Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55-Inch Review: An Excellent Value-For-Money Pick
Xiaomi has established itself as a major player in the Indian television market, known for its focus on value-for-money offerings. The latest addition to its lineup, the Mi TV 5X, continues this tradition, delivering an impressive Ultra-HD LED Smart TV at a tempting price point. With Dolby Vision support, hands-free Google Assistant, and a blend of Android TV 10 and PatchWall UI, the Mi TV 5X promises a compelling experience. But does it live up to the hype? This in-depth review dives into the design, software, performance, and overall value to help you decide if the Mi TV 5X is the right fit for your home theater needs.
Design and Specifications: A Refined Aesthetic
The Mi TV 5X marks a shift in branding, displaying the new Xiaomi logo prominently below the screen instead of the familiar "Mi". This sleek silver strip, along with slimmer bezels, gives the Mi TV 5X a distinct look, setting it apart from competitors and even Xiaomi’s own earlier models such as the Redmi TV X Series and the Mi TV 4X range.
The Mi TV 5X retains a respectable build quality, despite not being as thin as some of the flagship TVs in the market. The back of the TV features a carbon-fiber-like texture and houses a dual-port setup with ports facing both downwards and to the left of the screen. Ports facing downwards include the less frequently used Ethernet, optical audio out, composite AV input, and antenna port, while the two USB ports, three HDMI 2.1 ports, and 3.5mm audio out socket are conveniently located on the left.
The Mi TV 5X 55 comes in three sizes: 55-inch (priced at Rs. 45,999), 50-inch (Rs. 41,999), and 43-inch (Rs. 31,999). All three models boast Ultra-HD resolution (3840×2160 pixels) and Dolby Vision HDR support.
The 55-inch model features a bright LED-backlit panel that supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats, delivering exceptional picture quality. It also packs in a punch with a 40W sound output system, supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD. Connectivity is seamless with dual-band Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5. Powering this robust experience is a quad-core processor coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage for apps and data.
The Remote: Familiar Design, Focused Functionality
Xiaomi has maintained a consistent approach to its TV remotes, and the Mi TV 5X features a familiar minimalist remote. Though the lack of included AAA batteries remains a minor annoyance, the remote’s design prioritizes simplicity and efficiency. The compact layout ensures easy navigation, allowing you to seamlessly transition between Android TV and PatchWall interfaces.
Beyond the standard controls, the Mi TV 5X’s remote includes additional features such as Quick Mute and Quick Settings access, making for a streamlined user experience. The remote also facilitates hands-free Google Assistant, thanks to a built-in microphone, allowing you to control your television and compatible smart home devices with your voice. As an added bonus, the Mi TV 5X supports Alexa as your default voice assistant if you prefer.
Software and Interface: A Seamless Blend
The Mi TV 5X runs on Android TV 10 and seamlessly integrates PatchWall 4, Xiaomi’s proprietary launcher. This combination provides a familiar and flexible interface, providing access to the full potential of Android TV’s vast app library, including the Google Play Store with over 5,000 apps available.
Android TV users will find the familiar stock UI, which gives users full control and access to settings, even while content is playing, by simply long-pressing the Mi button on the remote. However, a short press instantly switches to PatchWall 4, showcasing a curated selection of content from a wide array of streaming services.
PatchWall 4 has been refined with features like integrated IMDB ratings, updated information pages, and improved ease of access for settings, source inputs, and installed apps. The content-centric approach makes the launcher particularly appealing for viewers who appreciate recommendations and curated experiences.
A notable addition is the Mi Home app support, allowing users to control their Xiaomi IoT devices through the TV or with voice commands. This integration can be incredibly useful for users with Xiaomi smart home devices, such as the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb.
Performance: Picture Perfect and Soundful, With a Few Caveats
The Mi TV 5X 55 delivers a compelling blend of picture quality and sound performance that exceeded expectations. The Dolby Vision support especially elevates the visual experience, showcasing a marked improvement in brightness and contrast, which is especially noticeable with vibrant shows and movies.
Watching Squid Game in Ultra-HD and Dolby Vision was a testament to the Mi TV 5X’s ability to capture the tone and essence of content. Colors, especially the bright pinks and greens, were subtly yet effectively rendered, while the overall picture was sharp, detailed, and smooth. Shows like Our Planet and Clarkson’s Farm also shone on the Mi TV 5X, showcasing the impressive dynamic range capabilities.
The Mi TV 5X effectively handled standard dynamic range and standard definition content, preserving clarity and sharpness. The upscaled footage for The Last Dance and classic series like The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, and Schumacher looked surprisingly good.
Sound is a crucial aspect of the viewing experience, and the 40W speakers of the Mi TV 5X deliver comfortable and acceptable audio for casual viewing. The TV gets loud and provides a consistent sound profile without bothersome volume spikes. The Dolby Atmos support enhances the sound experience, though the lack of Dolby Atmos detection means that the TV might upscales the sound signal at the hardware level.
Despite its strengths, the Mi TV 5X does exhibit some minor performance hiccups. These include occasional lag and stutter during streaming, delayed responses to remote commands, and occasional Wi-Fi connection drops. Some users might also encounter subtitle timing issues, with subtitles appearing slightly delayed but disappearing on time. While these issues aren’t pervasive and can typically be fixed by restarting the TV, they do detract from the overall user experience.
Verdict: A Strong Contender for Value and Performance
The Mi TV 5X 55 solidifies Xiaomi’s commitment to delivering value-for-money televisions. At Rs. 45,999, it stands out as a top pick among 55-inch TVs under Rs. 50,000. The Mi TV 5X strikes a satisfying balance between design, features, and performance, offering a compelling experience with minimal drawbacks. It delivers exactly what one would expect from a television in this price range.
While the minor performance glitches are unfortunate, they don’t significantly overshadow the overall excellent user experience. The Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 stands as a compelling option for budget-conscious viewers who desire a big-screen experience packed with features and decent performance, making it a strong choice for your living room.
