Xiaomi’s OG Android TV-powered media streaming box, the Mi Box 3, is currently receiving its Android 9 Pie update.
The update, which is now rolling out to everyone, has been under testing for the last few weeks.
The update clocks in at 650 megabytes. It arrives with the July 2020 security patch updates as well.
Other than the pre-installation of the Amazon Prime Video app and a few additions to the settings app, there is not much in the way of visual changes. Many of the changes and enhancements are under the hood.
Also, now, long-pressing the power button results in a new option: take a screenshot or restart. Nice!
From my little observation from the few hours of using my Mi Box 3 with the update installed, the performance remains pretty much the same.
The Mi Box 3’s update comes nearly 9 months since its successor, the Mi Box S, got an upgrade.
For users of the Mi Box 3, however, there shouldn’t be much to complain about given that the device has enjoyed at least 2 major Android operating system upgrades during its existence, the most that is guaranteed by most Android device makers and almost a rarity in the TV console space (only Nvidia and the Shield top that).
For those always looking for the latest Android TV experience, there is Android 10 and, recently, Android 11, to aspire to.