Compare: Xiaomi S Mini 2025 vs Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5)

Xiaomi, well-known as a giant in the smartphone market, has decided to compete for the attention of high-end tech enthusiasts by presenting a MiniLED backlit television. The S MiniLED 2025 model looks truly impressive on paper. An enormous number of dimming zones provides excellent contrast, and the brightness, reaching impressive levels, can impress both in high-quality HDR materials and in older SDR. The television performs exceptionally well where motion smoothness is key. The high refresh rate panel and low input lag make it a good choice not only for sports fans but also for gamers. Support for features like ALLM and GameBar further enhances the gaming experience. Google TV on this television works as it should – quickly, smoothly, without unnecessary stutters, which we couldn't say about the model A Pro 2025. Additionally, with such an extensive app library, it will satisfy even the most demanding user. However, not everything looks so good in practice. Despite solid hardware specifications, the television has its quirks. The biggest issue is the algorithms managing the dimming zones, which can be quite irritating when watching movies in the evening. The performance of individual zones is overly noticeable in dynamic scenes, which can effectively distract our attention from the image. Problems also arise in more demanding HDR scenes despite the truly impressive brightness. Small bright elements often lose brightness, which spoils the effect that high-quality imagery should provide. The system is also not without its shortcomings – features that enhance images in lower-quality materials work unevenly, and some options in Google TV are poorly translated or even untranslated. Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 has enormous potential, but in its current form, it seems underutilised. It is clear that Xiaomi wanted to do something really good, but a few significant shortcomings lead to a mixed final outcome. A device with high aspirations that needs better software to truly shine. It is an ideal television for brighter rooms, where high screen brightness plays a key role, and issues with local dimming become less noticeable. It will also perform excellently as a screen for gamers and for those who value the versatility and functionality of the Google TV system.

Sony Bravia 5 is the continuation of the iconic X90L model, and it's clear that the manufacturer aimed to take a step forward. A greater number of backlighting zones have been implemented, which makes the contrast seem better in many scenes, with deeper blacks than its predecessor. The 120 Hz panel and MotionFlow system allow you to tailor the fluidity of the image to your own preferences – from a slight cinematic texture to crystal smooth motion in sports and games. This is a device that is unafraid of any content, because regardless of whether we're watching a match, an action film, or a concert, the image maintains clarity and character. However, the true strength of the Bravia 5 remains its XR processor. It's what makes older materials look better than they should – upscaling works like magic here, smoothing out noise, improving gradation, and providing coherence even to content of lower quality. As a result, in everyday use, the Bravia 5 can surprise, because instead of battling with signal imperfections, it extracts the maximum from them. Additionally, there's excellent colour reproduction once calibrated, as well as dynamic tone mapping with Dolby Vision mode, allowing you to enjoy details even in challenging, high-contrast scenes. However, it cannot be hidden that at several moments, the Bravia 5 has let us down significantly. Despite the greater number of zones, brightness and contrast are not always better than in the X90L – sometimes they even perform worse. This raises a sense of wasted potential, as we were hoping for a greater qualitative leap. After all, we are talking about a true MINI-LED television here. Nevertheless, the Bravia 5 remains an excellent TV for those who want to enjoy quality image above all. If you're looking for a model that can impress with smooth motion, extracts details from difficult scenes, and works wonders with older materials, the Bravia 5 will easily meet these expectations. It's a television that sometimes cannot quite match the competition in certain respects, but still defends itself with what Sony does best – cinematic imagery.

Xiaomi S MiniLED is one of the most affordable televisions with MiniLED technology available on the market. The model we tested, sized at 55 inches, is equipped with as many as 308 local dimming zones, which is impressive for such a price. Additionally, it features a VA panel, which inherently offers significantly better contrast than IPS panels. On static test screens, the television performed excellently, achieving an impressive contrast ratio of 182,000:1 in the film Oblivion. Blacks were deep, and details in both bright and dark areas of the image were clearly separated. However, in more demanding scenes where the image is dynamic, the situation begins to complicate.

