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Apple TV 4K vs. Fire Stick 4K – What’s the best streaming stick?

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Apple TV vs Fire Stick TV
Apple TV vs Fire Stick TV
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The streaming service war continues between Apple TV 4K vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. However, no one can determine whether the Apple TV 4K or the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the superior option. Both can transform an ordinary TV into a smart TV & provide some control over the smart home. However, the best streaming gadget depends on more than a few capabilities. Apple TV 4K and the Amazon Fire Stick can Livestream some of your favourite content. However, the best option for you will depend on the ecosystem you’re most interested in as well as your personal tastes.

Furthermore, both devices have a simple setup and user interfaces, allowing you to instantly start viewing Netflix, Hulu, plus other streaming apps. The Apple TV & Fire Stick have several key distinctions despite their numerous similarities.

Overall Summary

Our Pick
 
4.5
4.5
$109.99
$39.99

The new Apple TV 4K looks like the same as the previous model, but with a few more buttons and a click pad. The original remote's trackpad has been changed by a circular clickpad that resembles the iPod wheel. It's a lot more gratifying and less fussy way of doing things than previously. The Apple TV 4K includes a new controller and a speedier CPU. It now supports up to 4K HDR at 60fps, up from 30fps in the previous generation. However, it does not come with an HDMI cable, which is disappointing, given how much more expensive it is. Apple added support for spatial audio using AirPods Pro and Max headphones for both Apple TV 4K boxes with the release of tvOS 15. This implies that you can now watch a Dolby Atmos movie using headphones. Stereo audio formats supported include MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, FLAC, WAV, and surround formats up to Dolby Atmos. Since its debut, HDR10+ has also been introduced.

The Amazon Fire Stick is the cheaper alternative to the Apple TV 4K. The Fire TV Stick 4K is a big, rectangular plastic bar with an HDMI connector at one end & a micro USB port on the other. It measures 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches, which is somewhat bigger than the conventional Fire TV Stick (HWD). A short, flexible HDMI extender allows you to adjust its angle. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K creates a clear and detailed image with rich colors that are also realistic and subtle. A little information is lost in the brightest and darkest areas, but the contrast is superb. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has superb audio quality with normal 5.1 and even stereo. This is a clean, precise, and expansive sound, regardless of the format. This is a room-filling sound with tremendous weight and drama. It will reward those who use an excellent sound system rather than their television's in-built speakers.


  • The picture and sound are both excellent.
  • An abundance of apps with excellent usability
  • Apple Fitness and Apple Arcade games
  • New, improved remote
  • 4K Capability
  • Supports All Major Streaming Services
  • Elegant Design
  • Access to Free Services
  • Easy to Set Up
  • Access to Amazon Prime Videos
  • Priced more than others
  • No HDMI cable included
  • Not noticeably better than first-gen
  • Limited Scope
  • No Unique Streaming Features
  • Constant Self Promotion
Our Pick
4.5
$109.99

The new Apple TV 4K looks like the same as the previous model, but with a few more buttons and a click pad. The original remote's trackpad has been changed by a circular clickpad that resembles the iPod wheel. It's a lot more gratifying and less fussy way of doing things than previously. The Apple TV 4K includes a new controller and a speedier CPU. It now supports up to 4K HDR at 60fps, up from 30fps in the previous generation. However, it does not come with an HDMI cable, which is disappointing, given how much more expensive it is. Apple added support for spatial audio using AirPods Pro and Max headphones for both Apple TV 4K boxes with the release of tvOS 15. This implies that you can now watch a Dolby Atmos movie using headphones. Stereo audio formats supported include MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, FLAC, WAV, and surround formats up to Dolby Atmos. Since its debut, HDR10+ has also been introduced.

  • The picture and sound are both excellent.
  • An abundance of apps with excellent usability
  • Apple Fitness and Apple Arcade games
  • New, improved remote
  • Priced more than others
  • No HDMI cable included
  • Not noticeably better than first-gen
4.5
$39.99

The Amazon Fire Stick is the cheaper alternative to the Apple TV 4K. The Fire TV Stick 4K is a big, rectangular plastic bar with an HDMI connector at one end & a micro USB port on the other. It measures 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches, which is somewhat bigger than the conventional Fire TV Stick (HWD). A short, flexible HDMI extender allows you to adjust its angle. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K creates a clear and detailed image with rich colors that are also realistic and subtle. A little information is lost in the brightest and darkest areas, but the contrast is superb. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has superb audio quality with normal 5.1 and even stereo. This is a clean, precise, and expansive sound, regardless of the format. This is a room-filling sound with tremendous weight and drama. It will reward those who use an excellent sound system rather than their television's in-built speakers.


  • 4K Capability
  • Supports All Major Streaming Services
  • Elegant Design
  • Access to Free Services
  • Easy to Set Up
  • Access to Amazon Prime Videos
  • Limited Scope
  • No Unique Streaming Features
  • Constant Self Promotion
Lasso Brag

Apple TV 4K vs. Fire Stick TV 4K – Price & Availability

Apple TV 4K vs Fire Stick TV 4K

A 32GB Apple TV 4K costs $179, while a 64GB model costs $199. You must spend $150 if you select the Apple TV HD 32 GB model. Finding a previous generation  Apple TV is a less expensive choice. The HD edition of the Amazon Fire Stick is $40, while the 4K version is $50.

