Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the newest model in the popular Fire TV Stick family, released on October 7th, 2021. The main difference between this stick and previous generation of the product is that this one supports 4K. However, it remains as compact and affordable as before. In this review, we will discuss the different features and characteristics of this exciting new device. To better understand its functionality, we will start by providing the device specification.
Device specification
| CPU | MediaTek MT8696 Quad-Core 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | IMG PowerVR GE9215 750 MHz |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| WiFi | WiFi 5: 802.11 b/g/n/ac WiFi 6: 802.11 ax |
| Ethernet | 10/100 External (sold separately) |
| Internal storage | 8GB |
| External storage | Native support via USB OTG |
| Operation system | Fire OS 7 (Android 9) |
| Architecture | 32-bit |
| Video resolution | 4K@60fps |
| HDR types | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision |
| Video decoding | H.265 (HEVC), H.264 (AVC), VP9, VP8, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, AV1 |
| Audio decoding | Stereo, PCM, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos |
Setup
Just like setting up any other Fire TV device, setting up the Fire TV Stick 4K is simple and works the same. Plug it into an HDMI port in your TV, connect the Micro USB connector into the stick, plug the USB cable into the AC power adapter, then follow the instructions on your TV to connect the stick to WiFi. After that, you can log in with your Amazon account, and you’re set.
You can easily install Kodi on Fire TV Stick 4K, and it works perfectly on this device. To start watching movies with Kodi, we recommend checking the Surfshark guide on how to watch movies on Kodi.
Performance
With a new quad-core 1.8GHz MT8696 processor and a 750MHz GPU, the Fire TV Stick 4K provides an excellent performance. Also, WiFi 6 was added with support for the faster 802.11 ax standard. It makes the stick more capable than the previous generation. The apps load quickly, and the interface feels responsive. Alexa responds quickly to queries, and you can reliably control the device with the voice remote.
Interface
The main menu is arranged in large rows of apps and media, both personally organized by you and suggested by Amazon, with recently accessed content displayed on the home screen. Many third-party apps and services are available, and the content is aggregated across those third parties and accessible with the search option. The interface is easy to navigate, and even if you didn’t use a Fire TV Stick before, it won’t take you long to master it.
Alexa Voice Remote
Fire TV Stick 4K comes with an Alexa voice assistant. By pressing the blue Alexa button on the remote and speaking into the mic, you activate the voice command. In addition to the Alexa button, the buttons on the remote include power, directional navigation and select, back, home, menu, rewind, play/pause, fast forward, mute, volume control, and TV guide button. The remote also has preset buttons for quick access to popular apps, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. This way, you get all the basic functionality expected from a remote.
Verdict
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a big advancement over the previous generation. With 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, the easy-to-use Alexa voice remote, responsive and quick to load interface and improved performance, it is a good choice for everyone who wants to buy an affordable media streaming device. Also, if you look for the best model from the Fire TV Stick family, then the 4K Max is the one you want.