, which have the ingredients needed for the perfect pint. Each capsule contains malt, yeast, hop oil and flavouring. The machine ferments, carbonates, ages and serves beer automatically. You can make up to five litres of beer in one go.
Beer drinkers, rejoice! Finally, a tech company has solved a really important problem. Imagine brewing your very own beer in the cofort of your home. The gadget brews craft beer by utilising single-u..
Read More
The Vive Pro Eye's endeavour is to bring better and improved quality of VR experiences. This is possible through a technique called 'foveated rendering'. The price for this has not been decided yet, but it is most likely to be launched in the second quarter of 2019. You may be able to quickly open menus, search on the internet, and much more by just focusing your line of sight.
The Vive Pro Eye's endeavour is to bring better and improved quality of VR experiences. This is possible through a technique called 'foveated rendering'. The price for this has not been decided yet, ..
Read More
Imagine, a smart ring that will not just be able to measure your heart rate, but also make payments. Motiv's smart ring can track your exercise and activity. However, what needs to be seen is whether the reading of the heart is accurate and it can be thrown off by exercise or other heart irregularities.
Imagine, a smart ring that will not just be able to measure your heart rate, but also make payments. Motiv's smart ring can track your exercise and activity. However, what needs to be seen is whether..
Read More
Samsung has always been working towards 'connected living'. In their endeavour to do so, they have introduced the Bot Care which aims to assist users in their daily health routines. The robot is capable of monitoring sleep cycles, call emergency services, offer music therapy for managing stress. It can even give you exercise guidance and give daily health updates.
Samsung has always been working towards 'connected living'. In their endeavour to do so, they have introduced the Bot Care which aims to assist users in their daily health routines. The robot is capa..
Read More
Believe it or not, but this has legs, which allow it to go where there are no roads. It can trek or climb over difficult terrain, ford rivers, clamber and climb. The Elevate, or the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle is the blend of a car, a robot, and the Mars rover. It can prove to be beneficial to first responders by helping them to reach places where they otherwise cannot.
Believe it or not, but this has legs, which allow it to go where there are no roads. It can trek or climb over difficult terrain, ford rivers, clamber and climb. The Elevate, or the Ultimate Mobility..
Read More
Harley-Davidson's first electric bike can produce 100 per cent of its rated torque the instant the bike is put on throttle. It has the ability to propel the bike from 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. Because it’s all electric, you don't have to use the clutch or gear shift. The company says that the futuristic bike will produce a new signature sound as it accelerates and gains speed.
Harley-Davidson's first electric bike can produce 100 per cent of its rated torque the instant the bike is put on throttle. It has the ability to propel the bike from 0-60 mph in less than 3.5 second..
Read More
Dell subsidiary Alienware unveiled its thinnest and lightest 17-inch notebook with Alienware m17, weighing only 2.6 kgs. The laptop is powered by 8th-gen Intel Core i9K processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics processing units (GPUs).
Dell subsidiary Alienware unveiled its thinnest and lightest 17-inch notebook with Alienware m17, weighing only 2.6 kgs. The laptop is powered by 8th-gen Intel Core i9K processors and NVIDIA GeForce ..
