COMPARATIVE: Are Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen worth it?

Gone are the days when streaming devices (or dongles) were used solely and exclusively to “transform” TVs with HDMI input into smart TVs. Pairing functions with the cell phone application, the application store, easy access to the services you subscribe to and integration with the smart home are features that did not take long to appear in these gadgets. TV boxes (or smart TV boxes) also entered this race, adding certain functions to the traditional television standard.

Having as main highlight the intuitive interface, the Fire TV Stick da Amazon unifies apps, devices and services, arriving in 2021 with a software update and the release of two versions: the Fire TV Stick 3rd generation and Fire TV Stick 4K. For a few days we were able to test both products and we tell you here in this review what we thought of this experience.

highlights and design

Except one support resolutions 4K and another Full HD, both 2021 Fire TV Sticks are identical in their specs. Both come with a remote control with voice commands that can also control the TV (turn it off and on), are compatible with HDR imaging technologies (and HDR 10, HDR10+ and HLG variants), have 8 GB of storage, a quad-core processor and support audio Dolby Atmos. On the outside, the only difference is that the Fire TV Stick 4K is 9,9 cm wide, while the other is 8,6 cm.

In the packaging of each we have a standard of content: the Fire TV Stick, controller (same in both models), two toothpick batteries, a USB-A to socket adapter, the USB-A/micro USB cable and an HDMI extender to suit to your TV's HDMI output – essential for anyone with a wall-mounted TV with outputs at the back, not the sides.

As in other comparisons here on the site, including another duo from amazon, this review will address very similar points between the products, which would imply the repetition of points if the analysis was individual. In advance: because the interface, operating system and control are identical, Fire TV Stick 4K and Full HD (which we will call FHD) will be analyzed in a unified way except for the comparative section.

Installation and interface

The Fire TV Stick 4K and FHD first ask for the remote control to be paired (quite simple, as you just have to hold the “Home”) and then ask you to login to the Wi-Fi network. Then the software is updated, without you having to select any prompt. About 15 minutes later, you can log in to your Amazon account to have the system recognize other devices – access via a web browser, something that should exist on literally every type of remote-controlled device, which saves you from type letter by letter.

Fire TV Stick 4K asked if it could save Wi-Fi login information, which I accepted. The weird thing was connecting the FHD Stick a few days later and it asked the same question, as if I hadn't saved it to my account before. By the way, the Fire TV's power is through the micro USB connection with the included cable. You have the option of plugging into the outlet or plugging into the TV's USB-A, if available. The plug adapter has an identical shape to what we see in the smart speaker line, such as the Echo Show 10.

For the tests I used a smart TV from LG released late last year, and even then the Stick didn't have enough power for USB power. In this case, I have a stabilizer (which also acts as an extension) connected to the TV and, oddly enough, even with two free inputs, the robust adapter of the Amazon didn't fit. I would need an additional extension cord or one more outlet if I wanted to use the adapter provided in the package. The most astute solution was to make everything work with a cell phone adapter from Samsung (USB-A).

out the Prime Video, none of the apps whose shortcuts were on the controller itself came pre-installed – yes, there is zero logic. I had to download so much Netflix , the Disney + manually, as pressing the buttons will redirect you to the Fire TV Stick 4K app store. Interesting: when you turn on the Stick for the first time, you can choose apps to install, but none of the controller shortcuts are in this preview list. The connection can be made on both 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks, it's up to the user's taste.

After searching for content, reproduction is not immediate, which I found extremely positive. You are taken to a second screen, with synopsis, option to add to playlist, view trailer, similar movies (seen by “Clients“) and best of all: the list of actors along with the films that participate (and are available on their services). If you choose a movie that is on more than one service, both are shown.

The Library menu opens all the content you add to the list, regardless of whether it is from another streaming service, in addition to your (current) list of Prime Video. Therefore, films that I included in 2018 on Prime were the last ones on the list, while new series from Netflix newly added by me were first. Furthermore, the player Amazon Music has its own list in sync with the app itself. It also plays music even when you go back to the menu or let the Fire TV go into sleep screen.

Day-to-day use

The best feature of the Fire TV Stick controller is the power to turn the TV on and off. We have a single control to select the content you want, increase and decrease the volume and also control the TV itself. Among others dongles recent years, this becomes a strong point – precisely because it is something rare. The icing on the cake was the recognition of the smart bulb that was already paired with my Echo Dot third generation.

I cannot deny it: the integration to the intelligent ecosystem of Alexa was another practical point. My Echo Dot is on the rack next to the television, so I was able to ask the system to turn on the TV (which was already the case before the Stick) and play a specific movie right away. While the absence of voice commands hands-free (i.e. without needing to touch the controller) persist as a new luxury smart TVs, this is solved for those who have a smart speaker at home.

I didn't notice any problems with signal drop due to having the modem installed less than 3 meters from where the Fire TV Stick 4K and FHD were. However, anyone who needs a signal repeater or does not have stable internet access in the room can take advantage of the additional ethernet adapter from the manufacturer, sold for just over R$100.

Testing Fire TV Stick 4K and FHD with the same controller, I had no problems. The system only asks to pair with each Stick. Not once during the tests did the system fail to recognize the commands, which surprised me. For voice commands I had no errors speaking in a conversational tone, with the control subtly tilted (half a meter away from the face). Even more than a meter away, he still recognized orders to open apps and other simpler ones, also without choking. Movie titles and long sentences were not effective in this second, more extreme scenario.

The Sticks' weakest point was the system Alexa in these more complex orders as a whole. I noticed some conflict of commands when Echo Dot and the control. For example, "Open Stranger Things on Netflix” results in Netflix open in the navigation menu. Saying the same to the controller, play is given on the first episode instantly. "Play Without Remorse on Prime Video” worked the same way on both, though.

When I asked forsearch for Stranger Things on Fire Stick“, the Echo’s Alexa responds that she couldn’t find a skill called Firestick. "Open Mulan on Disney Plus” displays the search in the system, with the Mulan original and the live action next to. It is worth noting that the Disney + had less problems overall with voice commands for the Echo. He opened, for example, Avengers: Infinity War right where I left off, without redirecting to the Fire TV Stick 4K system “hub”.

Conclusion and value for money

O Fire TV Stick 4K can be found for sale officially na amazon por R$426,55. O Fire TV Stick FHD comes out at a slightly lower price, from R$360,05 on Amazon. To recap: in our tests, the effectiveness of both was identical. None of them had problems with signal drop (2.4GHz and 5GHz), or loss of connection between the Echo Dot. They were even consistent in recognizing smart gadgets in the room without a hitch. Really the only difference is the image resolution desired by the buyer, 4K/UHD or 1080p/Full HD.

By having the opportunity to test other direct competitors such as Roku Express and My TV Stick (and owning a chromecast old), I can say that the Fire TV Stick interface conquers. The initial settings were simple and the control that can turn the TV on/off is truly a strong point that frees the user from having to have more than one control at hand. Also recommended for owners of Amazon speakers, since synchronization with the connected home is performed right after installing the Stick.

So, did you like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or do you prefer Full HD? Tell us in the comments below!

Technical specifications

Fire TV Stick 4K

Fire TV Stick