Where lies the problem? The main cause is the local dimming algorithms. Although on static images, their effects are promising, during movie playback – which reflects the television's natural working conditions – they operate too aggressively. In dynamic scenes, like those from the tested film, one can see how the individual dimming zones "work and flicker," which detracts from the viewer's sense of image coherence. This effect is particularly noticeable in motion, when bright objects move against a dark screen. As a result, although Xiaomi S MiniLED offers fantastic contrast on paper, in practice, the effect is less satisfying. The aggressive operation of the algorithms ruins the perception of dynamic scenes, making the television perform average in this category. This is a good example of how MiniLED technology requires not only a good specification but also adequate optimisation.

Bravia 5 is the entry-level TV in Sony's Mini-LED series for 2025, so naturally we start with the most important thing – how it performs with blacks and contrast. After all, the term "Mini-LED" today sounds almost like a magic spell. In theory, this means thousands of tiny diodes arranged in zones that are meant to work in harmony, dimming and brightening the image so that the viewer's eye perceives more depth than with a classic LCD. In practice, in the 65-inch Bravia 5, we counted around 200 backlight zones. Is that a lot? Definitely more than its predecessor, the legendary X90L model, but when you look at Chinese manufacturers who can pack in hundreds, sometimes even thousands of zones – it comes off as rather modest.

One might expect that combining a greater number of zones with the refined dimming algorithms that Sony has accustomed us to over the years would result in a qualitative leap compared to the X90L. Meanwhile – and this is where a slight disappointment arises – tests showed that the results are surprisingly similar to last year's model. Don't take this the wrong way: the contrast, for an LCD TV with local dimming, is really solid. In most scenes, bright elements are separated from dark ones with surgical precision, and the effect can be breathtaking. But when more demanding shots appear on screen – those that mercilessly test the capabilities of the backlight – it becomes clear that the hardware has its limitations.

Therefore, one could say that in terms of blacks and contrast, the Bravia 5 doesn't so much disappoint as rather fails to meet the hopes that the initial announcements ignited. We were hoping for at least a slightly better performance than its predecessor, and we got "only" good contrast. And that “only” is the key word here – because good contrast in Sony’s rendition still means a level that most competitors would be proud of.

Since Xiaomi S MiniLED boasts an impressive 308 zones of dimming, it's time to see how it performs in HDR tests. Starting with luminance, or the ability to display bright scenes, the television achieved nearly 1000 nits of brightness – a result that can be considered outstanding in this class. But do these numbers translate to real-life experiences in film scenes? In the case of less demanding shots, such as those from the film The Meg, the television indeed delivered excellent results, reaching up to 900 nits. Such values are impressive and can truly convey the strength of HDR effects.

Unfortunately, just like with contrast, there were some issues. When smaller, brighter elements appear on the screen – as in challenging scenes from Sicario 2 – the aggressive action of the dimming zones ruins the entire effect. Brightness in these moments drops to just 100 nits. That is definitely too little to convey the full magic of HDR. Instead of a dynamic and detailed image, the viewer gets a muted, almost flat impression, which takes away all the enjoyment of the viewing experience.

In summary, if we're looking for a television with high brightness for watching movies during the day, the Xiaomi S MiniLED will easily fulfill that task. However, its inability to precisely manage the dimming zones makes watching movies in the evening, especially during demanding HDR scenes, potentially more frustrating than satisfying.

Looking at similar results in terms of black levels and contrast, we expected the same stable performance as last year's model when it comes to HDR content. Unfortunately – and this must be said plainly – there has been a regression here that is hard to miss. The paradox is that the peak brightness of the Bravia 5 can be impressive: in our synthetic tests, the TV reached around 1000 nits in HDR. Sounds great, right? The problem is that this power doesn't always have a real impact on all movie scenes. When small, pinpoint elements appear on the screen, something that in Sony's case was usually fine-tuned with surgical precision, this time it clearly falters. The algorithms try to maintain deep blacks around small objects, but the side effect is that details can be dimmed to the point of becoming barely visible. One only needs to bring up the example of the movie Sicario 2 – there, in some scenes, small light sources practically vanished as if someone had covered them with dark film.

