At its fall event, Amazon launched two new Fire TV sticks with 4K Dolby Vision support and WiFi 6 or 6E as well as an inexpensive soundbar.
The second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max features an upgraded and faster 2.0 GHz quad-core processor along with support for HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It has double the storage (16GB) compared to its predecessor.
- "The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the industry’s first streaming stick to include support for Wi-Fi 6E, meaning customers with a compatible router can enjoy the smoothest streaming experience with lower latency, faster speeds, and less interference from other Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the home," said Amazon.
It is also getting the 'Ambient Experience', which can show pictures and art on your TV when you are not watching movies or series. There are currently more than 2000 free pieces of artwork
The second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max is available to pre-order now for $60 on amazon.com. It will start shipping on September 27.
The second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Photo: Amazon
Fire TV Stick 4K with WiFi 6
In addition, Amazon launched the slightly cheaper Fire TV Stick 4K, which features Wi-Fi 6 and an upgraded processor, making it roughly 30% faster compared to its predecessor, according to the company.
It too supports HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Both new Fire TV sticks support AV1 video decoding in addition to HEVC. DTS audio decoding is not supported.
The new Fire TV Stick 4K is available to pre-order now for $50 on amazon.com. It too will start shipping on September 27.
The second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Photo: Amazon
A Fire TV soundbar without Fire TV
Lastly, Amazon launched a 2-channel soundbar called the Fire TV Soundbar, which is a little confusing as the Fire OS is not actually built in.
Like other soundbars, it connects to TVs via HDMI ARC or eARC.
Amazon's soundbar is available now for $120.
2023 Fire TV Sticks – highlights
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Fire TV Stick 4K |
|---|
| Starting price | $59.99 | $49.99 |
| Processor | 2.0 GHz quad-core | 1.7 GHz |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Video | 4K Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | 4K Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, no DTS decoding | Dolby Atmos, no DTS decoding |
| Storage | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory | 2GB | 2GB |
| Ambient Experience | Yes | No |
| Remote | Alexa Voice Remote | Alexa Voice Remote |
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