When Amazon launched its new Vega OS-powered Fire TV Stick 4K last month, it made significant changes to its Fire TV Stick lineup. The new entry-level 4K streaming stick replaced both the Fire TV Stick 4K Select and 4K Plus, leaving just three models in the lineup: the Fire TV Stick HD, 4K, and 4K Max.
Given that Amazon had already refreshed the Fire TV Stick HD with Vega OS earlier this year, that leaves just the Fire TV Stick 4K Max as the last remaining model in the lineup running Fire OS. Unlike Vega OS, Amazon’s new Linux-based operating system, Fire OS is built on Android and supports Android apps, custom launchers, and sideloading. With Vega OS, however, all of that is no longer an option, something Amazon says it has done for “enhanced security.”
After recently reviewing the new Fire TV Stick 4K, I’ve been thinking a lot about the 4K Max. I’ve used it as my main streaming device for years now, and the new Fire TV Stick 4K really drove home just how great of a purchase it was, even all these years later. More importantly, it reminded me why I’ll be holding onto it for years to come.
It’s hard to beat the Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Amazon could soon replace it
When I initially bought the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for my living room TV, there were two main reasons I went with it: one, it was really cheap, and two, it was the most powerful Fire TV Stick available at the time. Now, two years later, both of those things remain true.
Even with the launch of the new Fire TV Stick 4K, the 4K Max remains Amazon’s most powerful streaming stick. It’s got the beefiest hardware, with 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM, double the memory of the new Fire TV Stick 4K. It also includes premium features like Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Wi-Fi 6E, all of which the new Fire TV Stick 4K lacks.
But most importantly, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max still runs Android. That means I can download Android apps from the Amazon Appstore, sideload apps, and even install custom launchers like Projectivy Launcher to customize the experience even further.
Unfortunately, Amazon raised the price of the 4K Max in June to $85, up $25 from its original $60 price tag, amid the ongoing memory shortage. However, Amazon still discounts it regularly, often bringing the price close to half off, so you can still pick one up relatively cheaply.
Amazon doesn’t update older Fire TV Sticks to entirely new operating systems, so devices already running Fire OS will stay that way.
There’s another reason I think the 4K Max is worth buying and holding onto: it’s now the last remaining Android-powered Fire TV Stick. Since Amazon announced earlier this year that all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS instead of Fire OS, it’s probably only a matter of time before the company releases a new 4K Max running its Linux-based operating system. That would mark the end of what I consider one of the best streaming sticks of all time.
Fortunately, Amazon doesn’t update older Fire TV Sticks to entirely new operating systems, so devices already running Fire OS will stay that way. In other words, the current 4K Max won’t suddenly lose its Android features because of Amazon pushing Vega OS now. And if you’re worried about Amazon cutting off software support anytime soon, whether you already own one or are thinking about buying one, that’s not something you need to worry about. The 4K Max still has plenty of life left in it.
Quiz
Fire TV Stick history
Trivia challenge
From its 2014 debut to 4K streaming dominance — how well do you really know Amazon’s Fire TV Stick?
HistoryHardwareStreamingFeaturesAmazon
In what year did Amazon first release the original Fire TV Stick?
Correct! Amazon launched the original Fire TV Stick in November 2014, initially as an invitation-only product before making it widely available. It was designed as a budget-friendly alternative to the full Fire TV box released earlier that same year.
Not quite. Amazon launched the Fire TV Stick in November 2014, following the debut of the larger Fire TV set-top box earlier that year. It quickly became one of the best-selling streaming devices on the market.
Which port does the Fire TV Stick plug into on your television?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick connects directly into an HDMI port on your TV, making it incredibly simple to set up. A separate USB cable is also included to provide power to the device.
Not quite. The Fire TV Stick uses an HDMI connection to plug directly into your television. This design keeps the device compact and ensures compatibility with virtually any modern TV.
Which Fire TV Stick model was the first to support 4K Ultra HD streaming?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick 4K, released in October 2018, was the first stick-form-factor Fire TV device to support 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. It was a significant upgrade over the standard stick lineup.
