Alright, streaming enthusiasts, listen up! Amazon has just dropped the second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and it’s making some serious waves in the home entertainment world.
This upgraded device isn’t just an incremental improvement; it’s a compelling option for anyone looking to boost their TV’s smart capabilities without breaking the bank.
A Clear Path to 4K Streaming Dominance
For a while, the streaming landscape had a formidable contender in the original Google Chromecast with Google TV. That device often edged out Amazon’s first-generation Fire TV Stick 4K Max in critical areas like picture and sound.
However, the tables have turned dramatically. Google has since discontinued that award-winning streamer, replacing it with a new model that’s nearly double the price and, frankly, not quite as good.
This strategic shift from Google created a perfect opening for Amazon. They’ve seized the moment, delivering an upgraded streaming stick that easily undercuts its new Google rival.
Today, the second-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, with its enhanced performance and attractive pricing, emerges as one of the most straightforward purchases in the AV market.
According to What Hi-Fi?, this new Fire TV Stick 4K Max is “fuss-free and effective 4K HDR streaming,” making it an easy recommendation.
Price and Value: Timing Your Purchase
The official price tag for the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation) comes in at £70 / $60 / AU$120. This marks a slight increase from its predecessor’s launch price of £65 / $55 / AU$99.
While a minor price bump isn’t ideal, Amazon is renowned for its aggressive discounting. You can often find their products heavily reduced during major sales events.
Keep an eye out during Prime Day, Big Deal Days, and Black Friday. Savvy shoppers might snag this streamer for closer to £50 / $40 / AU$89.
The market context truly highlights its value. Google’s new replacement streamer, the Google TV Streamer, costs a hefty £99 / $100 / AU$160.
That’s significantly more than the original Chromecast’s launch price and, crucially, much more expensive than the new Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
For those considering alternatives, Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K offers a lower price point at £50 / $50 / AU$110. However, What Hi-Fi? notes it hasn’t yet undergone their rigorous AV testing.
Design and the Remote: Familiarity with a Few Quirks
Physically, the new Fire TV Stick isn’t a radical departure from previous models. It maintains the familiar all-plastic cuboid shape with an HDMI connector extending from one end.
It essentially looks like an oversized USB thumb drive, but with nicely rounded corners. The dimensions, including the connector, measure 1.4 x 11 x 3cm.
Unfortunately, one design quirk from the previous generation persists: its tendency to hog space. It can still block adjacent HDMI ports on your TV.
Thankfully, Amazon includes an adapter in the box to help mitigate this issue, allowing for easier access to other ports.
Another surprising choice is the power socket. The device bafflingly continues to use Micro USB instead of the more widely adopted and convenient USB-C standard.
While it’s appreciated that Amazon includes a power adapter, sticking with an older connection type feels like an odd decision in today’s tech landscape.
Moving from the stick to the remote, Amazon bundles the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced. This is the same model found with the more premium Fire TV Cube (3rd Generation).
It’s a functional and comfortable remote to hold, featuring handy shortcut buttons for various streaming services. These specific shortcuts may differ depending on your geographical region.
One feature we wished for, however, is a “find my remote” function, which comes standard on the rival Google TV Streamer.
To get that capability, along with desirable backlit buttons, you’ll need to purchase the optional Fire TV Remote Pro separately.
Performance and Features: A Feast for Your Eyes and Ears
At its core, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has a singular mission: to bring smart 4K streaming capabilities to your television. And it executes this mission with a robust set of features.
The device shines particularly in its High Dynamic Range (HDR) support. It covers all the major formats, ensuring broad compatibility with modern TVs.
You’ll find support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. This comprehensive coverage means your streaming stick will integrate smoothly, regardless of your TV’s preferred HDR standard.
Whether you own an LG TV that favors Dolby Vision or a Samsung TV optimized for HDR10+, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max has you covered, ensuring optimal picture quality.
Beyond stunning visuals, the audio experience is equally impressive. The stick fully supports Dolby Atmos audio, providing an immersive, cinematic soundscape.
It also handles up to 7.1 surround sound, delivering a rich and dynamic audio experience for your movies and shows.
Key Takeaways from the 2nd Gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max
- Offers affordable and effective 4K HDR streaming.
- Supports all major HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG.
- Delivers immersive audio with Dolby Atmos and up to 7.1 surround sound.
- Comes with the comfortable and functional Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced.
- Benefits significantly from Google’s pricing strategy with its new streamer.
- Likely to see attractive discounts during Amazon’s major sales events.
- Still uses Micro USB for power, a curious choice in 2023.
What Happens Next
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation) arrives at a pivotal moment. With key competition effectively clearing the path, it stands out as a strong recommendation for many.
It delivers excellent 4K HDR performance and a solid feature set for its price, particularly if you can snag it during a sale. It truly makes upgrading your streaming experience a straightforward decision.