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The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick was announced at the end of 2021, being sold predominantly in India, where it has been one of the best options on the market.
Realme has also launched it to the EU market, and International buyers can also import it from Hekka.
Even though this is a good streaming stick, it is not really worth it for UK buyers.
Specification
- CPU: AMlogic S905W2, 4 cores ARM Cortex-A35 1.8 GHz
- GPU: ARM Mali-G31 MP2, 2 cores at 650 Mhz
- RAM memory: 2 GB
- ROM memory: 8 GB
- Resolution 3,840 x 2,160 (4K UHD) at 60fps
- Decoding of the new AV1 codec
- Compatible with HDR 10, HDR10 + and HLG technologies (not Dolby Vision)
- Connectivity:
- HDMI 2.1
- WiFi 2.4GHz / 5GHz
- Bluetooth 5.0
Set Up
Set up was simple. You can avoid typing in your username and password by completing the set up process using the Google Home app.
This was sold as the global version from Hekka. However, there is no option to select the UK during the set up procedure. I, therefore, ended up selecting the US, this then has a consequence on what apps are available to you.
Performance
The overall experience has been good, the interface is responsive and is less cluttered than my Amazon Fire TV or the Nvidia Shield. Both Amazon and Nvidia have been criticised a lot by users for the heavy advertising on the home screen, it doesn’t personally bother me as I am not spending much time on the home screen.
It has all the big streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney and Amazon Prime Video.
Streaming from all of these apps worked well, and I didn’t experience any problems with buffering or audio problems.
However, because I was not able to set the location as UK, I was not able to access some UK streaming apps such as ITV, and the BBC iPlayer wasn’t available at all.
Plex / Kodi
Both Kodi and Plex are available to install directly from the app store. I personally use Plex, and using this to stream content from my Plex server works well. Again with no problems with buffering or any audio problems
Price and Alternative Options
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast with Google TV (4K) Snow – Streaming... |
£57.95 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max | streaming device, Wi-Fi 6,... | Buy on Amazon |
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick is available to buy directly from Realme for 70 Euros, or you can get the global version imported from Hekka for £47.37.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has an RRP of just £55, and it has dropped as low as £40. If you can cope with the Amazon interface, it is a superior product with a more powerful chipset and better support of video and audio codecs, including Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
The Google Chromecast with Google TV is £60 normally but at the time of writing discounted to £40. Again, this has superior support for video and audio formats.
The Roku Streaming Stick+ is currently £60 on Amazon.
Overall
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick is generally a good streaming stick. It was easy to set up, and the performance has been good. The Android TV interface is less cluttered than Amazon and the Nvidia Shield.
However, for UK buyers at least, there are plenty of other superb options which are arguably better. This lacks Dolby Vision and Atmos which both the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Chromecast support. Then both the Fire TV and Chromecast get regularly discounted to around £40 available from UK retailers such as Amazon.
Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick Review Rating
Summary
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick is generally a good streaming stick, but it doesn’t really compete well in the UK market. You can get a Google Chromecast with Google TV for a similar price which supports UK streaming services and has better audio/video support.
Overall
70%-
Overall - 70%70%
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Good performance
Cons
- Limited / No access to UK streaming apps
- No Dolby Vision / Atmos
- Superior products are regularly cheaper to buy
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
