Well, you can finally play your favorite games on Google Stadia while traveling! Google has recently released a Mobile data experiment that allows players to switch over to their cellular data to stream their games on the go. Here is everything you need to know about it.
What is Google Stadia?
Google Stadia is the search giant’s foray into cloud-based gaming. The service allows you to access your games from any compatible device and syncs your progress across them too. Stadia currently lets you stream games in up to 4K resolution with 60 FPS. You do need a Google account to use Stadia, and once you get that, you also need to purchase a Stadia account.
While originally only launched on Pixel devices, Stadia is now compatible with the latest Samsung and One Plus devices too. Check out the Google Support page for a full list of devices compatible with Stadia. Stadia lets you play with both wired as well as wireless controllers which is a huge selling point in its favor.
Until now, Stadia only lets you stream games on a wired connection or on Wifi. That meant you couldn’t play while on the move. However, with a recent update, Stadia is now letting users play over 4G and 5G mobile networks.
► How To Play On Stadia On 4G And 5G Mobile Data
What resolution can you play at on mobile data?
The new experimental feature currently lets gamers stream at 480p. However, there is no real indication of this on the app. This is mainly calculated based on the data consumption of the app. Currently, there is no option to choose your resolution in the experimental feature, and it doesn’t seem likely that one will soon be available.
Is Stadia on Mobile Data good?
Well, there are mixed results on this front. Obviously it highly depends on your data speeds as well as network coverage. While some users on Reddit claim that they are quite alright with the options provided (480p) and have not noticed much lag during gameplay.
There was a bit of stuttering for some this user, but the overall performance on mobile data was very impressive.
Another Redditor said the game stuttered a bit, but again, no major complains.
Another Redditor compared Stadia to Xbox’s Xcloud, claiming 480p on the former on mobile data is much better than 720p on the latter.
Is 480p enough in this day and age?
While 480p will definitely have you questioning your television, when streaming on a phone screen you will be hard-pressed to make out much of a difference. This is mainly because of the size of the screen. A number of users on credit claim that 480p does not deter them when streaming games over mobile networks.
Don’t forget, the higher the resolution, the more data it is going to consume. Stadia’s lowest resolution setting on Wifi is 720p. Users claim that there is little noticeable difference between the two resolutions during gameplay on the phone.
Can you use Stadia controllers while on mobile data?
Unfortunately, you cannot use the stadia controller when you switch over to streaming games over a mobile network. This is because the wireless controller needs to be on the same Wifi network as your device. Since that is not possible when using mobile data, you are restricted to your screen controls.
How much data will be used?
Well, the amount of data that Stadia uses depends on a number of factors. However, on average Google claims that the app uses up to 2.7GB/hr when streaming at 480p on mobile data. Remember there is no option to change the streaming quality.
What do you think of the new experimental feature on Google Stadia? Are you going to give it a try?
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