Almost all televisions for sale today have an operating system with Internet access and apps, but depending on the model and brand, it may be somewhat limited or stop receiving support relatively soon, so a external media center like the Apple TV 4K (2022) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max are a very good solution. Which one should buy? We put them face to face.
Features Apple TV 4K (2022) VS Fire TV Stick 4K Max
specs | Apple TV 4K (2022) |
Fire TV Stick 4K Max |
---|---|---|
Dimensions and weight |
3.1 cm x 9.3 cm x 9.3 cm and 208 grams (214 grams the model with Ethernet) |
99 x 30 x 14mm (device only) | 108 x 30 x 14 mm (including connector); 48.4 grams |
Processor | RAM | Storage |
A15 Bionic | 4 GB RAM | 64 GB (128 GB for Ethernet model) |
Quad-core 1.8GHz MT 8696 processor | 2 GB RAM | 8GB of storage |
Video |
SDR with AVC/HEVC up to 2160@60 fps, Dolby Vision up to 2160@60 fps, HDR10+/HDR10/HLG with HEVC up to 2160@60 fps, H.264 and MPEG-4 |
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9, AV1 |
Sound |
HE-AAC (V1), AAC (up to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (iTunes Store), MP3 (up to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1), E-AC-3 (Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound) and Dolby Atmos |
AAC-LC, AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), FLAC, MP3, PCM/Wave, Vorbis, Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC) |
Operating system |
tvOS 16 |
fire OS 7 |
connectivity |
HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and IR receiver. Top model with Gigabit Ethernet and Thread support |
Wi-Fi 6, HDMI ARC, micro-USB (power), Bluetooth 5.0 and LE |
Remote control |
Siri Remote with Bluetooth 5.0, IR transmitter, USB-C for charging, TV control via CEC or IR, physical buttons for direction, pause/play, volume, mute and microphone for Siri |
Remote with volume and playback controls, Alexa button and four shortcuts to streaming platforms. You can control the volume and power on/off of the TV |
Others |
Siri, frame rate matching and native dynamic range, game controller support, HomeKit switchboard |
Alexa, frame rate and dynamic range matching, game controller support |
Price |
From 169 euros |
€64.99 |
2022 Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi) 64GB (3rd generation)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wi-Fi 6 and Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls)
- Design: Apple TV 4K (2022) and Fire TV Stick 4K Max have different design concepts. The first is more of a set top box and the second one dongle. Apple’s is a multimedia center that, although it can be hidden, is usually visible and because it is compact and elegant it is quite discreet, as well as not disturbing. Amazon’s is hidden behind the TV by connecting directly to the HDMI port. A priori, Apple’s multimedia center has advantages, but you have to opt for the superior model, since by offering more space you can put more connections, a more powerful processor, etc. But the company does not take advantage of it.
- Processor, RAM and storage:el Apple TV 4K is one of the most powerful multimedia centers on the market, and much more than the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, since it incorporates the A15 Bionic chip (the same one used in some iPhone 14) along with 4 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal storage. It is a pity that, as we will discuss later, the software does not accompany. The 4K Max is Amazon’s most powerful Stick with its quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. It is a device designed to consume streaming content, but the 8 GB can quickly fall short if we install many apps or use applications like Kodi, which end up accumulating cached data.
- video and sound: Both devices can play content on 4K high resolution with Dolby Vision high dynamic range format and Dolby Atmos soundwhich is what streaming video platforms are most committed to.
- Operating system: tvOS 16 is the operating system for Apple TV 4K, with a simple, intuitive and fast interface. Although you have access to the App Store to download apps and Apple Arcade to use as a game console, the software does not match its great power because it cannot be used in its entirety. Kodi, which is one of the most interesting apps for this type of device, cannot be easily installed on Apple TV 4K (2022), as it is easier to do on Fire TV Stick 4K Max with the Downloader app. The Fire OS interface is more visually appealing, but it’s ad-supported and ends up not being as nice.
- connectivity: both proposals have Wi-Fi 6 to be able to reach very fast wireless Internet speeds, but a compatible router is required, but Apple offers in the superior model, which is about 20 euros more expensive, Gigabit Ethernet to connect it by cable and not have connection problems.
- Others: although both options have the native frame rate matching functionwhere it works best is on Apple TV 4K (2022), and this is especially important for European users who also consume North American content to avoid the judder and that it is reproduced at the frequency in which it was recorded. On the Fire TV Stick 4K Max it only works well in the Amazon app, Plex and Kodi.
- Price: Apple TV 4K (2022) is an expensive device, starting at 169 euros. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is much cheaper, 64.99 euros.
Apple TV 4K (2022) VS Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which one to buy?
We are facing two of the most popular multimedia centers, especially Amazon’s, which is one of the best sellers. If you are going to consume content from video-on-demand sources like Netflix and Apple TV+, the Apple TV 4K (2022) is the best option (And more if we have devices like the iPhone or iPad, since we can send content via AirPlay 2, or that works as a HomeKit switchboard).
If you are going to use applications like Plex or Kodi mainly, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max It is totally valid, and it must be taken into account that it costs much less. In addition, Amazon is carrying out promotions almost every month and they lower it to approximately 40 euros, making it one of the most powerful and economical multimedia centers.
2022 Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi) 64GB (3rd generation)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wi-Fi 6 and Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls)
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