Like Hisense, Xiaomi has launched its first TVs based on Amazon's Fire TV platform. Xiaomi's F2 Fire TVs are available now in parts of Europe starting at 339 Euro / UK pounds.
The Xiaomi TV brand is usually associated with Android TV and while there are no indications that Xiaomi is planning to abandon its partnership with Google, the launch of Fire TVs is an interesting development.
In the past, Google effectively blocked its partners – TV makers – from using any competing Android-based operating system in their TV line-ups. Amazon's Fire TV is based on Android, or specifically AOSP (Android Open Source Project). This contract provision was challenged legally (via TechCrunch) which likely explains why we are now seeing both Hisense and Xiaomi add Fire TVs to their line-ups.
The move also signifies that the TV platform market remains in flux. With Amazon's Fire TV, Apple's tvOS, Google's Android TV and Google TV, LG's webOS and Samsung's Tizen, there are no clear winners just yet.
- "It is a great pleasure to work with Amazon, and to jointly provide users with a high-quality home entertainment experience with the Fire TV. This is Xiaomi‘s first smart TV equipped with Fire TV and offers a high-quality content experience and Alexa smart assistant, delivering an overall smart TV experience," said Quanxin Wang, GM of Product & Technology, Xiaomi International.
Xiaomi's first Fire TV. Photo: Xiaomi
60Hz 4K LCD TVs
Fire TV offers access to the popular streaming services including Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO and Netflix as well as local services in regions where FireTV is officially available. The TVs also support Apple AirPlay 2.
The TVs are entry-level models with 60Hz LCD panels, 4K resolution, four HDMI 2.0 ports, ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), HDR10 software support, and Amazon Alexa support. They come with 16GB of storage, 2GB of RAM, and built-in 12W stereo speakers.
Xiaomi's F2 TVs are available now from, unsurprisingly, Amazon in 43, 50 and 55 inches starting at €339 in Germany and £339 in the UK.
