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Since you are reading this article, I imagine that you are looking for the best Chromecast to buy from among the available models. Having to sift between up to seven different options can be draining, so I came up with this guide to simplify things for you.
Let’s look at all the different models available and point out which is best for what needs. If you really do not want the details, you can skip to the last section of this article to see which model I recommend as the best Chromecast to buy.
- Chromecast 1st Gen
- Chromecast 2nd Gen
- Chromecast 3rd Gen
- Chromecast Ultra
- Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
- Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
- Chromecast Audio
- The Best Chromecast to Buy
Chromecast 1st Gen
Chromecast 1st Gen
The original Chromecast dongle was released in 2013 and was revolutionary in that it was the first accessory to enable you cast your phone to a TV screen . It isn’t an option anymore, if you ask me. Google has ended support for it. That means, there are no more security updates coming for it and you won’t get technical support for it if you have any problems with yours. Don’t buy this for any reason. Skip.
Chromecast 2nd Gen
Chromecast 2nd Gen
The 2nd generation Chromecast is still quite a valid option. It gets the job done, if you absolutely have to use it, but its performance isn’t exactly what you want if you live on the cutting edge of digital technology.
I do not advice that you buy this Chromecast any more, unless it is the only model available in your market and you need one right away.
- 512 RAM
- 256MB storage
- Supports 720p at 60fps and1080p video at 30fps
- Supports only 2.4 GHz WiFi.
- No voice commands
- Ethernet, HDMI, and Micro-USB ports
- Price: $49.95
Chromecast 3rd Gen
The 3rd generation Chromecast looks pretty much like the 2nd generation model. But looks aside, it has some improvements. For one, this version supports 1080p HD streaming. Google also says it offers a 15% increase in speed over the 2nd generation model.
- Supports up to 1080p at 60fps
- Google Home app
- Voice commands
- Compatible with Google Assistant
- Supports iOS, Android, and Windows
- Micro-USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports
- Price: from $37.90
Chromecast Ultra
The Chromecast Ultra is a high-end option that supports 4K HDR streaming. It includes an Ethernet port for a more stable internet connection and supports a wide range of streaming services. However, it was discontinued for single sale, and was replaced by Chromecast with Google TV in 2020.
- 1GB RAM
- 4K and 1080p video resolution
- Dolby vision
- Google Home app
- Voice control for Youtube
- Micro-USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports
- Price: $69
Chromecast with Google TV (HD)
There are two variants of Chromecast with Google TV – one supports HD video and the other supports 4K. Most people do not own a 4K TV yet, so the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) is the more popular variant. This is best for you if you don’t have a 4K TV yet and have no plans to buy one soon.
- 2GB RAM
- 1080p HD at 60fps
- 8GB storage
- Voice remote control
- Google Assistant compatible
- Android OS
- Dolby Digital, digital plus, and atmos audio
- Price: from $29.69
Chromecast with Google TV (4K)
This Chromecast model looks like the Chromecast with Google TV (HD) too, but has more RAM and supports up to 4k video. Features of this model include:
- 4K HDR at 60fps
- Voice remote control
- Google Assistant compatible
- 2GB RAM
- 8GB storage
- Android OS
- Dolby Digital, digital plus, and Atmos audio
- Price: $50
As the name indicates, if you do not own a 4K television set, there is no point buying this Chromecast dongle. If you do own one, you really should get this. It is the best Chromecast to buy by owners of 4K television sets.
Chromecast Audio
Chromecast Audio is the best Chromecast to buy for those who only want to stream music.
Chromecast Audio is a dongle that is designed to stream audio content to speakers or a stereo system. It supports high-quality audio streaming and includes a 3.5mm audio output. You cannot stream video with this dongle. Its specs include:
- Stream up to 96KHz/24bit lossless audio
- 3.5 mm jack with analogue and optical digital audio output
- Micro USB
- Colour: Black
- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
- Supported audio formats include HE-AAC, LC-AAC, MP3, OGG Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), Opus, FLAC
- Price: $35
Chromecast Audio is the best Chromecast to buy for someone who just wants to stream music and nothing else. Note though that Google has stopped manufacturing it, though it is still supported.
The Best Chromecast to Buy
The best Chromecast to buy for video streaming depends on your specific needs, but having analysed all of the available models above, my recommendation is that the best Chromecast for you today in 2023 will fall between Chromecast with Google TV (4K), if you have a 4K, and Chromecast with Google TV (HD). If you can’t find either to buy, look for the Chromecast 3rd Gen. And if you can’t find that, well, just buy whichever one of the video options is available to you.
