You know a product's about to launch when the leaks start to come from retailers. And that's now the case with the Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD), which is about to go on sale.
A new leak from Snoopytech on Twitter reports that the US price is set and that many retailers already have the device in stock, so a launch is clearly imminent.
The Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is the slightly lower spec and more affordable version of the Chromecast with Google TV, which we said is "as good as affordable video streamers currently get".
But the newer HD model is going to be even cheaper: where the current Chromecast has a RRP of £59 / $50 / AU$99, the US price is reportedly $40 – which translates as £40 in the UK and $60 in Australia. So it's cheaper, but not by much.
Should you buy the Chromecast with Google TV (HD)?
I wouldn't rush if I were you. I've just chucked the current model into a price checking website and I've found multiple versions coming in at around 20% to 30% lower than the RRP, so it's coming in cheaper than the new model's price – and for the same money you're getting the full-fat 4K version, not the HD version.
And of course, there's Amazon to consider here too. At the time of writing Amazon UK is charging £49 for the Fire TV Stick 4K and £54.99 for the Fire TV Stick 4K Max; in the US the 4K Max is $46. Those prices are without discounts, and I'd expect to see much better deals in the coming weeks and many more on Black Friday. I've owned several Fire TV sticks and while the first few generations were rather underpowered that's not the case any more: they're fast, fluid and have all the key streaming apps.
If you're not too bothered about which smart assistant your TV dongle has, I'd hang on for discounts and then go with whatever's cheapest. Functionally there's not a huge difference between a Chromecast and a Fire TV Stick now that Amazon has loosened the restrictions on streaming to its devices: both platforms enable you to stream from local devices to your TV and both have stacks of streaming apps in addition to their own services.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Using the Ray-Ban Meta Headliner has me convinced that smart glasses are the future
Wearing Ray-Ban Meta’s latest smart glasses was a revelation and makes regular glasses feel like a waste of time
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
Apple TV+'s underground sci-fi sensation just ended, but there's good news
Silo's going to be back, eventually
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Wyze security cameras now use AI to describe what they see
Wyze follows in Ring and Arlo’s footsteps with new AI-powered subscription
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Waking up for work is tough in the winter – but smart tech can help you avoid that snooze button
How smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother
By T3.com Published
-
Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scanner
Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
LG’s latest smart lamp grows indoor plants and sets the mood – but you might not get one
LG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Samsung announces new AI home screens for its smart fridges and laundry appliances
Samsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
I’m a smart home expert – these are the best smart home releases from 2024
11 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Homey launches affordable smart home hub for less than $200
It's available to preorder from today
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
Hisense's CES smart home launches have been revealed – and they're about to make household chores a lot easier
There are five new products altogether
By Lizzie Wilmot Published