Amazon launches new Fire TV Stick 4K, redesigned remote and Alexa+ upgrades

The stick is slimmer than earlier 4K models and can draw power directly from a TV's USB port with the included cable, so it no longer requires a power adapter. It runs Amazon's Vega operating system and includes Alexa+ and the new Fire TV experience out of the box. Internally, it has 8GB of storage, a quad-core 1.7GHz processor, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth Low Energy. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9 and AV1, and can output 2160p, 1080p and 720p at up to 60 frames per second.

Amazon says the new Fire TV Stick 4K is 20% to 40% faster from powering on to starting content than a similarly priced 4K streaming stick from another leading brand. The company says apps launch more than 35% faster and content starts playing nearly 20% faster. Amazon also says it tested the stick against the built-in experience of three 4K smart TVs from top-selling brands and found Fire TV Stick 4K played content faster than all three. TechRadar noted that the claims come from manufacturer tests, not independent testing, and that Amazon's comparison video is an animation illustrating its test data rather than footage of real devices.

The redesigned Fire TV Remote has an asymmetrical shape with a flat top and a curved, weighted bottom. Amazon says the design and more tactile controls make it easier to find buttons by feel in a dark room. The Home button has a metal surface, the microphone button is black and positioned at the top right with a slight dish, the power button is recessed, and the D-pad is flatter with a more tactile click. The remote also adds a customizable star button that can launch a favorite app or toggle settings such as closed captions or Screen Magnifier. It is compatible with all Amazon Ember TVs and Fire TV streaming media players released from 2019 onward, according to Amazon. The remote ships with the new stick and is sold separately for $14.99 in the U.S., with shipments starting in late October. Amazon plans a Fire TV Remote Plus for early 2027 with an aluminum body, backlit buttons and a Find My Remote feature that can make the remote play a sound when asked through Alexa; it will replace the Alexa Voice Remote Pro.

Amazon is simplifying its Fire TV streaming-device lineup to four models: Fire TV Stick HD, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Cube. The new Fire TV Stick 4K replaces the previous Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. Android Authority reported the Fire TV Stick HD at $39.99, while Engadget reported it at $35. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max remains at $84.99, and Engadget noted the Fire TV Cube was last updated in 2022 and cost $140 at launch.

On the software side, Amazon said Alexa+ will get a dedicated hub on Fire TV with personalized prompt suggestions based on a user's history. The assistant is gaining improved reasoning and can draw on subscriptions, watch history and real-world context such as awards, cultural references and events. Amazon said users can ask questions such as 'Alexa, find shows that were nominated for the recent Emmys but got snubbed' or 'Alexa, show me MCU films based on their in-universe timeline order.' The updated interface supports follow-up questions, threaded conversations and returning to older queries.

In the Fire TV mobile app, Alexa+ will be available for text and voice search. Users can share links to articles about shows and movies, and Alexa+ will add the titles mentioned to their watchlist. The assistant can also recommend movies or shows based on photos users upload, including locations, screenshots or posters. The mobile app will deep-link to streaming services so users can start watching on their phones immediately, and titles will appear in the Continue Watching row on TV for later resumption.

Amazon said the upgraded Alexa+ experience for Fire TV devices will roll out in the U.S. in November, starting with Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), Fire TV Cube, Amazon Ember TVs and TVs with Fire TV built in, including models from TCL and Hisense. The new Fire TV Stick 4K will receive the new Alexa+ features next year, when Amazon also expands them to other regions. The upgraded Fire TV mobile app will arrive later this year for U.S. customers, with the rest of the world following next year, according to Android Authority.

Fire TV is also adding integrated live content from more than 40 apps, including YouTube TV, Peacock, Tubi, Sling and DirecTV, according to Engadget. A Games Hub brings cloud gaming from Xbox, Luna and NVIDIA GeForce NOW into one place. Amazon is launching an updated Music app for Fire TV this fall, with music videos, podcasts and live concert and festival livestreams. Engadget reported these updates will roll out to Fire TV users in the U.S. later this year and to everyone else early next year.

Pricing for the new Fire TV Stick 4K is $59.99, but reports differ on the promotional discount for Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. Engadget and Android Authority said the stick will be available for $29.99, while TechRadar said it will fall to $39.99 during the sale starting October 6. TechRadar also said it had not confirmed discounts in other regions. The new 4K stick and remote were announced as part of Amazon's fall hardware refresh.

Editor's Summary

Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K, redesigned Fire TV Remote and simplified streaming lineup put speed, tactile controls and easier setup at the center of its fall hardware refresh. The company is also expanding Alexa+ across Fire TV devices and its mobile app, with the most advanced features arriving in the U.S. in November and elsewhere later. The rollout keeps Amazon competitive in streaming hardware while tying its devices more tightly to its AI assistant and content ecosystem.