By now, you’ll suppose that there are already sufficient streaming sticks, dongles, and bins to serve our wants. But simply as is the case with telephones, the machine by no means stops, as there’s all the time room for enchancment. This is the mantra that Amazon has been dwelling by, as evidenced by the corporate’s most up-to-date Devices & Services occasion, the place the Amazon Fire TV 4K Max (2023) was unveiled, alongside fairly a couple of different gadgets and bulletins. In my opinion, Amazon is doing the appropriate factor with its launch cadence, seemingly choosing a two-year launch cycle, versus simply releasing an up to date model every time. On the floor, the “new and improved” 4K Max appears to convey a couple of significant upgrades, however let’s take a deeper look that will help you resolve whether or not it’s price upgrading out of your current streaming gadget. Today’s finest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2023 offersAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023): Price and availability(Image credit score: Amazon)Amazon introduced the 2nd Generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max in September 2023 earlier than releasing it every week later. The announcement got here as a part of the corporate’s Devices & Services occasion, the place a wide range of different gadgets have been introduced. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) is priced at $59.99, which is simply $5 greater than its predecessor. However, choose Amazon Prime members might be able to save $20 when buying this new streaming stick, bringing it down to only $39.99. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023): What you will like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Arguably, the largest improve that Amazon delivered to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) is a rise in storage. Instead of the measly 8GB of storage that we see throughout lots of the finest streaming gadgets, you’ll now have 16GB to obtain much more apps and video games if you happen to so select. Perhaps extra importantly, this provides Amazon a bunch of wiggle room to supply updates, together with doubtlessly introducing new options. All the whereas, it additionally removes any issues about forcing you to delete issues simply to ensure your Fire TV Stick is up to date with the newest firmware.One factor that the additional storage does enable for is the brand new Ambient Experience that was first launched on Amazon’s Fire TV Omni QLED Series. Basically, it turns your TV right into a digital wallpaper, much like what you’ll discover with Samsung’s “The Frame” TVs. It’s enabled by default, and together with with the ability to use your personal Amazon Photos library, there are a collection of widgets that seem, which embody the next:Alexa WeatherCalendar and RemindersCookpad Recipe of the DayLive TVMusic and AudioSmart Home FavoritesSticky NotesWhat Should I WatchWhat to EatYour DeliveriesSome of those require a little bit of configuring, similar to setting which good gadgets you wish to seem throughout the Smart Home Favorites widget. But all-in-all, I’m joyful to see the Ambient Experience come to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), because it’s a significantly better various than simply having your TV flip off after a couple of minutes. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)While I contact extra on this within the subsequent part, I used to be genuinely stunned to see that Amazon has managed to optimize the software program to the purpose the place you’re not slowed down with all the adverts that seem. Perhaps this may be attributed to the upgraded 2.0GHz processor powering the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), or possibly it’s only a mixture of optimization, a sooner processor, and extra storage. Nevertheless, I’ve but to run into any stuttering, even scrolling via the infinite variety of motion pictures and reveals looking for one thing to observe. As for really controlling every thing, Amazon contains its Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced, which is designed to have the ability to management extra than simply the Fire TV Stick. Instead, you may as well use it (and Alexa) to regulate the quantity to your related soundbar whereas additionally together with a shortcut button to take you to the “Live TV” part. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023): What you will not like(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)If you return via any of my opinions of Fire TV gadgets from the previous few years, there’s one recurring theme that seemingly has no finish in sight. I do know that the world is run on commercials, however I used to be actually hoping that we’d have gotten a shock with an ad-free model of Amazon’s second-most costly streaming stick. I suppose I ought to’ve identified higher after my Fire TV Cube evaluation, however nonetheless. Amazon has thrown adverts in all places and anyplace it might, as is custom, that means you’ll see them in banners alongside the sort, apps which might be pre-installed, and within the varied sections that seem on the Home Screen. Some of those is likely to be genuinely helpful to have, similar to with the ability to have a bunch of Sci-Fi motion pictures on the prepared if you happen to can’t choose one thing. But be ready to see motion pictures that don’t have any enterprise being surfaced from the depths of the digital dumps. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)My favourite half in regards to the adverts is that there’s completely no approach to eliminate them. You can’t press the Menu button after which conceal these “sponsored” sections from showing, which is extraordinarily maddening. On the intense aspect, you possibly can a minimum of conceal or delete the pre-installed bloatware apps which might be clogging up the App Library.Digressing from the adverts for a bit, I used to be fairly stunned to see Amazon nonetheless utilizing a micro USB to USB-A cable in late 2023. It’s one thing I count on to see on the Fire TV Stick Lite and even the “regular” Fire TV Stick. However, I anticipated Amazon to convey USB-C to its higher-end streaming sticks, but it surely simply wasn’t meant to be. