Key Highlights:

• The Onn 4K Stick supports Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS:X passthrough.
• Early testing suggests HDR10 works, but Dolby Vision is missing.
• Kodi enables broader lossless playback than most Android media apps.
• The device may launch at a surprisingly low sub-$30 price.

Walmart’s new Onn 4K Stick is quietly appearing on store shelves before its official announcement, and early testing shows something unusual for a budget Google TV streamer. It supports Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS:X passthrough audio. That makes it one of the few low-cost Android TV streaming sticks with lossless surround support.

The discovery comes from early buyers who tested the device using home theater setups and media apps like Kodi. Their findings suggest the stick may outperform expectations in audio handling, even before Walmart formally lists it online.

What makes the Onn 4K Stick different from other budget streamers?

Lossless audio passthrough rarely appears in entry-level streaming hardware. Most devices in this price range limit users to compressed surround formats like Dolby Digital Plus. Even higher-priced Google TV hardware sometimes skips TrueHD and DTS-HD support.

However, early testing indicates this new stick passes Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS:X signals through eARC to compatible AV receivers. That capability matters for users who play local media files with full-quality surround tracks.

This makes the device stand out immediately in the budget streaming category.

Does the Onn 4K Stick support Dolby Vision or HDR10?

Video support looks more typical. The device does not include Dolby Vision support, according to early reports. Instead, it falls back to HDR10 when playing Dolby Vision profile 7 and profile 8.1 content.

That fallback behavior keeps playback functional but removes dynamic metadata advantages that Dolby Vision normally provides.

Still, HDR10 support ensures compatibility with most modern 4K televisions and streaming formats.

Why does Kodi unlock more audio formats than other apps?

Early testing shows a major difference between playback apps. Kodi successfully passed multiple lossless formats through the device. Meanwhile, Emby and Nova Player produced weaker results with the same files.

This difference comes from how Android media apps detect audio capabilities. Many rely on the operating system’s reported format support. If the system lists fewer formats, apps avoid sending unsupported signals.

Kodi behaves differently. It follows user configuration rather than system reporting. As a result, it can attempt passthrough even when Android does not officially confirm compatibility.

This behavior explains why Plex and Jellyfin may also struggle with lossless playback unless they adjust support specifically for the device.

What processor powers the Onn 4K Stick?

Hardware selection appears to play a major role here. The new streamer reportedly uses a Realtek processor instead of the Amlogic chips found in earlier Onn models.

That change may explain the sudden availability of lossless passthrough support.

Previous Walmart streaming devices using Amlogic hardware did not allow Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD output. The processor shift suggests Walmart may be experimenting with new platform capabilities in its budget lineup.

If confirmed, this would mark a notable technical shift across the Onn ecosystem.

How much could the Onn 4K Stick cost at launch?

Pricing remains unofficial, but early buyers reported two different purchase values. One user paid around $30. Another reported a lower price of $19.88 at checkout.

That difference suggests either early pricing adjustments or location-based store variation.

If the lower number holds at launch, the device could become one of the most affordable streaming sticks with lossless audio passthrough support.

That would place it in a unique position against both entry-level Google TV hardware and midrange streaming boxes.

Will other upcoming Onn devices support the same features?

Current signs suggest the answer may be no. Reports indicate the upcoming second-generation Onn 4K Pro will likely continue using an Amlogic processor similar to the Onn 4K Plus.

If that happens, it may not support the same lossless audio formats.

This creates an unusual situation where the smaller streaming stick could outperform larger models in surround audio compatibility.

Such differences could influence buying decisions among home theater users.

Why the Onn 4K Stick matters right now

The appearance of the device before its official listing signals a familiar rollout pattern for Walmart’s streaming hardware. Products often surface in physical stores before online availability.

Still, the combination of Realtek hardware and Dolby TrueHD passthrough makes this release more significant than previous Onn updates.

If final software support matches early testing results, the Onn 4K Stick could reshape expectations for budget Google TV streaming devices with advanced surround audio capability.