Not quite. The Fire TV Stick 4K, launched in 2018, was the first in the stick lineup to offer 4K Ultra HD support along with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. Earlier stick models were capped at 1080p Full HD.
What is the name of Amazon’s voice assistant built into the Fire TV Stick remote?
Correct! Amazon’s own voice assistant, Alexa, is integrated into the Fire TV Stick remote, allowing users to search for content, control smart home devices, check the weather, and more using just their voice.
Not quite. Amazon built its own voice assistant, Alexa, into the Fire TV Stick remote. Alexa lets you search for content hands-free, control compatible smart home devices, and access a wide range of skills beyond just streaming.
What is the name of Amazon’s own free streaming service that comes pre-installed on Fire TV Sticks?
Correct! Amazon Freevee (previously known as IMDb TV) is Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service that comes pre-loaded on Fire TV devices. It offers a wide library of movies and TV shows at no subscription cost.
Not quite. Amazon Freevee, formerly called IMDb TV, is Amazon’s free ad-supported streaming service that comes built into Fire TV Sticks. While Prime Video requires a subscription, Freevee is completely free to watch with ads.
Which budget-focused Fire TV Stick model was introduced in 2020, featuring a simplified remote without TV controls?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick Lite launched in 2020 as Amazon’s most affordable streaming stick. Its remote omits the dedicated TV power and volume buttons found on standard Fire TV remotes, keeping costs down for budget-conscious buyers.
Not quite. Amazon introduced the Fire TV Stick Lite in 2020 as its entry-level streaming stick. The Lite version’s remote drops the TV control buttons to reduce the price, making it an attractive option for first-time streamers.
Before being rebranded, what was the original name of the Fire TV Stick’s operating system?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick runs Fire OS, Amazon’s own operating system that is based on Android but heavily customised with Amazon’s own apps, services, and interface. It has been the backbone of all Fire TV devices since launch.
Not quite. Fire TV Sticks have always run Fire OS, Amazon’s forked version of Android that replaces Google’s services with Amazon’s own ecosystem. Despite its Android roots, Fire OS looks and behaves quite differently from standard Android TV.
Which connectivity standard did the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st Gen, 2021) introduce to the Fire TV Stick lineup for the first time?
Correct! The Fire TV Stick 4K Max launched in 2021 as the first Fire TV Stick to support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), offering faster and more reliable wireless connectivity compared to previous models. It also featured a more powerful processor than the standard 4K stick.
Not quite. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max, released in 2021, made history as the first Fire TV Stick to include Wi-Fi 6 support. This newer wireless standard delivers improved speeds and better performance in homes with many connected devices.
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The Fire TV Stick 4K Max has support until 2030
It’s going to hold up for years to come
When Amazon first announced Vega OS, it also said that it was now a “multi-OS company,” meaning it would continue supporting both Vega OS and Fire OS devices. To its credit, Amazon has followed through on that commitment so far, releasing its redesigned Fire TV experience on both operating systems earlier this year.
That commitment also means that despite the Fire TV Stick 4K Max running Fire OS, it still has a long runway of software support ahead of it, even though it was released in 2023 and is already three years old.
On its support page for Fire TV software security updates, Amazon says it plans to support the current Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) until December 31, 2030, which is still more than four years away. Ironically, despite being much older, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is guaranteed the same amount of support as the brand-new Fire TV Stick 4K, which launched in September and also has a support end date of December 31, 2030.
I’m not unplugging my Fire TV Stick 4K Max anytime soon.
All in all, I think this just goes to show that the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is still one of the best streaming sticks you can get. If you already own one, it’s absolutely worth holding onto for years to come. It’s got solid hardware, premium features, Android support, and a price that’s often much lower than what you’d pay for set-top streamers with similar capabilities.
Amazon will likely release a 3rd-gen version with Vega OS eventually, so the clock is ticking on the current Android model. So if you’re on the fence about picking one up and want an Android streaming stick, now might be the time to grab one before it’s replaced. As for me, I’m not unplugging my Fire TV Stick 4K Max anytime soon.
