When Amazon announced Vega OS last year — its new Linux-based operating system that doesn’t support sideloading — many feared it would eventually replace Fire OS, the Android-based platform Amazon has used on Fire TV Sticks and Fire TVs for more than a decade.
At the time, Amazon tried to calm those concerns by saying it was now a “multi-OS company” and would continue updating both Vega OS and Fire OS side by side. So far, that’s been true, with both operating systems continuing to receive updates, including the newly redesigned Fire TV interface.
But despite that, Amazon has also made several decisions that have pushed some Fire TV Stick users toward rival platforms like Google TV. Most notably, the company recently confirmed that all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS. That transition is already underway, with the new Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Fire TV Stick HD running Vega OS instead of Fire OS.
However, despite Amazon’s growing focus on Vega OS for Fire TV Sticks, the company is still actively developing new versions of Fire OS as part of its “multi-OS” commitment. In fact, Amazon recently revealed through developer documentation that it’s working on Fire OS 16, its newest Android-based operating system (via AFTV News). Unlike previous versions, though, Fire OS 16 appears set to be reserved exclusively for smart TVs.
Fire OS 16 could launch next year
Fire Sticks will sadly miss out
Amazon says that Fire OS 16 “incorporates updates from Android 15 (API 35) and Android 16 (API 36).” In other words, it should include meaningful performance optimizations and, since it’s newer overall, help future-proof any device running it by providing a longer runway for app support.
As for when Fire OS 16 will actually launch, given that Fire OS 14 was announced at a similar time last year, and the first smart TVs to actually launch with it only came out earlier this year, including the Hisense U7 and TCL QM54L, there’s a strong possibility that we won’t actually see Fire OS 16 running on any smart TVs until 2027.
…while it’s nice that Amazon is developing Fire OS 16 and keeping Fire OS alive, the major downside is that many people will never actually be able to use it on new devices, all because of Vega OS.
But the biggest bummer, as you might guess, is that Fire OS 16 won’t be coming to any new Fire TV Sticks due to Amazon’s shift to Vega OS for “enhanced security.” Additionally, Amazon never updates the OS version on existing devices, so older Fire TV Sticks running Fire OS 7 or 8 won’t get Fire OS 16, effectively blocking all Fire Sticks, old and new, from getting it.
So, while it’s nice that Amazon is actually developing Fire OS 16 and keeping Fire OS alive, the major downside is that many people will never actually be able to use it on new devices, all because of Vega OS.
There is still hope for one device
Could a new Fire TV Cube save the day?
While all future Fire TV Sticks will run Vega OS and Fire OS will continue to live on smart TVs, there’s still one device Amazon hasn’t said much about yet: the Fire TV Cube.
The last time Amazon updated the Fire TV Cube was in 2022, with the third-generation model. It comes with 2GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos support, and costs $140. In many ways, it’s Amazon’s answer to devices like the Roku Ultra and Apple TV 4K.
If Amazon uses Fire OS on a new Fire TV Cube, it could help win back some Fire TV enthusiasts who’ve drifted to Google TV after becoming disillusioned with Fire TV because of Vega OS.
It’s been four years since the last Fire TV Cube debuted, and, as AFTV News points out, if there’s one device that still has a case for running Fire OS instead of Vega OS, it’s this one.
If Amazon uses Fire OS on a new Fire TV Cube, it could help win back some Fire TV enthusiasts who’ve drifted to Google TV after becoming disillusioned with Fire TV because of Vega OS, while also helping the Fire TV Cube compete more effectively against devices like the Google TV Streamer and Onn 4K Pro, both of which run Android-based Google TV.
Amazon hasn’t officially announced a new Fire TV Cube or hinted at plans to do so, so nothing is confirmed, and it’s impossible to say when one will come — if ever. But with Fire OS 14 now rolling out and Fire OS 16 in development, I think there’s still a chance a future Cube could run Fire OS. Though unfortunately, I also wouldn’t be surprised if Amazon opted to cram Vega OS onto a future Fire TV Cube as well, as it’s doing with Fire TV Sticks.
- Dimensions
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86 x 86 x 77 mm
- What’s Included
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Power cable, Fire remote
- Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi 6E Tri-band. Also supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
The Fire TV Cube is the most powerful in Amazon’s streaming devices lineup. It’s faster than it was before, offers improved connectivity, and the hands-free Alexa experience is solid.