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)This isn’t actually that huge of an issue, a minimum of in the intervening time. Sure, Amazon ought to undoubtedly get with the occasions, particularly on a tool that prices as a lot because the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen). However, the bigger downside is definitely two-fold, with the primary being that your TV’s built-in USB-A port may not output sufficient energy for the streaming stick really perform correctly. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)After the preliminary setup, every thing gave the impression to be working simply advantageous with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max plugged into the LG C2 that’s hanging on the wall of my dwelling workplace. But each from time to time, I’ll see a notification telling me to plug the dongle into the included wall wort, one thing that’s not precisely all that doable with my present association.The different a part of the issue with micro USB is that this implies there’s nonetheless no approach to broaden the storage of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, even if you happen to wished to plug in a USB hub. It’s only a very head-scratching and irritating choice and is one thing that we shouldn’t have to fret about in 2023.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Lastly, I wished to circle again to the entire distant state of affairs. I complained earlier than about how Amazon didn’t embody its finest Alexa Voice Remote with its most costly streaming gadget. Well, that pattern is constant with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, as you’ll nonetheless need to spring for an additional $35 if you need the Alexa Voice Remote Pro. Considering that the associated fee distinction between the “Enhanced” and “Pro” remotes is barely $5, this seems like one other oversight, or is simply Amazon attempting to keep away from giving its customers the most effective out-of-box expertise? Part of my frustration with this choice comes right down to the shortcut buttons on the distant itself. The Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced contains shortcuts for Prime Video and Netflix, which make loads of sense. But you’ll additionally discover DirecTV and Peacock, that are two streaming providers that I actually wouldn’t have anticipated to see. The worst a part of all of it is you could’t customise the shortcut buttons, which is, once more, one thing reserved for the Pro distant. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023): The competitors(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)At $60, Amazon’s “most powerful 4K streaming stick” is priced only a bit larger than its closest rivals within the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and the Roku Express 4K with Voice Remote Pro. Both of those provide totally different viewing experiences, because the Chromecast clearly depends on Google TV, whereas Roku makes use of its personal interface to serve you adverts and supply entry to your streaming providers.However, Amazon has a reasonably large benefit over arguably the most effective Google TV gadget, because the Fire TV Stick 4K Max gives double the storage (8GB vs. 16GB), a sooner processor, and Wi-Fi 6E assist. Not to say that the 4K model of the Chromecast with Google TV is greater than three years previous at this level, however that would change within the close to future.Roku’s Express 4K with Voice Remote Pro simply debuted again in September 2023 and is definitely solely accessible from Amazon. You can’t even purchase it immediately from Roku, which looks like an odd choice. Nonetheless, the brand new Express 4K doesn’t provide issues similar to Dolby Vision or Dolby Audio, two options which might be each accessible on Amazon’s gadget. But we might argue that Roku’s Remote Pro is kind of a bit higher, and never simply because you possibly can really customise the buttons.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023): Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)You can purchase this if:You need probably the most highly effective Fire TV streaming stick.You don’t care about adverts clogging up your expertise. You want extra storage than what’s in your present streaming gadget.You have already got a bunch of Alexa and Echo gadgets.You shouldn’t purchase this if:You don’t really feel like coping with a bunch of adverts.You’re joyful along with your present streaming gadget.You wish to have the power so as to add or use your personal storage resolution.You’re on a budgetI really feel as if we’ve virtually reached the purpose the place Amazon’s streaming gadgets aren’t actually lacking a lot in the best way of options. Ignoring issues like all the adverts and even the distant, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) has been fairly darn good about dealing with all of my streaming wants.The query actually comes down as to whether you’re keen to throw $60 at Amazon to be able to have issues just like the Ambient Experience or compatibility with the most effective Wi-Fi 6E routers. And in case you are, I’d suggest ready a bit longer, as this may most likely be a scorching ticket merchandise when Black Friday and Cyber Monday roll round. But if you happen to’re studying this exterior of the vacation season and are in want of a brand new streaming gadget, I’d nonetheless suggest grabbing this one.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)
Those who need the most effective streaming stick, and are okay with ponying up the dough, may simply wish to try the brand new Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023).