In Android TV land, much of the attention and anticipation currently surrounds the Xiaomi Mi Box. This is the next major Android TV device to be released and one which is largely expected to be a high-performing and competitively-priced product. In fact, while there is still some debate about the price of the Xiaomi Mi Box, the speculation is that it could (and should) be priced around the $100 marker at launch.
While the price has yet to be confirmed by Xiaomi, the actual availability of the Mi Box is another aspect which largely remains unknown. The Mi Box was originally introduced back at Google’s I/O event in May with no clear indication of when it will become available to buy. Although, it is understood that it will launch in the US initially before rolling out in other markets. The Mi Box was said to be launching with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Android 7.0 (Nougat) coming as an OTA update after release. Which has led to the assumption that the Mi Box will get a Q3 launch – before the arrival of Android Nougat.
Well, there are some indications now starting to surface on when the Mi Box might be available to buy. GeekBuying is a well-known Chinese online retailer and this week saw the retailer turn on its Xiaomi Mi Box product listing page. To cut to the chase, the most interesting part of the listing is that it does clearly state that the delivery time is September 30. Now while this cannot be considered firm confirmation, it does go some way in providing a very clear insight into when the device will likely be available to buy. As the Mi Box’s availability is not officially announced yet and with September approaching, it does stand to reason that early September will see the official pre-order availability announcement being made, followed by a few weeks of marketing before the eventual availability of the Mi Box goes live at the end of September. So while not outright confirmation, it does seem likely that September 30 is the date when the Mi Box will go on general sale.
On a last note and speaking of pre-orders, the same GeekBuying listing does list the pre-order price at $99.99. Interestingly, it does state that this is an advanced sale price with the normal price being about $125. Although, that is likely more of a marketing ploy than anything else. What is more important is that the $99 price is in line with what many are hoping the Mi Box will be priced at.