Roku Streaming Stick (2025) vs Roku XD (2050)
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| RokuStreaming Stick (2025) | RokuXD (2050) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | June 2025 | September 2010 |
| Video and audio | ||
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p |
| HDR | None | None |
| Video | Up to 1080p (1920 × 1080) with up-scaling from 720p | 1080p through HDMI; standard-definition composite output. AnandTech reports 1080p24 and 1080p30, without 1080p60 |
| Audio | Digital stereo over HDMI; DTS Digital Surround and Dolby-encoded audio pass-through over HDMI (Roku doesn't list Dolby Atmos) | Analogue stereo through RCA; HDMI supports 5.1 surround sound where available according to the original maker guide |
| Performance | ||
| Software | Roku OS | Roku OS |
| Chip details | Arm Cortex-A55 | MIPS at 400 MHz in Roku's Pico/2050X developer row; NXP PNX8935 identified in AnandTech's exact XD teardown |
| Memory | 512 MB | 256 MB in Roku's exact 2050X/2050N developer row |
| Software and services | – | Roku lists OS 3.1 as the last compatible version for 2050X and 2050N. Service support depends on region and software; this is the original XD rather than the later Roku 2 XD |
| Connections | ||
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 |
| Ethernet | No | Yes |
| Voice remote | Yes | No |
| Ports | Built-in HDMI; USB-C for power | HDMI, Ethernet, composite video, left/right RCA analogue audio and power; no component video, optical audio or USB media port |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) | Extended-range wireless-N; 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n verified in the exact-model reviews, without the XDS model's dual-band radio |
| Smart home | Works with Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, Google Home and Alexa | – |
| Remote | Voice remote with TV power, volume and mute buttons; two pre-installed AAA batteries | Original infrared remote with Back, Options and Instant Replay, which replays the last seven seconds; no microphone or headphone socket |
| Design | ||
| Type | Stick | Box |
| Power | 5 V, 1 A; about 2.2 W typical when streaming | – |
| Size | 3.7 × 0.80 × 0.45 in; 26.0 g | – |
| In the box | Roku Streaming Stick, voice remote, two AAA batteries, USB-C to USB-A power cable | Player, infrared remote, two AAA batteries, power adaptor, RCA video/stereo cable, Getting Started Guide and Important Product Information; HDMI and Ethernet cables sold separately |
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