Google TV Streamer Price Jumps $50 to $149.99

Google just raised the price of the Google TV Streamer from $99.99 to $149.99, a $50 jump on a device that has not changed at all.

The new price went live on August 31 and is already showing on the Google Store and at Best Buy.

Google confirmed the move and blamed component pricing, noting the same adjustment hits select Nest cameras and doorbells.

That makes Google the fourth streaming brand to raise prices this summer.

Why the Google TV Streamer Price Went Up

The short answer is memory. The Google TV Streamer carries 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, which is more than most boxes in its class, and that generous spec sheet is exactly what left it exposed.

We flagged back in February that a RAM shortage would make streaming devices cost more, as data centers bought up the world’s supply. Google’s own Pixel 11 lineup and the Pixel Watch 5 already reflect that reality.

Google was direct about the reason in a statement to 9to5Google:

‘Due to rising component costs, we are adjusting the U.S. pricing of select Google Nest cameras, doorbells and Google TV streamer 4K, effective August 31.’

Worth noting is what did not move. The Google Home Speaker still sits at $99.99, most likely because Google baked the increase in when it launched back in June.

Every Streaming Brand Has Now Raised Prices

What makes this one sting is that it is no longer an outlier. Every major player on the shelf has moved since June.

• Walmart doubled the price of its Onn Full HD stick to $29.98
• Apple pushed the Apple TV up to $199 and $249
• Roku then hiked every player in its lineup, with the Ultra landing at $149.99.

Google now asks that identical $149.99 for a streamer that sold for $99.99 last week.

What to Buy Instead

The good news is that you have a little time. Walmart and Target had not matched Google as of this writing, so shopping around should still land you the old $99.99 sticker for a bit longer.

If it has already sold out at that price, spending $150 on a streamer makes little sense when cheaper hardware runs the same apps:

• Onn 4K Plus is the value pick at Walmart, with 16GB of storage for well under $50.
• Other Android TV/Google TV boxes that are more affordable than the Google TV Streamer

Final Thoughts from Troy

When we reviewed this device, the question we asked was whether it was worth $99. Google just answered that by charging $149.99 for the identical box, which happens to be the exact figure Roku wants for its Ultra.

Grab one at the old sticker while a few retailers still honor it. Otherwise a sub-$50 Onn box does the same core job, and you keep the difference in your pocket.

For more details on this story, refer to the reports from 9to5Google and AFTVnews.

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