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Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) vs Roku Ultra (4850R): Which One Fits Your Setup?

Choose Xiaomi if Google TV is your preferred platform and the U.S. retail setup fits. Choose Roku if you want Roku’s platform or need the explicitly documented Ethernet and USB local-playback options on model 4850R. Xiaomi’s global spec page does not confirm whether the U.S. retail version supports those wired or playback uses, so verify before treating its documentation gap as a device limitation; the sources do not establish a speed, reliability, picture or audio winner.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-17

Source checked 2026-10-17 00:50 UTC

Products compared

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The buying question

Should you choose the Google TV platform on Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen), or Roku's platform and the Roku Ultra's documented wired-network and USB playback options?

Xiaomi identifies Google TV and lists its Wi-Fi and port configuration on a global specification page. Roku identifies its platform and explicitly documents Ethernet and USB local playback for model 4850R. The Xiaomi page does not settle whether its US retail unit offers the same wired or USB playback options.

Quick verdict

Choose Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) if

  • Google TV is the platform you want, and you have checked that the exact US package suits your services and connection needs.
View Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) on AmazonPaid link

Choose Roku Ultra (model 4850R) if

  • You want Roku's streaming platform.
  • You specifically need a documented 10/100 Ethernet connection or USB local playback on the streaming device.
View Roku Ultra (model 4850R) on AmazonPaid link
When to skip: Skip both if the TV has no usable HDMI input.
When the recommendation changes
  • If Xiaomi's exact US retail model is confirmed to support a required wired or USB playback workflow, that may change the connection-based choice.
  • If a particular streaming service is essential, verified support on the exact device and in your region may outweigh the platform preference or port details.

The differences that matter

Streaming Platform And App Discovery Ecosystem

Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)

The manufacturer lists Google TV as the operating system for Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen). This identifies the platform, not the availability of every app or service in every region.[1]

Roku Ultra (model 4850R)

Roku describes the Roku streaming platform/experience for Roku Ultra; the source does not establish app-by-app parity with Google TV.[2]

What this changes: The software platform preference is a concrete way to choose between the two; verify any must-have service on the exact device and region instead of assuming the catalogs match.[1, 2]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Wired Network And Documented Port Fit

Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)

Xiaomi Global lists Wi-Fi at 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, one HDMI 2.1 port, one USB 2.0 port and a power interface. The page does not state whether this model supports wired Ethernet or local playback through USB; those capabilities remain unconfirmed here.[1]

Roku Ultra (model 4850R)

Roku lists dual-band Wi-Fi 6, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 3.0 and HDMI 2.1b, and identifies the USB port for local playback.[2]

What this changes: The port lists make the setup question concrete: USB 2.0 is listed for Xiaomi and USB 3.0 plus USB local playback are listed for Roku. Roku also has documented Ethernet; Xiaomi’s global page does not state Ethernet support. These specifications do not establish accessory compatibility or measured transfer/streaming performance, and Xiaomi’s unlisted capabilities remain unknown.[1, 2]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

You specifically want a device identified by its manufacturer as running Google TV.

Best fit: Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

The Xiaomi manufacturer specification names Google TV. This is a platform-fit recommendation, not a guarantee that a particular app or service is available in every region.

View Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) on AmazonPaid link

A built-in Ethernet jack or documented local playback from a USB device is a required part of your setup.

Best fit: Roku Ultra (model 4850R)

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Roku's exact 4850R page explicitly lists Ethernet and USB local playback. The Xiaomi page does not establish whether those capabilities are absent; confirm the exact Xiaomi unit before relying on either feature gap.

View Roku Ultra (model 4850R) on AmazonPaid link

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

No current same-market offers or price history were assessed. Compare current offers only after the exact retail package is confirmed; a price difference is meaningful only if the chosen platform or a documented connection feature matters to your setup.

Current offers and price history were not assessed; no purchase-timing guidance is provided.

Limitations

  • Xiaomi's linked manufacturer specification page is global. It does not confirm the U.S. retail package shown here or that package's warranty.
  • The Xiaomi source lists its named interfaces but does not state whether Ethernet or USB local playback is supported; do not infer absence from that gap.
  • App and streaming-service availability can depend on the exact app, device version, region and subscription; verify any must-have service before choosing a platform.
  • No hands-on test or independent comparative test was conducted. These sources do not establish differences in startup speed, network stability, image/audio quality or long-term reliability.
  • Current offers and price history were not assessed.

Questions shoppers ask

Does the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) have Ethernet?

The Xiaomi Global specification page lists Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, USB and power, but it does not state Ethernet support. That leaves Ethernet unconfirmed by this source; it is not proof that the U.S. retail version lacks it. Check the exact unit before buying if wired Ethernet is required.

Will both devices have the streaming apps I use?

The sources identify different platforms but do not verify every app or service on both exact devices and in every region. Check support for your must-have service on the specific device, and include any subscription requirement in your choice.

Methodology and sources

The Roku US product page explicitly identifies model 4850R. The Xiaomi Global specification page names Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen); it is used only for that named model's published features, not to infer US package, warranty or offer details. The comparison maps each source to the claims it supports and preserves unspecified features as unknown.

AI assistance organized the manufacturer-published model, platform and connectivity details into conditional buying guidance; it did not measure either device.

View 2 sources
  1. 1.Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) SpecsXiaomi Global · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-17 00:50 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Platform/Operating System and Connectivity sections; lines 49–79 in opened page: The page names Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen), lists Google TV, Wi-Fi at 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, one HDMI 2.1 port, one USB 2.0 port and one power interface. It lists a remote, manual, power adapter and HDMI cable in the package. This is a global page; it does not establish the U.S. retail package, warranty, service availability, Ethernet capability, or USB media playback behavior for the product listed here.
  2. 2.Roku Ultra | The ultimate streaming playerRoku · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-17 00:50 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Product details: Networking, Ports, Local playback, Remote control, Model; lines 249–300 and 303–321 in opened page: The US manufacturer page explicitly lists model 4850R. It specifies dual-band Wi-Fi 6, 10/100 Ethernet, USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1b, and local playback via USB; it names the Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) and lists its box contents. This supports the Roku model name and described features, not measured performance.

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