Chromecast 3 Release Date, Price & Specs
When the Google Chromecast was announced back in 2013 it was a must-have bit of kit – a £30/$35 HDMI dongle that plugged into the back of any old TV to add smart features including app and cast support. It was thenupdated in 2015with a new design, alongside the Chromecast Audio, and theChromecast Ultrafollowed in 2016.
It’s been all quiet on the Chromecast front ever since, so we were due an update. Even in 2018 not everyone owns a smart TV. Read ourChromecast 2018 review.
On 9 October 2018 we got exactly that. Though Google did not announce the third-generation Chromecast during its annual hardware event (in which we did see thePixel 3 and 3 XL,Pixel SlateandGoogle Home Hub), the upgrade was made available on the Google Store immediately after.
Read our initialPixel 3 reviewandPixel 3 XL reviewandHome Hub review.
When is the new Chromecast coming out?
The Chromecast 3 is nowavailable for sale on the Google Storein Chalk (white) and Charcoal (black).
How much does the Chromecast 3 cost?
The Chromecast 3’s price is the same as its predecessor. It costs£30 in the UKand£35 in the US.
What’s new in Chromecast 3?
The new Chromecast has an updated design.The form factor is the same – still a circular pebble-like device with a fixed HDMI cable and Micro-USB power port – but now with a newly matte finish and Google’s ‘G’ logo rather than the previous Chrome logo.
We first had a glimpse of the new design through a Reddit post byGrooveStreetHomie, who managed to buy a Chromecast 3 ahead of launch from a Best Buy outlet in the US. GrooveStreetHomie notes that the new version is a little thicker and loses the magnetic connector that was useful for managing the HDMI cable.
Here it is alongside the Chromecast 2 he was using on another TV:
The Chromecast 3 has a width of 13.8mm, length of 52mm and diameter of 51.9mm and weighs 40g. In terms of resolution, it supports 1080p at 60fps, and works across Android, iOS, Mac and Windows. The specs on the new Chromecast isavailable directly from Google.
Documents held by theFCCsuggested it would also feature improvements to Wi-Fi and the addition of full 2.4GHz Bluetooth support (previously 2.4GHz Bluetooth LE was supported). It’s not clear exactly if the Chromecast 3 has accommodated better Bluetooth connectivity, as its Google Store page does not specify. There are no additional accessories to the Chromecast 3 like a Bluetooth remote either.
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Author: Marie Black, Editorial Director, International
Marie is Editorial Director at Foundry. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for almost 20 years, covering all types of consumer tech from smartphones and their accessories to smart home gear. These days she manages our international editorial teams and leads on content strategy, having witnessed first-hand Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
