Amazon unveils a thinner and faster Fire TV Stick 4K, plus a new remote
It will cost $30 during promotional events and retail for $60 otherwise.
Amazon has unveiled a new Fire TV Stick 4K as part of a new generation of streaming hardware. The company also redesigned its remote control and updated its interface to better integrate Alexa features. Furthermore, Amazon is streamlining the Fire TV Stick lineup by removing the "Select" and "Plus" labels that previously distinguished its multiple 4K dongles.
Performance Improvements
According to the company, the new Fire TV Stick 4K is significantly faster than older models and comparable competing devices. Amazon states that the newest dongle turns on faster, apps launch over 35 percent faster, and content starts playing nearly 20 percent faster.
The company also tested the Fire TV Stick 4K against the built-in operating systems of three 4K smart TVs from top-selling brands, finding that content playback initiated more quickly on the external streaming stick.
The device features a slimmer profile similar to the HD model launched earlier in the year. It can draw power directly from a television USB port using the included cable, eliminating the need to reach a separate wall outlet.
Internally, the Fire TV Stick 4K includes 8GB of built-in storage and a quad-core 1.7GHz processor. It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and LE, alongside various display standards and media formats. It plays resolutions up to 2160p at 60 frames per second and runs Amazon's Vega operating system.
The new Fire TV remote features a curved, weighted bottom with more tactile buttons and controls. The top edge remains flat and straight, helping users quickly identify orientation by touch.
The new Fire TV remote
A notable hardware change includes a metal-surfaced home button for easy identification by touch. Other buttons feature distinct shapes and indentations. A customizable star button allows users to program shortcuts for preferred apps or specific settings such as closed captioning.
The remote can control basic television settings such as volume and power, compatible with Fire TV streaming media players launched from 2019 onward.
Amazon also announced a forthcoming Fire TV Remote Plus scheduled for early next year, featuring aluminum housing, backlit buttons, and integration with the Find My Remote feature.
Pricing and Availability
The Fire TV Stick 4K is available in the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand. It retails for $60, and the bundled remote is also available separately for $15.
The hardware is available for pre-order and shipping is slated to begin in late October.
