Recent rumors indicate the launch of Google's cheaper new Chromecast is just around the corner. The streaming stick will seemingly be sold under the "Chromecast with Google TV (HD)" branding, with a reported price tag of €40 in Europe—the same as the 2018 Chromecast. Based on the leaked European pricing, the device has been expected to cost $30 in the US. An even newer leak suggested that the Chromecast HD could be more expensive in the US than previously thought (and priced far too closely to the 4K model), but we're now learning that this pricing panic was probably premature.

Leaker SnoopyTech initially claimed that the new 1080p Chromecast would cost $40 in the US. If true, that would make the budget streaming device just $10 cheaper than the 4K version of the stick, which retails for $50. The Chromecast HD will reportedly come with a weaker AMlogic S805X2 chipset and 1.5GB RAM — instead of 2GB on the 4K model. If there was only a $10 difference between the two models, it would sure make sense to spring for the more powerful model, even if you didn't necessarily need 4K streaming. The faster CPU and additional RAM would help with performance.

Unfortunately, while SnoopyTech did make a point to specify USD when talking about that 40 figure, the leaker has since posted an update acknowledging that this was a mistake, and it actually should have been 40 Canadian dollars. Sure enough, that works out to right around 30 USD — just as we were initially expecting.

Another leak courtesy of WinFuture gives us a look at the official marketing images of the "Chromecast with Google TV (HD)." The streaming stick looks similar to its 4K sibling in the photos. The dongle will come bundled with a Voice remote featuring dedicated shortcut keys for YouTube and Netflix, two AAA batteries, a power brick, and a USB-C to USB-A cable.

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Source: WinFuture

These leaked marketing images further confirm the impending launch of the Chromecast HD. While Google has scheduled a Pixel and Nest event on October 6th, the company could go ahead and announce its streaming stick before that, especially since stocks are already making their way to retailers.