The Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) is the latest iteration of Amazon’s beloved streaming device, promising a top-tier streaming experience. Compared to the previous model, the 2nd generation stick runs a speedy quad-core 2GHz processor and adds Wi-Fi 6E support, which is neat but not necessarily a game-changer. It also includes the new Ambient experience, with handy widgets for weather, calendar, etc. Fun addition, Amazon recently launched a new art-generative AI feature to create backgrounds based on prompts and only limited by your imagination.
Read also:
- What is the Fire TV Ambient experience? (Amazon)
- Fire TV now has AI-generated backgrounds (Streaming etc.)
Performance and Features
The good: This little stick is very capable, zipping through menus and launching apps with ease thanks to its upgraded processor (2GHz vs 1.8Ghz previously). And with 16GB of memory, it’s another step up from its predecessor. More subtly, the Wi-Fi 6E works flawlessly and better if you have the right setup. The picture is sharp with good detail, and it supports all HDR formats; the same goes for audio, but from what I had read, it seems to be a hit or miss depending on the apps. My experience as a non-audiophile has been satisfying with my good old Focal Soundbar. I wish I’d be able to say as much about the streaming:
The bad: Deceptively, I experienced noticeable stutters while watching 4K content. Maybe not enough to be a deal-breaker, but still very unpleasant and not a common issue on competitors’ devices. Like the Fire Cube (see our review), I would have loved an AI upscaling feature or the underwhelming “super resolution” present on the Cube at the very least. The colors with Plex specifically seemed less vibrant than what I’m used to on the Shield, not sure if it has something to do with the app or maybe just a false impression.
Read also: Fire Cube TV 4K Review (Streaming etc.)
The ugly: I also suspect the Stick is having some serious troubles handling Bluetooth correctly. I didn’t manage to make the very common Bose QC35 II work (no sound at all, even after a restart and countless new pairing attempts). Worse, there was a noticeable audio delay (!!!) that their audio/video sync feature couldn’t fix.
If you’re used to the Fire TV ecosystem, it won’t be a surprise, but it’s worth noting Amazon includes Ads and pushes tons of their own content. I don’t mind that much but still a bad surprise compared to most of the competition.
Read Also:
Full Specifications + Models Comparison
| Size | 99 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm (only housing), 108 mm x 30 mm x 14 mm (including the connector). |
| Weight | 43.5 g |
| Processor | Quad-core 2.0GHz |
| GPU | 850 MHz |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Wifi | Wi-fi 6E tri-band: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz). |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 + BLE. |
| Voice Support | Yes, with the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced (included) or free Fire TV app (available for download on Fire OS, Android, and iOS). |
| IR device control with included Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced | The included Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced can control Fire TV Stick 4K Max and certain functions (such as power and volume) on a wide range of compatible IR-enabled devices, including TVs, soundbars and A/V receivers. Note: Certain functions may not be available on some IR-enabled devices. |
| Cloud Storage | Free cloud storage for digital content purchased from Amazon. |
| Ports | HDMI 2.1 output with ARC input support, micro USB. |
| Audio Support | Dolby Atmos, 7.1 surround sound, 2-channel stereo, and HDMI audio pass through up to 5.1. |
| 4K Support | To watch movies and TV shows in 4K Ultra HD, you need a compatible Ultra HD TV. All services may not be available in 4K/HDR. Certain services are subject to change at any time, may not be available in all areas, or in 4K/HDR, and may require separate subscriptions. Learn more about services. |
| Content formats supported | Video: Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9, AV1;Audio: xHE-AAC, AAC-LC, AAC+, eAAC+, AAC-ELD, MP3, AMR-NB, FLAC, PCM/WAV, Vorbis, Dolby AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC), Dolby AC4, Dolby MAT, Dolby TrueHD pass-through, MPEG-H pass-through, DTS passthrough, DTS-HD passthrough (basic profile);Photo: JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP. |
All models compared:
Design and Build
It’s the same Fire TV Stick design we know: Compact and easy to take on the go, but it hasn’t slimmed down or switched to USB-C, which would have been a welcome change. The included Alexa voice remote is anecdotal, but if it’s your thing, it works.
bottom: Fire TV stick
side view
I would have (really) appreciated the ability to power the stick through USB instead of an AC adapter, which seems idiotic for a Stick that hides nicely behind your TV to need yet another ugly wire sticking out. Hopefully, you have a socket nearby. Alternatively, you can purchase a USB Power Cable Adapter for ~$15 and plug the USB directly into your TV.
A detail maybe, but chances are you won’t be able to plug the Stick directly into your HDMI port because of the other devices plugged in. Amazon provides an adapter to make it possible, which is a confession for a not-so-well-thought-out design.
Conclusion
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has plenty of power and features for a relatively modest price. If you’re deep into the Amazon ecosystem and want the latest and greatest, it might be worth the purchase or upgrade. If you are happy with your current streaming setup, you might want to stick with what you’ve got.
Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)
In the world of streaming sticks, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) is a strong contender but not a champ. It’s a solid choice for Amazon loyalists and probably the best bang for your buck on the market if you are ready to compromise on a few features.
Pros
Performance: Fast processor, HDR support, Wi-Fi 6E, the stick has it all
Great Value: For just $55, it offers plenty
Cons
No real improvements
Lacks of AI upscaling