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Xiaomi offers the most affordable way for South Africans to upgrade their TVs

 ·18 Mar 2026

For many South African households, upgrading a television simply to access modern streaming apps can feel unnecessary and expensive.

Xiaomi’s range of streaming devices offers a smarter solution by allowing users to upgrade their existing TVs with fast, modern streaming capabilities.

These devices include the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Media Player, the Xiaomi 4K TV Stick Media Player, and the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd-gen.

These are the two main forms of streaming devices – sticks and boxes.

TV sticks are small, portable devices that plug directly into your TV’s HDMI port and offer a simple, affordable, and plug-and-play way to add streaming apps to older TVs.

TV boxes are slightly larger standalone devices that connect to the TV and offer stronger performance, additional storage, and enhanced streaming capabilities for households that use streaming services regularly.

Both categories offer an affordable solution for South Africans. The challenge for many households is that televisions often lose access to modern streaming services over time.

Even relatively recent smart TVs can struggle with slow interfaces, outdated operating systems, or apps that no longer receive updates.

This means viewers may suddenly lose access to popular platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or DStv Stream, despite their TV still offering excellent visuals.

Xiaomi’s streaming devices solve this problem by bypassing the TV’s built-in software and replacing it with a modern streaming platform.

Users gain a fast interface, updated apps, and access to thousands of services without needing to invest in a new TV.

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Media Player – Now R749 (RRP R949)

The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick Media Player is designed for first-time streaming users who want a simple and affordable way to access modern entertainment.

Its compact design is roughly the size of a USB flash drive, allowing it to sit discreetly behind your TV without adding clutter to your setup.

The TV Stick Media Player plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port, which powers it too, enabling a quick and straightforward installation process.

Within minutes, users can access a modern streaming interface and begin exploring thousands of apps.

The TV Stick provides access to popular services including Netflix, Disney+, DStv Stream, YouTube, and many other apps available through the Android TV platform.

This allows those new to streaming to easily discover movies, series, live sports, and children’s programming from a single interface.

Built-in Chromecast support and voice control through Google Assistant further enable users to cast content directly from their devices or search for content by just speaking into the remote control’s microphone.

For households entering the streaming world, the Xiaomi TV Stick Media Player offers an affordable and beginner-friendly starting point.

Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) Media Player – Now R1,199 (RRP R2,199)

Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) Media Player is similar to the Mi TV Stick, but adds 4K streaming.

This makes it a great option for viewers who want the compact and portable design of a streaming stick while enjoying higher-resolution content on compatible televisions.

Like the standard TV Stick, it plugs directly into an HDMI port and can be set up in minutes.

It also features 2GB RAM over the Mi Stick’s 1GB RAM, as well as an improved CPU and GPU for better overall performance.

For viewers who want high-resolution streaming in a compact form factor, the Xiaomi 4K TV Stick Media Player 2nd Gen offers a powerful yet portable upgrade.

Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen – Now R1,199 (RRP R1,399)

The Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen is aimed at value-focused households that want strong performance and wide streaming support.

It is powered by 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which provide responsive navigation between apps as well as space for downloads, games, and personalised entertainment tools.

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 then offer stable wireless performance, providing you with a smooth streaming experience at all times.

Powered by Google TV, the device offers access to more than 10,000 apps and integrations through a single intuitive interface.

This lets you stream content from all your favourite streaming services without having to worry about losing access to any of them.

You can enjoy this content with a superior audiovisual experience thanks to the TV Box S 3rd-gen’s 4K support along with Dolby Vision.

Together, these deliver sharp details, rich colours, and improved contrasts that make your movies, live sports, and documentaries more immersive.

For households and families that rely heavily on streaming services, the Xiaomi TV Box S 3rd Gen provides excellent performance and broad platform support at an accessible price.

The Xiaomi advantage

Xiaomi has built a strong reputation globally by delivering advanced technology at accessible price points.

Its streaming devices reflect this philosophy by making modern smart TV features available to a wider audience.

By separating smart functionality from the television itself, Xiaomi allows households to upgrade their viewing experience without replacing perfectly good hardware.

This approach ensures South African families can enjoy modern streaming platforms, voice control features, and high-quality audiovisual experiences at a fraction of the cost of a new TV.

Click here to browse Xiaomi’s TV streaming devices on Takealot.

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