Xiaomi Mi Smart Compact Projector Review | 84 Data compared

Despite its strong value, the projector has several functional limitations, most notably a low light output that renders images flet and unusable in direct daylight, though it performs adequately from dusk onwards. Hardware and software design oversights include the complete lack of an optical zoom and horizontal keystone correction, forcing users to position the unit dead-centre to avoid image distortion. Additional inconveniences include a short power cable for a device requiring a constant plug-in connection, an unlit remote control that is difficult to navigate in the dark, and a poorly designed settings menu displaying dark grey text on black background, making it unreadable in brighter environments. Finally, buyers must be careful to purchase the international edition rather than the Chinese variant, and note that advertised Apple AirPlay support appears non-existent.

The Xiaomi Mi Smart Projector mini is an excellent, highly portable 1080p Full HD DLP projector that operates on Android TV 9.0 and includes official, built-in Netflix support. It stands out as an attractive option for modern users, especially students or those setting up a bedroom cinema, due to its compact design, crisp and high-contrast image quality, and surprisingly rich internal speaker audio. Users will find it incredibly easy to set up because the projector features an exceptional autofocus system and quick system boot times that take only about a minute. Additionally, it supports a dual-band 5GHz Wi-Fi connection, runs quietly with minimal fan noise, and includes a built-in Chromecast alongside a Google Assistant-enabled remote. However, the projector comes with several notable limitations, primarily its low brightness output. Because of its limited lumens, the machine cannot be used effectively in daylight and requires a completely darkened room to achieve clear visibility. It is also entirely unsuited for gaming because significant, noticeable input lag occurs when connecting external sources like a laptop via HDMI. Furthermore, the system lacks a physical LAN...

The Xgimi Mogo Pro and Xiaomi Mi Smart Compact Projector are both versatile, Full HD mini projectors released in early 2020 that operate on Android TV 9 and feature built-in Chromecast support. The Xiaomi Mi stands out as the superior choice for raw performance, delivering a brighter 500-lumen image, sharper visuals with a larger DMD chip, and vastly superior sound quality with deeper bass. It is also noticeably quieter during operation and includes official, native Netflix support for direct casting. However, its drawbacks include a tendency to drop out of focus roughly 15 minutes after a cold start—requiring manual recalibration via the menu—and initial audio stutter issues over HDMI, though software updates have mostly addressed the latter. In contrast, the Xgimi Mogo Pro is highly recommended if portability, flexible placement, and viewing in dark environments are your primary goals. Its core strengths lie in its built-in 10,400 mAh battery allowing 2 to 3 hours of wireless projection, 3D support, and a 40-degree horizontal keystone correction that allows for angled projection. It also handles 24Hz and 25Hz video slightly smoother with...