Amazon has announced a new generation of Fire TV hardware, headlined by an updated Fire TV Stick 4K and a redesigned remote control. The reveal comes just ahead of the company’s October Prime Day event, continuing a refresh that began with the Fire TV Stick HD introduced earlier this year.
The new streaming stick boasts improved performance, with Amazon claiming it operates 20 to 40 percent faster than comparable 4K sticks from other major brands. Specific metrics indicate the device turns on more quickly, launches applications over 35 percent faster, and begins content playback nearly 20 percent quicker. In internal tests against three top-selling 4K smart TVs, Amazon stated the Stick 4K outperformed built-in experiences when running the platform’s most popular apps.
Physically, the device is slimmer than previous iterations, mirroring the compact design of the HD model. It draws power directly from a TV’s USB port via the included cable, eliminating the need for separate power adapters and reducing cable clutter, though users can still plug it into a wall outlet if preferred.
Under the hood, the Fire TV Stick 4K features 8GB of internal storage and a quad-core 1.7GHz processor. It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and LE, alongside various display standards. The device handles 4K, 1080p, and 720p resolutions at up to 60 frames per second and runs Amazon’s Vega operating system with integrated Alexa+ features.
Alongside the hardware, Amazon unveiled a new remote with a distinct ergonomic design. The top edge is flat and straight, while the bottom is curved and weighted, allowing users to orient the device by touch alone. The home button now features a metallic surface for tactile identification, and other controls like power, microphone, and back buttons have unique shapes or indentations. A customizable star button, previously reserved for premium controllers, is now available on this model, allowing users to program shortcuts for apps or settings such as closed captioning.
Looking ahead, Amazon also previewed the Fire TV Remote Plus, slated for release early next year. This higher-end model will feature an aluminum chassis, backlit buttons, and compatibility with the Find My Remote service, replacing the Alexa Voice Remote Pro.
Amazon is also streamlining its product lineup by removing the “Select” and “Plus” designations from its 4K stick offerings. The new Fire TV Stick 4K is available for pre-order now and will begin shipping in late October in the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand. It carries a standard retail price of $60, but will be discounted to $30 during the upcoming Prime Big Deal Days event. The accompanying remote is also sold separately for $15.
Does this actually support Wi-Fi 6 properly, or is it just another buzzword? Hoping for better stability with my mesh network.
I’m skeptical about the speed claims. Can Amazon back this up with independent benchmarks, or is it just marketing fluff again?
Thirty bucks during Prime Day? That’s a steal. My old Stick 4K was getting sluggish, so I’m definitely upgrading.
Finally, a remote you can identify by touch alone. My kids will thank you for the weighted bottom edge!