If, however, all you want is to stream music, the best Chromecast to buy is Chromecast Audio.
Author:Mister Mobility
Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004
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Losing important messages can be frustrating, but you can recover them if you own a Samsung device. Whether you deleted them accidentally or they were lost due to a phone malfunction, there are several ways to retrieve your deleted messages on Samsung.
In this article, I’ll show you some of the most effective methods for recovering deleted messages on Samsung phones. So, if you have precious messages you’d like to recover on your device, keep reading!
- How To Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung Phones Restore Using Samsung Messages Recycle Bin Restore From Samsung Cloud or Google Drive Restore Using Samsung Smart Switch Restore using Android Data Recovery
How To Recover Deleted Messages on Samsung Phones
If you ever delete text messages on your Samsung phone by mistake, you can recover them through certain methods. It’s also possible to retrieve deleted photos and contacts on Samsung phones. To retrieve deleted messages on Samsung phones, follow the instructions for the different techniques below.
Restore Using Samsung Messages Recycle Bin
You can use the Recycle Bin option in Samsung Messages to recover deleted messages on Samsung mobile devices, provided it is enabled in the Messages app settings. Just like deleted files are temporarily stored in a computer’s recycle bin before permanent deletion, some Samsung devices can retain deleted messages through a similar dedicated feature.
Note that this method only works if you use the Samsung Message app. If you use Google Messages, you will be unable to restore texts with this method because it lacks a recycle bin.
- Launch the Samsung’s Messages app
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
- Choose “ Recycle Bin ” to recover a deleted message.
- Then, choose the message you wish to get back and choose “ Restore .” After that, the message(s) will return to your inbox.
Keep in mind that the Recycle Bin feature is only available on Samsung phones running Android 10 or later and that the duration of time that messages are stored in the Recycle Bin may vary depending on your phone’s settings.
Restore From Samsung Cloud or Google Drive
Samsung Cloud is a storage option available in the Settings menu. With it, you can save files to the cloud and download them later. Use the steps below to retrieve messages on Samsung if you had a Samsung Cloud backup before you lost them:
- Navigate to Settings , and select Accounts and Backup .
- Here, you will see all the accounts where your data is being backed up. Most of the time, it will be Samsung Cloud or Google Drive , or both.
- Click on Restore Data , and your phone will prompt you to choose which backup you wish to restore.
- Click on the most recent backup, then uncheck all the data options except for Messages
- Click Restore and your phone will recover all lost messages automatically.
Restore Using Samsung Smart Switch
Another way to retrieve deleted messages on Samsung phones is by using the Samsung Smart Switch feature. This data transfer solution is a Samsung program that backs up data on your old phone and transfers it to a new one. You can recover your messages this way if you have an existing data backup on the Samsung Switch.
Before connecting your new phone and PC with a USB cable, you must first download and install the Samsung Smart Switch app on both.
- Connect a USB cable to an available USB port on your computer. Then connect the cable to your Samsung smartphone.
- Open Smart Switch on your PC.
- Select Restore . The software locates backed-up data on the computer automatically. If not, select the Manually select file option to import the backup file from your computer.
- Select Restore .
- Hold on for Smart Switch to finish recovering your data including relevant messages.
Remember that this method only works if you previously backed up your Samsung phone with Smart Switch. You’ll need to use another method to recover your deleted messages on Samsung if you haven’t backed up your phone.
Restore using Android Data Recovery
Android Data Recovery can also be used to recover deleted messages from Samsung phones. This app is designed to recover lost or deleted data from Android devices, such as messages, contacts, and photos. To recover deleted messages using Android Data Recovery, follow the steps below.
- You’ll need to download and install the software on your computer, connect your Samsung phone to the computer with a USB cable.
- Next, scan your phone for deleted messages using the on-screen instructions.
- You can preview the deleted messages after the scan is finished and choose which ones you want to recover.
- Finally, press the “ Recover ” button to bring back your deleted messages.
Note that this method may not work for all Samsung phones, and you may need to root your phone in order to use Android Data Recovery to successfully retrieve deleted messages on Samsung.
To sum up, if you have mistakenly deleted vital messages from your Samsung phone, there are several ways to retrieve them. Each method has its perks and drawbacks so it is important to select the one that is appropriate for your situation. Also you can contact your service provider for assistance although this may cost a fee.
