EVEN CHEAP can be surprisingly smart: THOMSON's new 4K stick fixes a big flaw – and the price can turn the tables

THOMSON has launched a new 152 Go Cast streaming stick, continuing the manufacturer's line of small Google TV devices. The novelty is designed for a simple purpose: plug it into the HDMI port and your TV turns into a streaming center without a separate set-top box. This time, however, the focus is less on the design and more on what has changed under the hood - and at what price.

The most important practical change is in the storage space. The 152 Go Cast offers 32 gigabytes of internal memory, while the previous 150 model was limited to 8 gigabytes. This is a significant improvement, as limited storage has been a clear bottleneck for many affordable streaming devices. Installing more apps – especially heavier streaming services – is now possible without constantly deleting and freeing up space. There is still 2 gigabytes of RAM, so there is not really a leap in this regard, even though memory is emphasized in communication.

The performance is handled by Amlogic's S905Y5-B chipset, which should provide a somewhat smoother user experience. The manufacturer talks about faster navigation and better responsiveness, but the exact difference from its predecessor is not disclosed at the numerical level. The technical listing still lists the CPU as a quad-core Cortex-A35, so it's likely a fine-tuned update rather than a major leap.

The user interface is Google TV, which brings together services such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube and Spotify in one view. Content recommendations are based on user profiles, and the idea is to reduce jumping between apps. The included remote control offers Google Assistant voice control and shortcut buttons for the most common services. In addition, the built-in Google Cast allows you to mirror content from your phone or tablet.

In terms of image quality, support reaches 4K/60 Hz and HDR10, and on the audio side, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus are mentioned. Connectivity is maintained at Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, which indicates that the device is positioned more for basic use than for high-end home theater needs. On the other hand, in this kind of light use – when traveling, at the cottage or updating an old TV – these limitations may not be a problem.

However, the price changes the overall picture more than any technical detail. Power sells the THOMSON 152 Go Cast for 79 euros, which puts it squarely at the heart of affordable streaming sticks. In this price range, 32 gigabytes of storage is not a given, which makes the device quite competitive on paper. At the same time, the question of the justification of the price that arose earlier turns in the other direction: it may rather be a question of whether the device offers an exceptionally large amount of space for the price.

Overall, the 152 Go Cast looks like a corrective move to address the weaknesses of its predecessor. The biggest improvement is clear and easy to understand, while the performance jump remains, at least for now, based on the manufacturer's general promises. However, at a price of 79 euros, the whole thing seems more balanced than before – and could make this little stick a viable option for many.

More information:Power.fi