The crowded 32-inch TV segment proves there’s still strong demand for compact televisions, even as 50- and 55-inch models have become the new standard. Xiaomi aims to meet this demand with its Smart QLED TV G 32-inch. The TV brings the richness of the QLED display technology, paired with the Google TV platform, at a budget-friendly price. But is that enough to make the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch a worthwhile investment? We put it to the test. Continue reading to find out how it performs.
Table of Contents
Clean design, slim bezels
The Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch follows the design elements of the more expensive Xiaomi FX series, but with some corners cut. The TV features a plastic build, including the tabletop stand provided in the box. While the TV does support wall mounting, the necessary hardware isn’t included and must be purchased separately. That said, Xiaomi has done well to ensure that the G 32-inch QLED TV doesn’t look overtly budget at first glance. The TV boasts slim bezels on three sides, with a slightly thicker chin that features a glossy grey finish and the Xiaomi logo subtly etched at the centre.
The rear of the TV maintains a clean aesthetic, marked by a triangular texture and a central rectangular housing that contains the circuitry, certifications, power rating (a 2-star label with an estimated annual consumption of 54.6 units), and connectivity ports. The housing also includes ventilation cut-outs for heat dissipation, and the edges are chamfered for a more refined look. On either side of this central box are 10W bottom-firing speakers, supported by Dolby Atmos.
Functional remote, smart connectivity
The remote feels relatively large for a 32-inch TV. The Xiaomi G 32-inch QLED TV comes with a Bluetooth-enabled remote that includes a numeric keypad and dedicated hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Sony Liv, Live TV, and more. Interestingly, the Hotstar button still bears Disney+ branding, which ideally should be updated to Jio.
Despite its size, the remote has a sleek design with curved edges, making it comfortable to hold. The volume buttons are conveniently placed at the bottom, and there’s a dedicated mute button. However, the remote also allows users to mute the TV by double-pressing the volume key, a feature that might not feel intuitive, since our brain is not accustomed to it. In fact, there’s a bit of a learning curve when trying to lower the volume gradually, as it’s easy to accidentally mute the TV instead, something I found out the hard way.
There are navigational buttons in the middle, and just below them are back, home, and Xiaomi TV+ home buttons. The remote uses AAA batteries; a pair is provided in the box, and it works seamlessly even from a distance. Moreover, since it is Bluetooth-enabled, the remote works even with slight obstruction in the line of sight. The small R, G, Y, and B buttons can be used for specific functions within apps or the menu on the TV.
As for connectivity, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch boasts dual-band Wi-Fi, which is capable of connecting to both high-speed 5GHz and long-range 2.4GHz bands. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly pair with headphones, speakers, and other audio accessories. Coming to ports, you have 2x HDMI, 2x USB 2.0, AV, Ethernet, Earphone, and 2x Antenna. There is no optical port to connect soundbars or home theatres, but that’s excusable given the price of the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch.
Budget performance, dual interface
The Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch’s performance has mostly been fine. The TV is powered by a quad-core A53 SoC, paired with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage onboard, of which roughly 4GB is occupied by the system out of the box. This should be fine since the majority of the popular OTT streaming apps are already installed on the device. Even after filling the app’s storage with login credentials and history, you should still be left with space to download additional apps, such as games.
The Xiaomi Smart QLED TV (32-inch) runs on Google TV, but also comes preloaded with Xiaomi’s own PatchWall interface. This gives users the flexibility to opt for their preferred interface. PatchWall prioritises personalised recommendations and content discovery from various OTT platforms and Live TV, making it ideal for users who consume a broad mix of content. PatchWall also features curated lists such as ‘Most-Watched Show This Week’ and ‘Popular Movies’, which can be helpful for users who like to explore new shows or films without having to jump between apps. While the interface is generally responsive, the user interface could benefit from refinement, including less visual clutter and improved spacing between content cards for a cleaner, more intuitive browsing experience.
In that regard, the Google TV does a better job. The interface looks modern, cleaner, and streamlined. It also integrates content not only from various apps but also from devices synced to the same Google account. This makes it convenient for users to resume content, manage watchlists, and receive personalised recommendations based on viewing habits across their smartphone, tablet, or other Google TV-enabled devices.
Similar to PatchWall, Google TV also offers curated lists. Notably, it is the default interface on the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch each time the television is powered on. My only qualms with Google TV are its occasional app crashes, minor stutters while scrolling, and delays when switching between apps.