Of course, not everything looks so dramatic. In simpler, brighter scenes, where the image is filled with more light, the Bravia 5 shows that it can shine: literally and figuratively. At those times, the TV achieves values in the range of 600–800 nits, which we saw both in synthetic tests and during movie screenings. The impression is really positive; the brightness adds dynamism, and the colours look vibrant and fresh. However, there remains a certain dissonance. We feel a slight confusion because it is evident that something has gone in the wrong direction. Technological progress – more zones, more backlight power – has not been supported by the kind of refined image management that we usually associate with Sony. Fortunately, there are elements that have not been compromised and are actually at a very high level. We are talking about colour reproduction. Thanks to the use of the PFS filter, the colour palette coverage is excellent – about 97% DCI-P3 and 75% BT.2020. These values allow for a truly wide colour reproduction, giving films a natural and cinematic character.

Xiaomi, like many manufacturers, offers a wide range of picture modes. On the S MiniLED, we can find both IMAX Enhanced and Filmmaker. Our tests were conducted in Filmmaker mode, which theoretically aims to reference the image, but the reality turned out to be somewhat different.

Let’s start with the SDR material tests. Here the TV had quite a few problems, especially with white balance. The noticeable dominance of red made the image appear too warm, and all colours gained a reddish hue. This was particularly evident in the comparative scene from the film Star Wars. The brightness characteristic (gamma) also left much to be desired – instead of a smooth transition, we had a real "rollercoaster," with visible excessive brightening of the screen.

In 4K materials, the situation looked considerably better. The white balance, though still not perfect, was much more balanced, with a slight dominance of red and blue, but no excessive impact on the overall perception. The EOTF curve (responsible for brightness in HDR) showed some brightening in the brightest parts of the image, which was noticeable in the test scene from the film Pan that we described above. These brightening effects may disturb the precision of the image, but in 4K, the overall effect was far more acceptable than in SDR.

Although Xiaomi S MiniLED can pleasantly surprise in 4K materials, its factory settings in SDR require significant corrections, especially regarding white balance and brightness. It's definitely a TV that would benefit from calibration.

Sony Bravia 5 was obviously tested in the best possible mode, which is the Movie mode. Right out of the box, it delivers the most natural colours, definitely better than anything offered by the "eco" or "dynamic" modes, which are more suited for a store display than a living room. However, the Movie mode alone does not guarantee that we can always expect cinematic picture quality. In SDR content, we had no significant complaints – the slightly warmed white balance gave the scenes a golden hue, but it was nothing that was glaring. However, a problem arose with HDR materials. Here, the colour reproduction simply looked bad. The white balance was heavily skewed – with an excess of blue and a clear lack of red. At times, it resembled the store mode of "super vivid picture," where everything is blown out and artificially boosted.

This situation made brightness management seem too aggressive as well. The EOTF graph clearly showed that the television has trouble with overexposing many scenes right out of the box. And while we know what Sony televisions are usually capable of, it was hard to remain indifferent here – that’s why we quickly decided to go for calibration.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that gains a whole new life after calibration. The results are truly impressive and show how much potential this model has.

In SDR mode, the white balance is almost perfectly aligned. The errors are so minimal that in many cases they can be considered negligible. This is confirmed by the Colour Checker palette results, where errors did not exceed 2 ΔE – a truly rare outcome. Gamma also performs very well, although there are slight brightening effects in the darkest elements at the beginning of the graph. However, this is a minor exception that does not significantly affect the viewing experience.

In 4K HDR material, calibration also brought visible improvements, particularly in white balance. The image looks natural and consistent. However, the characteristic of brightness remains an issue. EOTF analysis in film materials shows that the television tends to overly brighten or darken the smallest elements on the screen. This is the effect of limitations in the dimming algorithms that we previously discussed regarding HDR and contrast testing. Unfortunately, this is a technical feature of this model that cannot be completely eliminated.

Despite this minor flaw, calibration has allowed us to extract the maximum capabilities from this television. The image now looks phenomenal, and its quality impresses in every type of material. Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 demonstrates that with the right settings, it can compete with more expensive models.