Right now, the substantially less expensive option is the Amazon Fire Stick. It does, however, miss several characteristics and capabilities that the Apple TV 4K does not. The Amazon Fire TV Cube is a more powerful streaming device with many more options if you’re looking for a more comparable substitute. It costs $120, which is still cheaper than the Apple TV 4K, though.

Design & Build

Apple TV 4K vs Fire Stick TV 4K

When it comes to the Apple TV’s appearance, it has a compact, boxy shape and a matte black polish. It has a more compact and smaller plug-n-play architecture than the Fire TV Stick 4K, so it appears a little out of date and awkward in comparison. Having said that, while in use, the Apple TV box will sag around your TV or any other shell, taking up noticeable space. In that regard, the Fire TV Stick is disgusting and has more functionality. The Apple TV box, however, is also small; it is 10 cm square and 3.5 cm tall. Additionally, a voice-activated remote is available, eliminating the need to direct the remote at the set-top box.

The Fire TV Stick 4K is rather larger than the standard Fire TV Stick, measuring 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD). It is a simple, rectangular black plastic bar with a micro USB port and an HDMI connector over one edge. You may move it at a different angle if it’s just a little bit too wide to fit properly in a TV port thanks to a short, versatile HDMI extender.

Features

Apple TV 4K vs Fire Stick TV 4K

Regarding functionality, both Apple TV and Fire TV Stick prioritise video streaming, but they also provide a wide range of other functionalities that let them act as one-stop shops for all types of multimedia content. Both systems have a big emphasis on gaming, and both support Bluetooth controllers for gameplay. Apple provides every game you could ever want, which is underappreciated. Aside from gaming options, Apple TV and Fire TV Stick provide all media services. However, Amazon‘s cloud-based Luna service provides more top-tier AAA titles. Although memberships are necessary, the Apple TV is a gadget that may satisfy all of your entertainment needs thanks to services like Apple Fitness+ and Apple Music.

Additionally, both systems integrate voice assistants, enabling you to link and control a variety of smart home gadgets. In the end, the two devices are similar in terms of features, so your decision will probably depend on whether you like Apple’s or Amazon‘s environment.

Apple TV 4K vs. Fire Stick TV 4K – Video & Audio Quality

Apple TV 4K vs. Fire Stick 4K - What's the best streaming stick?

In recent years, video streaming has made tremendous strides. However, some of the more basic devices continue to produce images that have a computer-like look, with careless use of contrast and colour, as well as sporadic pixelation. Although it is a cheap stick, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a competent performer. Rich, realistic, and subdued colours are used to produce a picture that is clear and detailed. The image’s brightest and darkest sections suffer from a minor loss of pixels during processing, but the contrast is excellent, creating a presentation that is lively.

The Apple TV 4K, on the other hand, takes a step further by offering a more crisp and vibrant quality, capturing some of the brilliant and dark detail that the Amazon misses, and demonstrating crisper and more HD picture quality. Even if it’s not much, HDR video on the Apple TV seems more interesting and engaging. The Fire TV Stick’s compatibility with Dolby Atmos at this price point is a big plus, and the fact that it really has great audio is a pleasant treat. There is a lot of weight, drama, and excellent effect placement in this room-filling sound. The Fire TV Stick 4K also boasts excellent audio quality, including stereo and standard 5.1.

No matter the format, this sound is clear, accurate, and spacious and will reward listeners who utilise a quality sound system instead of their television’s built-in speakers.

Apple TV 4K vs. Fire Stick TV 4K – Services & Content

Apple TV 4K vs. Fire Stick 4K - What's the best streaming stick?

When it comes to content and services, both Apple TV and the Fire TV Stick include all of the premium streaming applications. Both apps feature well-known services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. However, the Apple Store has more than 15,000 apps available, which is a bit surprising given that Apple has strict guidelines that developers must adhere to in order to publish their apps on the Apple Store. Apple TV used to have a competitive advantage in terms of app availability because both HBO Max & Peacock were not available on the Fire TV Stick when it first launched. On the other hand, Fire TV Stick provides less apps and has about 12,700 apps available.

Nonetheless, now that both of these services have been included, Apple TV and Fire TV Stick may access high-profile content on the same level. The Amazon Fire TV Stick’s user interface contains adverts and frequently directs you to Amazon‘s own apps, which is a drawback. There’s no doubt that Apple’s design is more user-friendly and less intrusive overall; you’ll just get used to it.

Is Apple TV 4K worth it if one has a smart TV?

You don’t need Apple TV if you have a smart TV unless your smart TV doesn’t support the Apple TV app. If your TV doesn’t support the app, you’ll need an Apple TV device or a high-end streaming device like Roku or Fire TV to watch just Apple programmes.

Does Amazon Fire Stick 4K have to be plugged into the wall?

For the Firestick to work, there must be an electrical supply. Your Firestick may be charged by plugging it into a regular power outlet or by attaching it to a different USB port on your television. Both are good options, but one could be better for you and your TV setup.

Conclusion

Given that Apple TV and Amazon Fire Stick both deliver a variety of capabilities, your choice of device will likely be impacted by pricing and how much you adore the Apple community. The Fire TV Stick 4K really offers greater value for money because it is far more affordable than an Apple TV with comparable features. The Apple TV’s compatibility with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, however, could be well worth it if you’re already a part of the Apple ecosystem. You can’t go wrong with either gadget, but the Fire TV Stick clearly outperforms the competition in terms of pricing and feature set.

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