Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: Unveiling the Ultimate Streaming Solution in a Smart TV Era

Amazon launched its inaugural Fire TV Stick in India in 2017. At that time, smart TVs were quite costly, with limited brands producing them, and the presence of over-the-top (OTT) streaming services was minimal. In this context, a device that plugs into any television via HDMI, providing access not just to streaming applications but also to games, was an attractive offer.

However, the landscape has undergone a tremendous transformation by 2024. On one side, the number of OTT platforms has surged significantly, presenting a wide array of exclusive content. Concurrently, smart TVs have decreased in price, and new brands have emerged, making them more widely available. According to a report from the Internet in India Report 2023, published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar, approximately 707 million users in India interact with OTT services. The total count of streaming platforms has also increased to 57, as reported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

In this evolving scenario, where the relevance of a third-party streaming device might seem diminished, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K was introduced. With a price tag of Rs. 5,999, this device supports 4K resolution (2160p) along with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and more. It also features the complete Amazon Appstore library, containing over 12,000 apps.

For the past two weeks, I have been utilizing the streaming device to assess whether its offerings are sufficient to maintain its significance in a market where it competes not only with various streaming devices but also with an increasing number of smart TVs that provide a similar integrated experience. Let’s delve into the specifics.

Design and Remote of Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The fundamental design established with the first generation of the Fire TV Stick has not undergone significant upgrades over time, and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K upholds this design philosophy. You receive the same matte black rectangular form (now with slightly rounded corners), featuring the Fire TV logo on the top and an HDMI port on the front. If the HDMI port presents any connectivity issues, an HDMI extender is included for additional flexibility.

The updated remote for Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

On the side, there’s a Micro-USB port designated for power. Certain TVs may have the capability to power the device via their USB port if it provides enough juice. My TV could not, so the included charger was beneficial, allowing me to connect it to a power outlet.

The remote control has also seen some enhancements compared to the previous Fire Stick 4K released in 2019. It now includes dedicated buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, and Amazon Music. Additionally, a fourth button provides direct access to installed applications. The live TV button and a dedicated Alexa button have replaced the former voice control button. Although the functionality remains consistent, I found Alexa to perform significantly better.

In a previous review, Gadgets 360 noted that if the content being searched was not from Prime Video, the virtual assistant would only manage to bring up the app, at best. However, now it can display content titles from Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Jio Cinema, and YouTube (which were the apps I used frequently). Other than that, the rest of the remote’s features are fairly standard.

When it comes to installation and operation, Fire TV is quite user-friendly. The setup process, including all system updates, took me approximately 15 minutes. All you need to do is connect the device to your TV, plug it into a power source, and follow the on-screen instructions. Essentially, it’s a device meant to be plugged in and then forgotten.

Interface of Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Operating on Fire OS, the user interface does not differ significantly from the conventional Android TV experience. It features a similar tile-based layout with a horizontal scrolling design that displays shows, movies, and apps. The sections include Home, Find, and Live TV, along with a user-friendly app library. The Settings icon is conveniently located at the top; since the remote lacks a dedicated Settings button, this placement aids in navigating options.

Interface of Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Amazon has a commendable recommendation algorithm that suggests content from various OTT platforms, even if they are not installed on your device. Users can view recently watched titles, recommendations from Netflix, complimentary movies and TV shows, and categories by genre. Nevertheless, being an Amazon product, there is a tendency to favor its own content. For example, only content from Prime Video is marked as 4K on the home screen. For other content, you must select the specific tile to view its details.

You can access Prime Video content directly from the recommendations on the home screen; however, for any other app, you will first encounter a description page. Furthermore, Prime Video predominates the upper portion of the page where featured content is displayed.

That said, I did not find this an inconvenience, as I regularly watch a substantial amount of shows and films on Prime Video. This integration facilitated my ability to discover new content and access it promptly. Users who do not prefer the Prime Video catalog might find alternatives like the Mi TV Stick or the standard Android TV/Google TV more suitable.

Overall, the interface is swift, responsive, and quite dependable over extended usage, with few glitches or performance issues.

Performance of Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Now, let’s discuss performance. On paper, this is the most potent streaming device that Amazon provides in India. It supports Wi-Fi 6 (across both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands) and Bluetooth 5.0. The device also handles HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio, complementing its 4K Ultra-HD video quality support, and it features 8GB of built-in storage.

Enjoying IPL 2024 finale with Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

For over two weeks, I have been using this device with my Redmi Fire TV and have been impressed by its consistent performance. Whether I was watching episodes of Shogun, enjoying the comedy-drama Laapataa Ladies, or binge-watching the Spy x Family anime, the video quality was clear and vibrant, with great distinction between lighter and darker areas. Even the darker scenes were well-illuminated and provided a fantastic viewing experience. Surprisingly, the OS performance of the Fire TV Stick 4K was more responsive than what I experienced with my built-in Fire OS.

However, it’s essential to note that 4K video streaming necessitates a fast internet connection, and the video may lag if the connection is inconsistent or slow. Furthermore, the overall video quality will depend on the television being used. It goes without saying that a high-end TV with 4K capability will deliver better visuals compared to one that lacks this feature.

Conclusion on Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

As mentioned earlier, my intention with this review was to determine whether the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K truly provides enough value to be deemed a relevant and essential purchase. After extensive usage, my response is an emphatic yes.

Even in an era where smart TVs are available for less than Rs. 15,000, they are not all created equal. Some exhibit poor memory, while others suffer from underwhelming OS experiences. With many consumers still utilizing older models lacking smart features, Amazon’s streaming device effectively addresses the need to upgrade reliable television hardware without compromising on software performance.

The Fire TV Stick 4K showcases robust performance with its interface, functionality, and audiovisual quality. More importantly, it delivers reliability. While I have encountered glitches with both my Redmi smart TV and my parents’ Sony Bravia, I have yet to experience any issues with this device. Navigating through various apps and watching shows and movies was a seamless experience. In my view, a solid streaming device should integrate into your viewing experience without drawing attention, and the Fire TV Stick 4K achieved exactly that.

If you do not possess a smart TV or are dealing with an aging smart TV that’s experiencing slowdowns, the Fire TV Stick may be an excellent means to extend your TV’s lifespan while maintaining a high-quality viewing experience.