Amazon is introducing a new version of its Fire TV Stick 4K streaming stick alongside a new Fire TV Remote. The stick calls up content faster than the previous generation and can draw power from the TV’s USB port, while the redesigned remote’s key buttons can now be found by feel so you don’t even have to look down.
Fire TV Stick 4K delivers 4K resolution with compatible content and on compatible TVs along with a faster experience. From powering on to streaming, the new 4K stick gets content faster, says Amazon. It turns on faster, apps launch faster, and content starts playing more quickly. Amazon says it tested the speed of Fire TV Stick 4K against other brands as well as the built-in experience of three 4K smart TVs from top-selling brands and it was quicker than all of them. Is this really a problem that needed to be solved? Has anyone ever complained that boot-up time was too slow? Not really. Nonetheless, the faster you can go from powered down to binging your favourite show, the better.
Building on the Fire TV Stick HD that launched earlier this year, the new Fire TV Stick 4K employs a slimmer design. It also features Direct Power that allows you to power it up using the TV’s USB port and the included cable. That makes for a cleaner set-up without additional cables and easier to use while you travel.
The Fire TV Stick 4K is built with Amazon’s Vega operating system and comes with Alexa+ and the new Fire TV experience out of the box. Amazon has added over 2,000 more apps to Vega, including Spotify, Xbox, VLC, and a range of VPNs. That’s in addition to popular apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock (U.S. only), Tubi, Pluto, Instagram, and more.
The Fire TV Stick 4K comes with 8GB internal storage, a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor, and support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and Bluetooth Low Energy. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9, and AV1 video content formats and features 2160p, 1080p, and 720p output resolution up to 60 frames per second.
With the launch of Fire TV Stick 4K, Amazon is also streamlining its stick lineup to three clear tiers: Fire TV Stick HD is the most affordable option for everyday streaming; Fire TV Stick 4K will be the new core product, offering speed, value, and 4K resolution support; and Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the ideal option for gamers and home theatre fans with superior speeds, more storage, and premium features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Alexa+ Home Theater.
Amazon will continue to sell Fire TV Cube for enthusiast customers. Other existing models will continue to be available while supplies last.
As for the new Fire TV Remote, it was designed with more tactile controls so it’s easier to hold and navigate key buttons. The asymmetric shape consists of a flat top and curved, weighted bottom, designed to make it quicker and easier to tell which direction to hold it.
The home button now has its own distinct metal surface. Other buttons on the remote are indented or distinctly shaped to make finding them intuitive by touch alone.
Previously only available on Amazon’s more premium remote, the new Fire TV Remote has a customizable star button that you can set up so that it goes straight to your favourite app, or to toggle settings like closed captioning or Screen Magnifier.
Like all Fire TV remotes Amazon has shipped, it also has integrated TV controls so you can control your compatible TV, soundbar, and receiver with dedicated power, volume, and mute buttons. It pairs with all Amazon Ember TVs and all Fire TV streaming media players launched from 2019 to today.
With the redesign, Amazon will also launch the new Fire TV Remote Plus early next year. Featuring distinctive aluminum housing and backlit buttons, Fire TV Remote Plus will replace Alexa Voice Remote Pro.
Fire TV Remote Plus will also come with a built-in Find My Remote feature: say “Alexa, find my remote” and your remote will play a sound and lead you to it. The feature works with any compatible Alexa device, the Alexa app, or the Remote Finder button in the Fire TV mobile app.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is available in Canada for $79.99 and in the U.S. for $59.99, on sale for Prime Big Deal Days for half price at $29.99. The new Fire TV Remote is available for pre-order and will ship in late October for $14.99 in the U.S. Fire TV Remote Plus is expected to launch in early 2027.