On October 9, 2018, Google announced the 3rd generation of Chromecast (Chromecast 2018) as the successor of the 2nd generation of Chromecast (Chromecast 2015).
There is no update for Chromecast Ultra or Chromecast Audio this year. Update: Google discontinued Chromecast Audio in early 2019.
This Chromecast guide explains the new features of Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast) and whether it is worth updating your Chromecast.
The successor of Chromecast 2018, Chromecast with Google TV (Chromecast 2020; Chromecast 4th Gen), was released on September 30, 2020. Google TV Streamer is the current product replacing Chromecast with Google TV.
What are the new features in Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast)?
Chromecast 2018 is a minor update to Chromecast 2015 (2nd gen Chromecast). So, there are no jaw-dropping new features in Chromecast 2018.
Because Chromecast is so unique that there are no serious direct competitors in the market, it is hard to judge whether Chromecast 2018 is behind or ahead of the industry trends.
But one thing is sure your $35 will be well spent if you do not own a Chromecast or Chromecast Ultra now.
As Google stopped selling the 2nd-generation Chromecast, you will get the latest Chromecast 2018 if you purchase it from now on.
The new features discussed in this post are “new” to Chromecast 2015 (2nd gen Chromecast) owners. If you are new to Chromecast or currently own the first generation of Chromecast, you may check this guide first.
Compared to the 2nd generation of Chromecast (Chromecast), Chromecast 2018 has the following new features and improvements.
1. Faster hardware
Google claims the 3rd gen Chromecast hardware is 15% faster than the 2nd gen. It is hard to verify because very few owners complained about the hardware speed.
Most of the time, the speed is limited by your internet connection.
The significant improvement we somewhat felt was the stability of the connection. Chromecast 2018 can maintain a better WiFi connection (and smoother streaming) at 2.4GHz when the WiFi signal is weak.
Overall, there are no dramatic improvements from Chromecast 2015 to Chromecast 2018.
However, if you are using the first-gen Chromecast, you will see significant improvements because Chromecast 2015 (2nd gen) is a major one.
2. Plain design
Chromecast 3rd gen has physical dimensions similar to those of Chromecast 2015. But there are a few design changes (good and bad):
- Only two colors are available: black or charcoal. There is no red option, no yellow option.
- Plain (and maybe boring) design with a G logo. However, some users may like the simplicity. Anyway, Chromecast, most of the time, stays behind a TV. The design may not be so important.
- No magnet on the HDMI cable. So the new Chromecast 2018 will be hanging in the air for most setups.
Basically, the design of Chromecast 2018 is a step back for some users.
3. 1080p 60fps support
The first generation Chromecast supports 1080p at 24fps. The second generation Chromecast (Chromecast 2015) supports 1080p @30fps and 720p @60fps.
Now the third generation Chromecast (Chromecast) supports 1080p@60fps.
Of course, 4K or HDR support is still only available in Chromecast Ultra (update: and the 4th Gen Chromecast, aka Chromecast with Google TV).
4. Bluetooth support
It is still unclear how the Bluetooth support will be used in Chromecast 2018.
Up to now, Bluetooth support has not been enabled in the Google Home app.
Fast Pair is available for Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer only.
Please note that adding Bluetooth support requires some sort of approval from the FCC. Chromecast 2015 and the first generation Chromecast will NOT get Bluetooth support, although it can be enabled through a firmware update.
5. Multiroom group playback support
Multiroom group playback is a feature of Chromecast Audio and Google Home devices.
Google announced multiroom playback support would be available for Chromecast 2018 later this year (2018).
Very likely, all old Chromecast devices (1st and 2nd gen Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra) will get this feature as well.
Because Google discontinued Chromecast Audio in 2019, you can use Chromecast as Chromecast Audio, as explained in this guide.
Should you upgrade to the new Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast)?
Whether you should upgrade to the Chromecast 2018 or not depends on what you have now.
If you are using a Chromecast 2015 (2nd generation Chromecast), you may skip Chromecast 2018. Bluetooth support is unclear. 1080p @60fps support is not so important. So, instead of spending $35, you may hold the money back a while or double the budget to get a Chromecast Ultra.
If you are using the first generation Chromecast, you SHOULD upgrade to Chromecast 2018. A faster connection and faster hardware can justify the $35 investment.
If you are not using any Chromecast devices, your choice would be Chromecast 2018 ($35) or Chromecast Ultra ($69). If the budget allows, I would suggest you get a Chromecast Ultra.
If you are using a Chromecast Ultra, you should not downgrade.
Please note that Chromecast 2018 works like other Chromecast devices exactly the same way. For example, you can stream internet content, as well as stream local content. The most popular media player VLC now fully supports Chromecast on both Windows and Android. All Chromecast devices and Google Home devices are controlled by the Google Home app.
So, the difference among Chromecast, Chromecast 2015, Chromecast 2018 and Chromecast 2018 lies many in hardware capabilities.
You can get the new Chromecast 2018 in the Google store or Walmart.
How about the new generation of Chromecast Ultra (Chromecast Ultra 2018) and Chromecast Audio (Chromecast Audio 2018)?
Google did not update Chromecast Ultra and Chromecast Audio this year.
So, there is no Chromecast Ultra 2018 or Chromecast Audio 2018. Google very likely will update them in 2019 or in 2020.
Update: Google updated Chromecast 2018 with Chromecast 2020 (Chromecast with Google TV) on September 30, 2020. And for Chromecast Audio, Google silently discontinued it in early 2019.
Do you know the new features and improvements in Chromecast 2018 (3rd gen of Chromecast)? Do you know which Chromecast device you should get now?
If you have any questions or encounter any problems on the new Chromecast (3rd gen, 2018), or have questions about choosing a Chromecast device, please let us know in the comment box below.
The community will try to help you find the solution.
For Chromecast Audio guides, please visit the Chromecast Audio guide page.
If your question is on Chromecast, including Chromecast Ultra, 1st generation Chromecast, 2nd gen Chromecast (aka Chromecast 2015), and the 3rd gen Chromecast (Chromecast 2018), please visit the Chromecast how-to guides page.
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