Xiaomi has steadily built a name for itself in the affordable televisions segment, producing consistently excellent TVs for several years. Its signature Patchwall — the interface that runs a Xiaomi TV — has become a fan favourite. And the company's recent decision to enhance Patchwall with Google TV's capabilities has resulted in a fresh line-up of value-for-money TVs in the Full HD and 4K segments.
Now, Xiaomi, under its Redmi brand, has taken this a step further. The company has jettisoned Patchwall and tied up with Amazon for possibly the most affordable 43-inch 4K television – the Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K 43. Priced at Rs 23,999 and powered by Amazon's Alexa, this TV is poised to be a game-changer.
The TV will officially go on sale on Friday (September 29) on Amazon and Redmi's official website.
Now let's dive right into this review.
Display and audio
The visual experience offered by the Redmi Smart Fire TV is captivating. Its 43-inch 4K screen boasts impressive visual fidelity, making it stand out among its peers. The TV's support for various applications, including popular streaming platforms like Netflix, ensures a delightful viewing experience.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhances the visual and auditory aspects of the TV, with deep black levels and exceptional colour reproduction. The TV's dynamic range effectively distinguishes between different scenes, adding depth to the display.
What truly elevates the visual experience is the software integration. The TV offers multiple picture modes, with movie and music modes being my favourites. These modes finetune the speaker settings, delivering spatial sound and enhancing picture sharpness.
The inclusion of Dolby Atmos further enhances the audio experience, providing room-filling sound even in smaller spaces. However, the TV's gaming performance is limited due to its 60 Hz refresh rate, making it less suitable for avid console gamers. But, in Xiaomi's own words, this TV is positioned as a gateway for most consumers to enter the world of 4K entertainment.
OS and performance
The Fire TV OS on the Redmi Smart Fire TV impresses with its responsiveness and snappy performance. Setting up the TV is effortless, and the OS presents a visually appealing layout with a well-balanced colour scheme. Navigating through applications is smooth, thanks to its user-friendly layout.
This TV supports a wide range of third-party OTT applications and can expand its app collection through the Fire TV store. Despite having just 2 GB of RAM, it delivers seamless performance, and switching between apps is swift. The 16 GB of internal storage is ample for storing additional apps.
For Alexa users, the TV integrates seamlessly with other Alexa-enabled devices, allowing for remote monitoring and control. Voice commands work efficiently, although they occasionally require app-specific details.
However, the absence of Xiaomi's Patchwall UI — which recommends movies — is notable. Additionally, the TV guide might be somewhat complicated for elderly users.
Design
The Redmi Smart Fire TV prioritises its operating system over visual enhancements. The TV sports a minimalistic black profile with Redmi and Fire TV badges. Considering its potential placement in living rooms and entertainment spaces, a more distinctive design would have been appreciated.
In terms of connectivity, the TV offers standard options, including HDMI ports, USB ports, an AUX port, and an ethernet port. The redesigned remote control features playback keys that work across applications and an Alexa button for responsive voice commands.
In conclusion
The Redmi Smart Fire TV 43-inch 4K is a commendable addition to Redmi's smart TV line-up. It offers responsive performance, impressive audio-visual quality, and an appealing Fire TV OS. If you're in the market for an affordable smart TV, especially one with a user-friendly operating system, the Redmi Smart Fire TV, at Rs 24,999 is a compelling choice.
Also read: Xiaomi supplier Dixon to open smartphone plant near Delhi as India pushes local manufacturing