Moving on, both interfaces include Google Assistant for voice commands, a Kids Mode with parental controls, Google Cast and Miracast for wireless screen mirroring, and access to free live TV channels via Xiaomi TV+. Users also have the option to customise picture settings, contrast ratio, audio quality, and more. What’s also impressive is the quick boot time of the TV.
Vibrant visuals, average audio
Coming to the heart of the matter, the Xiaomi G 32-inch features a QLED panel, which uses quantum dot technology to deliver a brighter and more colour-accurate picture compared to standard LED panels. Be that as it may, Xiaomi could have done better with resolution. The TV offers HD (1,366 x 768p) resolution, which looks fine on a 32-inch display. However, the 32-inch TCL QLED TV delivers FHD (1,920 x 1,080p) resolution in a similar price range.
Whether the TCL TV offers better visuals or not is something we will reserve until we review the device. For now, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch is fine for casual viewing. It is best enjoyed from close proximity, with consistent colours that appear punchy and vibrant even from off-angles, thanks to the panel’s 178-degree viewing angles. The TV supports HDR playback from Netflix and other streaming platforms. I streamed The Dark Knight Rises, which has plenty of dark scenes and a few bright ones, and the TV handled them reasonably well, maintaining good highlights without turning blacks overtly grey.
The QLED panel supports 90 percent DCI-P3 for wide colour gamut. However, the colours appear more accurate in the ‘Movie’ mode with the ‘Warm’ colour temperature, instead of the default Standard. Moreover, the TV offers Xiaomi’s proprietary Vivid Picture Engine 2.0, which enhances not just colour tones but also sharpness, contrast, and dynamic range. That said, there is a slight bluish tint that persists, even after adjusting and switching to different picture modes or adjusting settings at a granular level while keeping the clarity intact.
One can get rid of the blue effect by enabling Eye Comfort from the settings menu. But, doing so, makes everything yellow, which may be easier on the eyes for prolonged viewing in dimly lit environments, but comes at the cost of colour accuracy and vibrancy. Moving on, the TV offers a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard for this segment and sufficient for casual gaming. While not designed for high-frame-rate console gaming, it handles everyday use and video playback smoothly.
The 20W speakers on the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch are average at best. They’re adequate for filling a small room without needing to crank up the volume to maximum. However, the audio tends to sound flat out of the box unless you tweak the DTS Virtual:X settings. Within the menu, you can boost the bass to add a noticeable thump by enhancing low-frequency sounds and improve dialogue clarity, which otherwise comes across as slightly muffled. There’s also an option to toggle DTS Surround Virtualiser, but it’s best left off unless you prefer an echo-like effect that can distort the overall audio experience.
For those who want to fine-tune the audio experience, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch offers custom EQ settings that allow you to adjust different frequency bands to your liking, provided DTS Virtual:X is turned off. Additionally, the TV features a DAC-4 Dialogue Enhancer, which, as the name suggests, boosts vocal clarity, making it clear and easy to follow when background music or sound effects are overpowering. That said, no matter how much you tweak the settings, there’s a persistent muffled quality to the sound, noticeable even at around 30 percent volume, which can detract from the overall listening experience.
Verdict
For its asking price of Rs 13,999, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch is offering quality visuals in a space-saving form. Its QLED display with HDR10 support adds a premium touch, with punchy and vibrant colours, with near-accurate tones that remain consistent even when viewed from an angle. That said, the HD resolution makes the overall experience passable for casual, close-range viewing. The TV could have done better with FHD resolution.
While that remains a missed opportunity, Xiaomi has done well in offering users flexibility with dual Google TV and PatchWall interfaces. Though occasional stutters are noticeable, both UIs remain user-friendly and intuitive. The TV also boasts smart features such as screen mirroring, voice assistant, and Kids Mode to enhance usability. As for the audio performance, it remains serviceable in small or enclosed spaces after a few adjustments.
So, if you’re looking for a compact smart TV that fits neatly into a small apartment or serves well as a reliable secondary screen for the bedroom or kitchen, the Xiaomi Smart QLED TV G 32-inch strikes a decent balance between price, features, and performance.
Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Pros
- Compact, clean design
- Vibrant QLED display
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Resolution could have been better
- Average sound quality
