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Xiaomi has been making smart TVs for years, and the brand is widely credited with popularising the category thanks to its affordable Android-powered models. This year, the company has taken a notable step forward by bringing quantum dot technology to the budget segment with the new Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G32. If you’re looking for an affordable smart TV, here’s my experience with Xiaomi’s latest 32-inch Google TV–powered QLED offering.
For a budget smart TV, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G32 offers an impressive panel that outperforms many rivals in its segment. Xiaomi has used a VA LCD panel with a quantum dot layer, which makes visuals pop. The 60 Hz refresh rate is standard for TVs in this range and is adequate for casual gaming and streaming.
As expected from a VA panel, colours wash out at extreme viewing angles, but in real-world use, this rarely matters since most people sit facing the screen. Out of the box, the default colour profile appears washed out, but switching to the ‘Movie’ mode made a substantial difference as colours became richer, and the contrast improved noticeably.
The TV also stands out for its deep blacks, helping preserve details in darker scenes. There is minor backlight bleed, but it’s hardly an issue considering the price.
Where the panel does fall short is in resolution. The Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G32 offers a 1366×768 display, which is essentially 720p. While videos look perfectly fine from a comfortable distance, this resolution isn’t ideal if you plan to connect a PlayStation or Xbox.
The audio quality is on par with most budget smart TVs. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake/Indian Express)
Dolby Audio support is a plus
Audio is often a weak point in budget TVs, but the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G32 performs better than most. It supports Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, and DTS-HD, delivering clear dialogue and decent bass, which is good enough for a small room. However, once the volume crosses 80 per cent, you may notice some crackling or muffling. Still, it’s unlikely most users will ever push the TV that high.
Performance and software
The Smart QLED TV G32 runs Google TV, giving you access to apps via the Play Store. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, but as is typical for budget TVs, performance is average at best.
I frequently noticed a delay between pressing a button on the remote and the TV registering the input.
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With just 8GB of onboard storage, there’s limited room for apps. Loading apps can take anywhere from a few seconds to half a minute, and multitasking isn’t very smooth. However, if you typically switch between only one or two apps, it’s manageable.
Xiaomi also includes its PatchWall interface, but I preferred sticking to Google TV. While PatchWall offers curated recommendations across OTT platforms, Google’s interface feels cleaner and more refined.
Xiaomi has also included batteries with the remote. (Image Credit: Anurag Chawake/Indian Express)
Slim, feature-packed remote
The TV ships with a tall, lightweight remote with tactile buttons and good build quality. It includes dedicated shortcuts for popular OTT apps like Netflix, Prime Video, SonyLIV and YouTube, which is handy when navigating on a budget TV.
Good design for the price
Design-wise, Xiaomi seems to have borrowed cues from its premium lineup. The G32 has slim bezels and a minimalist look. The included stands feel a bit flimsy, so I’d recommend placing it on a wide, stable table or mounting it on a wall.
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The back has a plastic finish, which is expected at this price. For connectivity, you get two USB-A ports, AV input, Ethernet, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is plenty enough
Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G32: Should you buy it?
Priced at Rs 13,999, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G32 is one of the few options in its range to offer a QLED panel, Google TV interface, and Dolby Atmos support. Performance isn’t its strongest suit, but if you’re looking for an affordable secondary TV for your bedroom or living room, it’s an easy recommendation for the price.
