The Google TV Streamer 4K is the most powerful Google streaming device to date. It supports 4K HDR video, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, has a 22% faster processor and offers a high-quality viewing experience.
But, this is not a groundbreaking streaming device. While it includes some standout features like a customisable button on the remote and seamless Google Home integration, it doesn’t break new ground in the market. Instead, it feels like Google is playing catch-up to better streaming devices.
With that said, if you’re already invested into the Google ecosystem, there are features here that are worth investing in. Google’s Gemini AI recommendations work well, the find my remote functionality is a nice touch and the Google Home integration is excellent.
Design
The dock is exactly what you’d expect, it’s white and won’t look out of place under a TV. The most notable new features are the ethernet port for faster connection and the small button that allows you to play a sound through your remote in case you’ve lost it. There’s also an HDMI port on the back and a USB-C port for power.
The remote has been redesigned, it has all the buttons you’d expect it to have, and it feels a lot like older Chromecast remotes. Other than the ability to use your voice for inputs and the customisable ‘star’ button in the bottom right, there isn’t a lot to write home about here.
The customisable star is a nice addition and it's easy to set up. I used it to access Amazon Prime and even tried it with Google Home and it worked flawlessly.
The voice controls work as expected. This is something Amazon and others have had with their streaming devices for some time now, so while I very much appreciated it here, it wasn’t exactly groundbreaking.
The remote will also now play a tune through a tiny speaker if you lose it. You can turn this on using the Google Home app, or you can press the button on the back of the dock. Although it seems basic, this is a great feature and is something other companies should look at introducing.
Functionality
One of the marquee features of Google’s Streamer 4K is its inclusion of 800 free channels, the problem is we don’t get any of these in New Zealand, that’s limited to US-based customers. We do get everything you’d expect from a TV streamer though like TVNZ+, ThreeNow, Netflix, Amazon Prime and so on. It’s very easy to stream content from your phone or laptop to the device as well, just tap the cast button and you’re away.
I’m a big fan of how Google uses its Gemini AI here. It will provide you with recommendations based on what you’ve watched previously, and it goes a step further and does this across streaming services. This means you will get recommendations for shows on Amazon Prime based on what you watched on Netflix or TVNZ+ and so on. It works well and the recommendations sit on the homepage so you don’t need to open multiple streaming services to find something to watch, it's great.
A new feature introduced with the Streamer 4K is the ability to access Google Home within the device. It doubles as a hub for Matter and Google Home, meaning you can connect and control compatible devices with your TV. You can change your lights, check the weather, adjust the thermostat and so much more, all from your TV.
My favourite feature was being able to check my Google security cameras from the TV. If I was watching a show or movie and someone was at the door, I could open my Google Doorbell live feed on my TV. It’s brilliant.
Performance
This is the fastest and most powerful Google TV Streaming device to date. But don’t expect noticeable performance improvements. Overall, it feels much the same as other streaming devices.
The processor is 22% faster and is compatible with Dolby Atmos, which makes your TV sound more immersive by creating a surround-sound effect. It’s also compatible with Dolby Vision which makes your TV picture look more vibrant and realistic by enhancing brightness, contrast, colours and 4K content. It also has 32GB of internal storage so you can download and install more streaming services.
Verdict
The Google TV Streamer 4K is a solid upgrade that introduces new features like a customisable button, Google Home integration and improved content recommendations.
It’s the most powerful Google streamer yet, with 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos and a faster processor. However, it doesn’t bring anything revolutionary to the table and feels more like Google catching up to its competitors.
Despite this, if you’re invested in the Google ecosystem, it’s worth considering for its unique smart home integration and affordable price.
