Turns out the new Google TV Streamer has a different chip under the hood

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Looks like the Chromecast replacement is running on a MediaTek processor.

Porcelain Google TV Streamer remote lifestlye
(Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

  • The Google TV Streamer's processor details are still under wraps, but it’s rumored to be the MediaTek MT8696, similar to the chip in Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
  • The new streaming device significantly upgrades RAM and storage to 4GB and 32GB, a big leap from the old model’s 8GB.
  • It uses the Google TV interface, supports a range of TV apps, integrates with Google Home and Nest, and serves as a Matter smart home hub and Thread border router.

Google's back in the high-end streaming scene with its new Google TV Streamer, offering 4K, smart home integration, and a wide app selection. Surprisingly, it may be using a different processor than expected.

Even after unveiling the Chromecast replacement, Google has kept the TV Streamer’s processor details under wraps. The company only promises an "improved" chipset but hasn't revealed the manufacturer or model.

Android Authority recently discovered that the mysterious processor is the MediaTek MT8696. Although details are limited, this chip seems to be a variant of the one in Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max. This suggests support for advanced video codecs like AV1, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, matching the TV Streamer's features.

Android Central has contacted Google for a comment on the streaming device's chipset and will update this article once we receive a response.

If accurate, Google's choice of a MediaTek chipset for the Google TV Streamer signals a shift from its previous reliance on Amlogic processors. The 2020 4K and 2022 HD Chromecast models used Amlogic's S905X3 and S805X2 SoCs, respectively.

MediaTek has been tight-lipped about the MT8696 processor's specs, including its clock speed. However, by looking at the similar MT8696(T) chipset in Amazon's Fire TV Stick, we can guess some performance details. Amazon's version has a quad-core CPU running up to 2.0GHz, giving us an idea of the Google TV Streamer's potential processing power.

Meanwhile, the Amlogic processors in previous Chromecast models maxed out at 1.9GHz. This implies the MediaTek chipset could offer a performance boost, though we'll need official specs from MediaTek to confirm.

Anyway, the Google TV Streamer solves a major Chromecast shortcoming with a big upgrade in RAM and storage. It comes with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, a huge leap from the previous model’s 8GB.

The box also uses the familiar Google TV interface (formerly Android TV) to give access to a wide range of TV apps from the Google Play Store. It integrates smoothly with Google Home and Nest smart home systems. Plus, it acts as a Matter smart home hub and Thread border router, making it a key control center for your connected home devices.

In any case, switching from Amlogic to MediaTek for Google’s streaming devices makes sense given their leading roles in the TV chip market.

Jay Bonggolto
Jay Bonggolto
News Writer & Reviewer

Jay Bonggolto always keeps a nose for news. He has been writing about consumer tech and apps for as long as he can remember, and he has used a variety of Android phones since falling in love with Jelly Bean. Send him a direct message via Twitter or LinkedIn.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • SyCoREAPER
    Mediatek, yuch. Better than AMLogic though.. As long as the rumored AV1 is finally included im in. Well I'm not, for the rest of the family I am. I'm still using my Shield Pro despite the lack of AV1.
    Reply
  • RomeoLima954
    SyCoREAPER said:
    Mediatek, yuch. Better than AMLogic though.. As long as the rumored AV1 is finally included im in. Well I'm not, for the rest of the family I am. I'm still using my Shield Pro despite the lack of AV1.
    I think Walmart's Onn 4k Pro is a better buy for most use cases unless you need the upscaling. The Onn supports AV1 as well...same storage and $50 cheaper. Most Mid range TV's and up have upscaling as well so unless you absolutely need the AI upscaling...I would recommend the Onn.
    Reply
  • SyCoREAPER
    RomeoLima954 said:
    I think Walmart's Onn 4k Pro is a better buy for most use cases unless you need the upscaling. The Onn supports AV1 as well...same storage and $50 cheaper. Most Mid range TV's and up have upscaling as well so unless you absolutely need the AI upscaling...I would recommend the Onn.
    Processor and low ram are a deal breaker. Performance on par with a low end firestick and that's not a good experience. Might be fine for some but speeds the game for me. I don't like input lag (remote) and apps not launching knstsntl.
    Reply
  • BeholdersEye
    Once again another 'reviewers',
    Andrew Myrick, Nicholas Daiz, and Jay Bonggolto
    that will not answer the question....Does the 4k streamer control your smart home if and when the Internet goes down at your house?!? The Max hub failed miserably at the job and can not control your 'smart home' with no internet!!!! And Google failed to tell us that when we purchased it!!!
    Reply