The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick: A Solid Option With a Unique Interface, But Minor Flaws
With the rise of smart televisions, you’d think the need for streaming devices has diminished. But many people still use older non-smart TVs or smart TVs with limited capabilities. This is where streaming devices like the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick come in, offering a cost-effective way to enjoy the latest smart features without replacing an existing television. Priced at just ₹3,499, this device delivers Ultra-HD and HDR streaming along with the Google TV user interface, making it a strong contender in the sub-₹5,000 segment. But does it truly deliver on its potential? Let’s dive into a detailed review of the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick to find out.
Design and Specifications: A Familiar Form Factor With Powerful Capabilities
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick follows the same design language as its counterparts like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and the Mi TV Stick. It’s a compact device that plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port, blending seamlessly with your setup. The stick comes with an HDMI plug and a Micro-USB port for power, accompanied by a USB cable and wall adapter. You can power the device through a USB port on your TV, but using the wall adapter is recommended for a stable, independent power supply.
The package also includes an HDMI extender, a Bluetooth remote, and AAA batteries. The HDMI extender is useful for TVs mounted on walls with limited space or close-packed ports.
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick boasts a range of impressive features:
- HDMI 2.1 support: Enabling Ultra-HD streaming at up to 60Hz.
- HDR10+ support: Providing a wider color range and enhanced contrast for a richer viewing experience.
- Dolby Audio: Delivering immersive sound for a more engaging experience.
- Quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM, and 8GB storage: Ensures smooth performance and ample storage for apps and data.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 connectivity: For seamless connectivity to your home network and compatible devices.
Remote and Features: A Well-Equipped Control Center
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick comes with a Bluetooth remote that closely resembles the remotes found on the Realme Smart TV range. It’s packed with intuitive controls for navigating the interface, adjusting volume and settings, and dedicated hotkeys for popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and YouTube Music. The remote is powered by two AAA batteries.
The device also includes HDMI CEC support, allowing you to control a compatible TV using the Realme TV Stick remote, which is a handy feature. However, the home button on the TV remote might not function as intended, leading to a slightly bumpy navigation experience when not using the Realme remote.
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick is equipped with Google Chromecast and Google Assistant functionality. The voice assistant performed flawlessly, providing access to personalized information, specific content from installed apps, and more. The remote’s microphone accurately picked up voice commands for smooth interactions.
Software and Performance: Google TV Brings a Modern Interface
The Google TV user interface is the star of the show. This marks its first appearance on a streaming device in India, previously only available with the Chromecast with Google TV. Built upon Android TV, the Realme TV Stick runs on Android 11. You have access to the Google Play Store for Android TV, offering an impressive selection of over 5,000 apps optimized for the big screen.
The device comes preloaded with numerous popular apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, MX Player, Alt Balaji, Zee5, Sun Nxt, and Sony Liv. You can uninstall these apps if you don’t need them, offering flexibility in customizing your experience.
Google TV differentiates itself from the stock Android TV user interface by emphasizing content discovery and curation. The interface prioritizes recommendations and curated lists for various categories, making it easy to find something to watch quickly. But you can also directly access specific apps if you know what you want.
The recommendations encompass content from different streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV, and MX Player, making it easy to discover new content across your subscriptions. However, Netflix is curiously absent from this integration, meaning its content wasn’t included in the recommendations. This lack of Netflix integration in India is a notable drawback.
While the device offers smooth performance and responsiveness, there are some HDR-related limitations. I encountered challenges playing HDR content at 60Hz on two different televisions, forcing me to reduce the frame rate to 30Hz at Ultra-HD. While this resolved the issue, it highlights a software bug that Realme needs to address.
It’s important to note that my original review unit encountered unforeseen technical issues shortly after testing but before publication. The interface and settings menus became inaccessible, even on multiple TVs. This issue was resolved with a replacement unit, but the cause of the original problem remains unknown.
Verdict: Google TV Delivers, but Some Flaws Remain
The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick stands out with its exclusive access to the Google TV user interface. However, it is otherwise a fairly ordinary streaming device, even at its attractive price point. While the convenient form factor, Ultra-HD streaming, and HDR10+ support are compelling, the lack of Dolby Vision is a disappointment. The missing Netflix integration in Google TV’s recommendations is another point to consider.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Mi Box 4K with similar capabilities, the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick is worth considering. But if you can stretch your budget a bit, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K remains our top choice due to its Dolby Vision support. Additionally, the newer Fire TV Stick 4K Max could also be an interesting option.
Price: ₹3,499
Pros:
- Android TV 11 with Google TV UI
- Convenient form factor
- Ultra-HD and HDR streaming at a competitive price
Cons:
- No Dolby Vision support
- Software bugs
- Limited Netflix integration in Google TV recommendations
Ratings (out of 10):
- Design and specifications: 8
- Features: 8
- Value for money: 8
- Overall: 8
Ultimately, the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick offers a good balance of features and price, with the Google TV interface being its standout advantage. However, a few minor flaws and a lack of Netflix integration in recommendations might leave some users wanting more.
