Walmart has yet to make a public announcement about its new ONN-branded 4K Google TV Box, but it is for sale at its retail locations and on the website. For only $20 USD.
Note: Following in the footsteps of Best Buy with its Insignia brand, Walmart is tapping into its own presence as a place to buy consumer electronics. When you examine both online and brick-and-mortar sales, Walmart is number 4, behind Amazon, Apple, and Best Buy.
The ONN brand includes TVs, soundbars, party speakers, headphones, wireless earbuds, and more. Of course, these aren’t high-end products, but Walmart doesn’t cater to high-end consumers.
Be that as it may, Walmart’s new ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box is getting a lot of attention because it brings the cost of adding streaming features to non-smart TVs or adding more streaming options for those that already own a smart TV at the low price of just $19.98.
Tip: The ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box is the successor to the ONN 4K Android TV box.
For reference, Google’s own branded 4K Chromecast with Google TV media streamer is priced at $49.99.
Google TV OS Core Features
All Google TV devices combine the capabilities of Android TV, Chromecast, and Google Assistant for accessing and managing streaming content and more.
Android TV: This provides pre-loaded streaming services, as well as several thousand more that can be added directly via the Google Play Store. Google TV also provides direct access to Google Play movies and music. Android TV on Google TV provides more refined navigation and personalized features.
Chromecast Built-in: This capability means that in addition to all the apps you can add to your device, you can also cast content directly from compatible smartphones to the Google TV media streamer.
Google Assistant: This feature provides the ability to use voice search to find content, manage apps, control TV settings, answer questions, and control other Google-assistant compatible smart home devices. Just press the microphone button on the remote control.
ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box – What We Know So Far
Beyond the core features of Walmart’s ONN-branded Google TV box, they haven’t provided much additional information about video and audio support so we don’t know all of the video and audio capabilities in comparison with Google’s own Chromecast with Google TV streamer.
Here is a comparison of select features of the Walmart ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box and Google’s Chromecast with Google TV
Brand/Model ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box Google’s Chromecast with Google TV Output Resolution 4K UHD 4K UHD HDR Not Indicated Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Audio Feature Highlights Dolby Audio Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos via HDMI passthrough Bluetooth (Wireless streaming from compatible smartphones and devices) No Yes Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO 2.4/5GHz 802.11 ac, 2.4/5GHz Processor (CPU) Quad-core Cortex-A35, GPU: Mali-G31 MP22 GB RAM with 8 GB Storage Quad-Core Amlogic S905X3 based on Arm Cortex-A55, 2 GB RAM with 8 GB Storage Voice Remote Yes Yes HDMI Cable Included Yes Yes Power Adapter with Cable Yes Yes Quick Start Guide Yes Yes Price $19.98 $49.99 
Before You Buy
Here are some important things to take into consideration before purchasing the ONN Google TV Box:
- In addition to using the ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box with a 4K UHD TV, you need to make sure you have the appropriate internet speed in order to ensure a smooth streaming experience at 4K resolution. Netflix recommends at least 25mbps for best results – other streaming service 4K requirements may vary, but the Netflix guideline is a good one to consider. If your internet speed is not adequate, the ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box will lower its output resolution (even if you have a 4K UHD TV).
- Although 4K UHD streaming is supported, not all streaming services provide 4K UHD streaming, and not all of the content from services that do support 4K is streamed in 4K resolution.
- Having a 4K UHD TV is preferable, but you can use the ONN Google TV 4K Streaming Box on a 1080p or 720p TV – as long as the TV has an available HDMI input. The box will detect the display resolution of your TV and adjust its output resolution accordingly.
- Many streaming services are free (such as Pluto TV and Tubi), but the major ones (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and more) each require a paid subscription to view content.
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