After calibration, the situation changed dramatically. We managed to tune the white balance so that entire scenes began to look more natural, and the image gained coherence and elegance. In HDR, we finally got rid of that unwanted clipping effect that had previously spoiled some shots. Suddenly, it turned out that the Bravia 5 can extract much more from films than the first contact "straight out of the box" suggested. Indeed, if we look at the graphs and compare them with the standards, we can see that the beginning of the EOTF curve slightly strays beyond the reference line. However, this is not so much a calibration error as it is a natural limitation of the Mini-LED technology that cannot be bypassed. Sony, rather than clinging tightly to perfect black, prefers to prioritise the visibility of details – and in practice, it’s hard to disagree with that. We prefer to see the texture of the material on the screen rather than a pitch-black spot where all nuances disappear.

The calibration itself was really beneficial. After about an hour spent on settings, we felt that the image resembled that of the best cinema halls – of course on a home scale, but with the same sense of quality and refinement. And in such moments, we remember why we love Sony televisions: because once we fine-tune them, they reward us with a picture that captivates for long hours.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 looks very good. Even in the theoretically most challenging scene with red water, the television performs excellently – we did not notice any major issues. Minor imperfections occur in scenes like Kingsman or The Martian, where you can see subtle colour blending. Nevertheless, Xiaomi stands out in this category, offering one of the best qualities of tonal transitions in its price range. This is definitely a strong point of this television.

Tonality transitions are nothing more than the way a television handles blending colours and shades – from light to dark, from saturated to pastel. If the device struggles with this, you see characteristic "stairs" instead of smooth transitions, and the image loses its naturalness. It's those moments when instead of getting immersed in the film, we start glancing at the screen thinking, "hey, something's off here." Fortunately, in the Sony Bravia 5, such situations are practically non-existent. This is a huge advantage because nothing distracts our attention from the plot or the excitement of sports. The television performs best in bright scenes, where the colour transitions are smooth, and the blending of colours is nearly invisible. The effect is so good that sometimes it can feel like the image was painted in one brush stroke. Of course, there have been a few minor missteps. In darker scenes, certain imperfections can be noticed – slight banding or minimal gradation issues. For that reason, the Bravia 5 received a few negative points from us. Nevertheless, in the vast majority of situations, the television performs excellently and comes through this test with flying colours.

When it comes to tonal transitions in lower-quality materials, such as YouTube or television, the Xiaomi S MiniLED comes with a feature called “Colour Contour Removal.” In the "low" setting, it works quite well, but its effectiveness can be uneven. Sometimes it appears as if the TV struggles to smooth things out, which creates a bit of dissonance. On the plus side, we didn’t notice any visible side effects, although given the instability of this feature, one might suspect that unexpected issues could arise in certain situations.

Image scaling also comes across as average. There’s slight jaggedness, especially on thin elements like branches, and text can be a bit ragged. It may not be overly bothersome, but a more discerning eye will certainly catch these imperfections. Overall, most users should be satisfied with the scaling and smoothing quality, but the TV may not satisfy those who expect perfection in every frame.

Bravia 5 carries the genes of Sony, which remain intact – and thank goodness for that, because we're talking about absolutely exceptional digital image processing. It's no coincidence that for years, it's been considered that TVs from this brand set the standard for how a screen should handle lower quality materials. If someone still watches classic television, old films, or YouTube in lower resolutions, here they get equipment that can turn such content into a surprisingly enjoyable experience. On board, we find several tools worth activating. The first of these is "digital noise reduction." Set to a medium level, it works superbly – smoothing out tonal transitions that usually cause the most trouble in low-quality materials while introducing no artificial artifacts. Importantly, it also doesn't remove the cinematic character, which is the natural grain that is intentionally present in many productions. Another advantage of the Bravia 5 is the upscaling capabilities of the XR processor. The image presented after scaling is soft, yet sharp and clear. The outlines of characters are well-defined, and backgrounds maintain their texture without excessive artificial sharpening. It's hard to find a better TV for watching lower quality materials – Bravia 5 only confirms why Sony is considered the benchmark in this area.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is equipped with a 4K@120Hz (1080p@240Hz) refresh rate panel, providing sufficient smoothness for both watching dynamic sports broadcasts and playing the latest games. This level of refresh rate makes the image look fluid, even in the most intense scenes. Additionally, the television offers a "Motion Smoothing" feature that allows users to adjust the way the image is displayed in films. We can choose a more choppy effect, typical for cinematic experiences, or a smoother one, resembling the so-called "theatrical effect". As a result, every user can tailor the settings to their preferences and enjoy smooth images in their favourite content.

