Anyone using Amazon fire stick 4k or 4k max? Prices seems very competitive as compared to apple tv or Google TV streamer and hardware specs look pretty good. Is there a catch there? I don’t care for alexa ( wod prefer to disable it if I can) and also worries about ada but would be great to hear from someone using it on how the experience has been. How is the app ecosystem and how do plex and jellyfin perform for streaming over local network.
It’s pretty good if you can over look lags few times, basically support all streaming apps, support sideloading apps like vlc or kodi, support av1 hardware decoder and wifi 6, I use vlc with upnp server works well, with wifi, local streaming depends on your local network
4k Max
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is more powerful, with a faster processor and GPU, and supports Wi-Fi 6, while the Fire TV Stick 4K has a slightly older processor and Wi-Fi 5. The 4K Max also offers more internal storage (16GB vs. 8GB) and has a newer Alexa Voice Remote with more buttons. Both devices support 4K Ultra HD streaming and various HDR formats like Dolby Vision.
Amazon sells fire stick 4k (2nd gen) and fire stick 4k max (1st gen) in india, you can use any ai to compare specs i guess
Does the regular Fire stick hd have these features?
Edit: nope, only 4k does
Only found fire stick 4k (max is out of stock or unavailable)
Both 4k (2nd gen) and 4k max have 8 GB storage and wifi 6.
I have a Mi TV with 8GB storage and 6.8 gb already occupied with prime, netflix, ottplay and related apps, vlc, file manager, adding more apps further slows down whole experience.
Not sure how this works with Fire TV Stick. (if existing users can share there opinion, then it will be worth purchase on smart tv for me)
Though max is better in CPU/GPU
Homatics google certified cost like 3.5k if you are not hard set on firetv stick
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https://www.reddit.com/r/unRAID/comments/1f1o0is/amazon_firestick_4k_max_jellyfin/ - for jellyfin
https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/17j7udb/tested_the_new_firestick_4k_max_for_lossless_and/ -
Unless you debloat the hell of Amazon sticks - it will be a choppy experience, pair it with Nextdns.
if you want something custom - go for raspberry pi tvOS using Android- https://beebom.com/build-android-tv-box-raspberry-pi/ - much better controls
If you don’t want to tinker - get Apple TV 4k. Best streaming experience out there provided you are in the ecosystem.
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Was about to pull the plug for Apple 4k. But Waiting as new version is expected to get launched within a month which will have lot of improvements in hardware and also a better chip. So waiting for the launch.
Thanks guys. I think most of you gave me overview of the hardware which certainly looks better, at least compared to Google streamer but amazon is significantly cheaper. Based on generic reviews, apple tv seems to be better but it’s like 15k as compared to 6 for fire TV max. Wondering where the catch is. My question was for someone who is using the device and would be able to comment based on 1st hand experience on:
- How is the app ecosystem? Easy to get and update apps? How does sideloading work?
- How is the general browsing experience? Snappy or sluggish?
- If you have used multiple of such devices, how does fire stick compare?
- Does it show ads? Any way to disable them?
- Have you triedlocal streaming? Plex, jellyfin, kodi etc. how was the experience?
- Anyone has luck in flashing it with any other android rom?
Would be greatful for any thoughts.
Cheers
Using 1st gen FireTV 4k Max (1st Gen) since 2023. I can answer few of your basic questions.
- The app ecosystem is fine, you will get almost all the necessary apps in their App Store. Sideloading works without any issue. I have installed SmartTube, Adguard and Stremio. The SonyLIV app doesn’t work when Adguard is running in the background and for streaming to work I had to disable it.
- The general browsing experience is acceptable. The device runs some system updates every week which results in non perceived changes.
- Compared to the cheaper android box, this thing feels good.
- I haven’t seen any device specific obnoxious ads. But I am running Adguard as well.
- I haven’t done any local streaming but Stremio with Torrentio add-on works fine for 1080p streams. 4K rips are a different story. I am not subscribed to Real Debrid.
- No, I haven’t tried flashing any ROM.
My recommendation the Android TV box have their own perks, but the experience can never be compared with Apple TV. Just that I couldn’t afford it at that time. If possible get a 2nd hand Apple TV 4K (any gen).
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I have used both 4k max and apple TV. I feel the UI and clarity is better in Apple TV.
So currently I have settled with apple TV
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I am on the same boat, and waiting for the new Apple TV 4K for a while now. Any idea on when it might be released?
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Thanks a lot man. Appreciate it.
Thanks for the feedback man. appreciate it.
It’s been three years since the last Apple TV 4K launched, but a new model is almost here.
Rumours for the new Apple TV 4K indicate it will feature
- A17 Pro chip, up from the current A15 Bionic
- Apple Intelligence support
- Apple’s new N1 wireless chip
- and possibly a Center Stage camera
https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/14/new-apple-products-coming-this-week-october-launch/
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Don’t buy 4K max. In India, they didn’t release the latest version. The best version to buy in India is the 4K (2nd gen).
It supports all the audio codecs via plex/kodi. It is the best all round streamer right now. Performance is quite good as well.
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In my non-smart TV, I am using Fire Stick 4K for almost 5 years. I have to check which version it is and how old it is but it still works great even today.
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Thanks guys.
Can you also answer one stupid question, my TV remnote;s power button is lil finicky. does fire TV remote works for switchign the TV on and off too? If it can completely replace by existing TV remote, it a no brainer for me 