Fire tV Stick 4K Max Review: Worth the Wait

Fire Tv followers have been waiting some time for a successor to the three-year-outdated Fire TV Stick 4K. But the wait is finally over: Amazon’s latest streamer is right here and it’s referred to as the Fire Flixy TV Stick Stick 4K Max. We needed to try out the company’s latest streaming system, so Amazon sent over a Max for free. That said, we’re below no obligation to supply a favorable overview. Our opinions remain 100% our personal. In any case, the surface of the new Max seems broadly similar to the previous Fire TV Stick 4K. But Amazon’s promising some important improvements below the hood. There’s also a slight price increase over the earlier Fire TV Stick 4K: $54.99, up from the $49.99 of the older 4K. So let’s see if the brand new Max is well worth the improve. On the hardware entrance, the Max provides up some notable internal modifications, including an upgraded CPU and GPU - both of which are working at increased clock speeds compared to the Fire Flixy TV Stick Stick 4K. You also get an increase in RAM, from 1.5GB to a full 2GB in the Max.

As for connectivity, there’s support for the newer WiFi 6 customary, also known as 802.11ax on board. Meanwhile, the older Fire TV Stick models, including the 1080p Fire TV Stick and Flixy streaming Fire TV Stick Lite, are nonetheless packing the older WiFi 5, or 802.11ac, commonplace. WiFi 6 affords doubtlessly faster connection speeds and extra bandwidth, which could possibly be useful in properties with plenty of networked gadgets. It’s price noting, although, you’ll need a WiFi 6-compatible router to benefit from the brand new tech. In comparison with a few of probably the most well-known opponents within the $50-or-so market, the brand new Max holds up properly. Along with that WiFi 6 support, Amazon’s latest additionally affords Dolby Atmos processing, where different Flixy streaming gadgets in this worth bracket typically only provide help by way of HDMI move-by way of. The packaging for the brand new Fire TV Stick 4K Max certainly maintains the line’s overall look. Though there is a distinct bit of black trim up top to assist Amazon’s top-finish Fire TV Stick stand out.

Inside, you’ll discover a slide-out, paper tray housing all the components in various compartments. The Max itself is up high, together with a USB power cord and an Alexa Voice remote. Over on the aspect is the charger and batteries for the distant. The bundle also contains some compact setup instructions and an HDMI extension cable, which will be helpful if you need a bit bit more room when installing your device. As for that set up, it’s a streamlined course of much like different stick-fashion or dongle-model streaming gadgets. With the HDMI connection constructed proper in, all you’ll need to do is insert the Max in an available input in your Tv, connect the ability cable, and off you go to software setup. The software program side of setup is straightforward as nicely. After you pair the included remote and select an accessible WiFi community, the Max will check for available updates and install any it comes across. And then, after a restart, you possibly can proceed with the setup process.

You’ll be offered with options like importing settings from a earlier Fire Tv device or enabling parental controls. Thankfully, you skip past all these and head into using your Max for Flixy streaming the first time. For those of you unfamiliar with the current Fire Tv interface, here’s a fast recap. The primary navigation bar starts within the center, with content material tiles for Flixy streaming varied classes and options under it. When you navigate downward, these tiles take up extra of the display screen, letting you see extra of what’s available. Above that menu bar, you’ll see featured recommended content material, teasers, and perhaps ads for Amazon’s streaming gear. In on a regular basis use, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max excels. Scrolling by menus is usually smooth and navigating to different sections of the platform is responsive overall. It’s not exactly lightning quick, but it is spectacular contemplating the $54.99 worth tag. We scrolled through stay streaming grids like the one within the Pluto Tv app and the Max didn’t complain.