Bravia 5 has a 120 Hz panel, which in itself sounds like an invitation to watch sports, fast matches or spectacular action films. However, the real magic begins when MotionFlow – Sony's proprietary motion smoother – comes into play. Thanks to this feature, we can adjust the character of the picture to our own preferences. The "smoothness" slider allows us to transition from a cinematic feel with a slight "judder" to a theatrical fluidity, where every ball in the match glides across the screen as if on a string. The higher the value, the smoother and more fluid it is; the lower it is, the more film-like and natural it becomes. In the options, we also find an additional setting that Sony calls "clarity". This is nothing more than the BFI function (which inserts black frames) aimed at improving motion sharpness. It sounds great in theory, but in practice, it must be used with caution. Why? Because all higher settings cause brightness drops of up to half, and in some cases, contour doubling also appears. So if we want to use it, we recommend setting it to the lowest level – "1" out of the available ten. That way, we gain a bit better motion sharpness without risking losing half the brightness of the picture.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that has a lot to offer gamers. With two HDMI ports boasting 48 Gbps bandwidth, we can easily connect modern consoles or PCs, utilising their full potential. Additionally, the ALLM feature automatically switches the TV to low latency mode – something we appreciate during fast-paced gaming without annoying lags. No matter what we connect, it runs smoothly, and the TV handles various resolutions exceptionally well. There’s also the GameBar, which may not look as flashy as the "bars" on competing models, but makes up for it in practicality. It’s a straightforward settings panel that allows us to quickly change the most important options or check stats – a perfect solution when time is of the essence.

However, we must admit that navigating the TV itself – or rather, finding gaming features – was quite a challenge for us. We approached the Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 test several times to locate all the necessary options. The hidden menu allowed us to discover the "GameBoost" feature, which enables switching the TV to 240 Hz mode, activating VRR, and allows for enabling the image in HGIG mode.

In summary, the Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a TV that definitely deserves praise in the gaming equipment category. Its rich set of features – 240 Hz mode, VRR, HGIG, and "GameBoost" – provides an exceptional gaming experience. Unfortunately, the intuitiveness of the menu itself leaves much to be desired and can pose some challenges for the average user.

In the Bravia 5, there is a significant improvement compared to the X90L model from two years ago. The television offers literally everything its predecessor had, but this time the issues that could frustrate gamers have been addressed. Problems with setting the variable refresh rate (VRR) have disappeared, and there are no longer issues with configuring HDR content in HGiG mode. In short: we get a device that simply works as it should, without any hassles. So, the Bravia 5 has everything you can expect from a modern gaming TV – and it can be confidently advertised with the slogan "ready for PS5." That's something we couldn't say about the X90L model. Well done, Sony!

It's just a shame that this relatively high-priced model lacks a full set of four HDMI 2.1 ports. In everyday use, this won’t be an issue for most people, but if someone has a console, soundbar, and additional equipment connected via HDMI, at some point they'll have to choose or juggle cables.

Input lag in Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is one of its biggest advantages. 8 ms for 120 Hz content and 17 ms for 60 Hz are simply outstanding results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers. Moreover, the Dolby Vision mode in games deserves praise. Unlike many competing models, Xiaomi maintains a low input lag even in this mode, making it an excellent choice for lovers of high-quality HDR gaming experiences.

When it comes to input lag, the Bravia 5 deserves a round of applause. Results of around 7 ms at 120 Hz content are nothing short of phenomenal – it's hard to imagine a gamer complaining about such responsiveness. Even at 60 Hz, where the lag increases to around 15 ms, we're still talking about values that absolutely don't spoil the fun and are practically unnoticeable. Moreover, Sony has finally tamed the Dolby Vision mode. In the X90L, it was practically unplayable – the delays rose to levels of even 150 ms. Meanwhile, the input lag on the Bravia 5 remains at the same low level as with other content. This is a huge improvement and further proof that this television can truly be called "gamer-friendly."

