Battle between Google TV Streamer and Amazon Fire TV Cube: determining the superior streaming device for optimal entertainment experience
In the realm of streaming devices, two contenders stand out: the Google TV Streamer and the Amazon Fire TV Cube. Both offer top-tier video formats, including 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. However, they differ in terms of hardware performance, connectivity, and additional features.
The Amazon Fire TV Cube, designed as a dedicated smart speaker for your living room setup, boasts an octa-core processor, making it the most powerful and fastest Amazon Fire TV device. This power, combined with its Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, ensures smooth 4K playback and faster, more stable streaming.
On the other hand, the Google TV Streamer offers 4K Ultra HD resolution and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos, providing very good picture quality. While it uses Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), it's worth noting that the Fire TV Cube has an edge in processing power and networking, which can contribute to slightly better streaming quality and stability in practice.
The Amazon Fire TV Cube measures 8.6 x 8.6 x 7.7cm, while the Google TV Streamer is slightly smaller at 2.5 x 16 x 7.6cm. The Fire TV Cube relies on Amazon's Alexa for its smart features and offers smart home integration, while the Google TV Streamer aims to stand out from the crowd by banking on AI to set it apart.
In terms of ports, the Fire TV Cube offers six, including HDMI 2.1, ARC, an IR extender, Ethernet, USB-A, and additional USB ports. The Google TV Streamer features HDMI 2.1, USB-C, and Ethernet, but lacks the variety of ports found on the Fire TV Cube.
When it comes to pricing, the Google TV Streamer retails at £99 / $99 / AU$159, while the Amazon Fire TV Cube is priced at £140 / $140 / AU$219. In terms of sound quality, both devices struggle with low-level dynamics and dialogue, and neither is brilliant.
The Google TV Streamer generates content summaries, reviews, and season-by-season breakdowns for TV shows, while the Fire TV Cube supports Bluetooth 5.0. The Google TV Streamer's picture is very good, but not outstanding, with improved contrast, popping colours, and adept motion handling. However, the menus of the Google TV Streamer tend to 'stick' too often, which can hold things up when trying to find something to watch.
In summary, while both devices offer top-tier video formats and support HDMI 2.1 and ARC, the Amazon Fire TV Cube's superior hardware performance and Wi-Fi 6E support make it a more suitable choice for those seeking better real-world streaming and responsiveness. The Google TV Streamer, on the other hand, stands out with its AI capabilities and content generation features. Ultimately, the choice between these two devices depends on your specific needs and preferences.
- The Amazon Fire TV Cube, designed as a dedicated smart speaker, offers an integrated hi-fi audio experience through its top-tier hardware and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
- For those seeking reviews and general-news content summaries, the Google TV Streamer provides them alongside its excellent picture quality, including improved contrast, popping colors, and adept motion handling.
- If you're looking for a more powerful streaming device with a broad range of ports, the Amazon Fire TV Cube might be the best choice, as it offers six ports, including HDMI 2.1, ARC, and Ethernet.
- In terms of pricing, the Google TV Streamer is more budget-friendly at £99 / $99 / AU$159, while the Amazon Fire TV Cube is priced at £140 / $140 / AU$219.
- Both streaming devices, the Google TV Streamer and the Amazon Fire TV Cube, support high-definition video formats such as 4K resolution, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, making them excellent devices for entertainment enthusiasts.