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a good choice if you need a TV for computer work. The fonts are very clear thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support, making it ideal for office work or browsing documents. It also performs excellently in gaming – high refresh rates, G-SYNC, and low input lag ensure smooth gameplay, which will satisfy most gamers.

In this category, the Bravia 5 deserves an exemplary rating. The ideal readability of fonts thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support makes working on this TV a pure pleasure. Whether we are opening Excel, browsing documents, or simply surfing the web – the text is sharp, clear, and free from that characteristic “haze” which can effectively take away the joy of use in many TVs. The letters look as they should: distinct, sharp, and readable even up close.

We also have good news for PC gamers. The Bravia 5 has no problems at all with handling 120 Hz, working with both Nvidia and AMD cards, supporting G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro technologies. The result is that the image is not only smooth but also free from tears or micro-cuts that can ruin the experience even in the best-optimised games. You can easily connect a powerful PC and enjoy gaming on the big screen – without compromises, without frustration, and with full comfort. The only thing we could complain about is the lack of additional modes for gamers with higher refresh rates.

In terms of viewing angles, Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is not impressive. This is a typical problem with VA panels, which struggle without additional coatings to widen viewing angles. The image begins to lose quality when watching the TV from the side – colours fade, and contrast significantly drops. However, the advantage of VA panels is their much better contrast compared to IPS panels, which in turn win when it comes to wider viewing angles. This is a classic compromise where one has to choose between better blacks and a more universal image seen from different spots in the room.

Bravia 5 uses a classic VA panel, and that means one thing – the viewing angles are not one of its strong points. For those with smaller screen sizes, this won’t be a problem, as sitting directly in front, the picture looks fantastic. However, with larger sizes, especially 85 inches, the situation becomes less comfortable. It’s enough to sit slightly off-centre on the couch to notice minor imperfections: the image begins to lose saturation, contrast weakens, and black takes on unwanted greys. It’s a shame that Sony did not opt for additional coatings, which in the case of VA panels can bring their capabilities closer to IPS levels. Such solutions exist, and some competitors make use of them. Here, they are missing, so one has to reckon with the fact that Bravia 5 best showcases its strengths when viewed head-on.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is equipped with a satin finish on the display, which moderately handles glare reduction. On the screen's surface, you can see light reflections, which may be somewhat distracting in bright rooms. However, the key element that saves this television in daytime use is its brightness. With a value of 841 cd/m², the screen performs flawlessly even in very sunlit interiors. This is more than enough to comfortably watch television, movies, or sporting events. Importantly, the television also handles more demanding content, such as winter sports, where the dominant white can pose a significant challenge for other televisions. Here, Xiaomi definitely excels.

Bravia 5 is a piece of equipment that really performs well in challenging lighting conditions. Its high brightness ensures that even in the middle of the day, with the blinds wide open and sunlight streaming through the windows, the picture remains clear and sharp. There’s no feeling that we're watching a "washed-out" screen. The satin finish of the panel also plays a significant role in effectively reducing light reflections. Yes, some reflections do appear, but they are not strong enough to interfere with viewing. They are more like subtle glows that can be noticed when we consciously look for them, rather than a real problem day-to-day. Because of this, the Bravia 5 works well not just in the evening in a dimmed room, but also in bright living areas, where other TVs can falter. One could say that it's a "universally bright" model – suitable for both evening screenings and for watching news or sports in full sunlight.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that stands out thanks to the Google TV system. It offers access to the most popular streaming services, music apps, and various useful features that significantly enhance everyday use of the TV. For those who enjoy personalisation, the system also provides plenty of configuration options.

The built-in voice assistant operates smoothly – we can not only control the TV but also ask for the weather forecast or set a reminder for the next day. Unfortunately, we noticed during testing that some functions have trouble translating into Polish, which can be annoying, especially for those less proficient in navigating the settings. Despite this, the overall impression is very good, and minor shortcomings can be improved in updates.

The device handles connectivity well. Wireless connections with Windows computers or Apple devices run smoothly, and thanks to Bluetooth, we can easily connect headphones, keyboards, or other accessories. The remote is simple and convenient – it works from any position, so aiming at the screen is not necessary. However, there are some shortcomings. If someone frequently uses traditional television, they might miss the recording functions from tuners or the PiP (picture in picture) option. This somewhat limits the possibilities, but for those focusing on streaming and modern features, it won’t be a major issue.

Xiaomi compensates for these shortcomings with an excellent operating system. Google TV is one of the most advanced and intuitive systems available on the market, which makes the television perform really well in daily use.

GoogleTV and SmartTV features

Sony Bravia 5 runs on Google TV, and it must be said that this is one of the best-optimised systems in this brand's offering. The interface works smoothly, with no annoying bugs or bizarre translations, and navigating the menu doesn’t feel like walking through a minefield. Admittedly, there are moments when the whole system catches a slight breath – as if it has its “weaker moments” – but these are rare enough not to spoil the overall impression. We have full AirPlay support, voice search with Google AI assistance, and the ability to download practically any app that comes to mind. The only drawback in tests turned out to be the screen mirroring function, which theoretically should work with laptops and phones, but in practice proved almost useless – there was no stable image on Windows and Android.

User features

From the perspective of classic functionality, the Bravia 5 performs solidly and practically. A big plus is the presence of two remotes – one is a slim, modern smart remote, while the other, although operating via infrared, has a classic numeric keypad. This way, we can always choose which one suits the situation better. The EPG, or electronic programme guide, is clear and allows you to programme recordings to a USB drive – a seemingly simple solution, but incredibly useful. Additionally, the TV supports connecting a variety of devices: from an amplifier or soundbar via HDMI eARC, to headphones and other wireless accessories via Bluetooth. This is a set that makes the TV not just a screen, but a well-thought-out home entertainment centre.

The basic file player in Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 performs its task for simple video materials. However, a noticeable drawback is the lack of support for Polish characters, which can be problematic for individuals using subtitles.

Fortunately, the presence of the Google TV system provides a way to easily work around this limitation. It allows for the installation of alternative file playback applications that handle Polish characters and offer significantly more advanced options. As a result, the limitations of the built-in player are not as burdensome as they may seem.

Bravia 5 handles multimedia playback from USB quite efficiently. In practice, nearly everything works – movies, music, photos – although of course we encountered some minor issues. Some subtitles can be troublesome, as can exotic photo formats, which were not always correctly recognised. However, this is standard in the world of televisions, and it's hard to take it too seriously. A significant advantage, though, is that thanks to Android, we are not limited to the system player. It's enough to install an external app, like VLC, and all restrictions disappear. This is the strength of this system – the manufacturer does not confine us to their ecosystem, but rather gives us the freedom of choice.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 sounds really pleasant, and even offers a light bass, reminiscent of the sound known from the lower model, the A Pro 2025. The sound is well balanced, making watching movies or listening to music comfortable, even without additional audio equipment. Interestingly, the television seamlessly supports audio formats like Dolby Atmos and the less common DTS:X. This allows you to connect a home theatre system or soundbar and enjoy spatial sound without any difficulties. A nice addition is also the presence of a standard speaker jack connection.

Bravia 5 positively surprises in terms of audio. The sound is pleasant, with a slightly noticeable bass thanks to the proprietary Bass Reflex speakers. Overall, it plays loudly, clearly, and definitely above average for a television – 40 W power in a 2.2 setup is an impressive result in this class. The placement of the speakers on the sides of the casing also plays a significant role, as it allows the sound to fill the room and creates a sense of space. However, one should not get carried away with optimism. This is still not the level of even the simplest soundbar. The Bravia 5 performs excellently in everyday use, but for those who enjoy strong sound and a cinematic effect, additional audio equipment will be a must – as is the case with nine out of ten televisions available today on the market.

Xiaomi S Mini 2025 vs Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5)

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

Daytime performance

Panel details

TV features

Classic features:

Smart features:

GoogleTV and SmartTV features

User features

Apps

Playing files from USB

Sound

Acoustic Measurements