In the era of streaming sticks, the battle of the flagship sticks, that is, Apple TV 4K vs Amazon Firestick 4K Max, continues. Nobody knows whether the Apple TV 4K or the
Additionally, both devices are simple to set up and have user-friendly interfaces, allowing you to start viewing Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services immediately. However, despite their many similarities, the Apple TV and Fire Stick differ in a few key ways. With Apple TV 4K and
What Will You See Here?
Overall Summary
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Our Pick
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3.5
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4.5
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$139.00
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$54.99
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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 Fire TV Stick 4K Max costs $54.99 and is often discounted to lower rates on limited deals days down to $34.99. Amazon's cloud-based Luna service offers a greater selection of top-tier AAA games. It supports all premium formats like HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. Also, it comes with Dolby Atmos support which delivers an immersive audio experience. The Fire TV Stick 4K is larger than the standard Fire TV Stick, measuring 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighing around 48 grams. Amazon's cloud-based Luna service offers a greater selection of top-tier AAA games. Video streaming has come a long way in recent years. However, some of the most basic devices continue to create images with a computer-like appearance, with sloppy use of contrast and color and irregular pixelation. Despite its low price, the Firestick 4K Max is a capable performer. Rich, realistic, & muted colors are used to create a clear and detailed image. The image's brightest and darkest portions suffer minimal pixel loss during processing, but the contrast is good, resulting in a vibrant presentation. Also, Firestick 4K Max comes with Dolby Atmos support which delivers a crip & immersive audio experience. |
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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
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max costs $54.99 and is often discounted to lower rates on limited deals days down to $34.99. Amazon's cloud-based Luna service offers a greater selection of top-tier AAA games. It supports all premium formats like HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. Also, it comes with Dolby Atmos support which delivers an immersive audio experience. The Fire TV Stick 4K is larger than the standard Fire TV Stick, measuring 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighing around 48 grams. Amazon's cloud-based Luna service offers a greater selection of top-tier AAA games. Video streaming has come a long way in recent years. However, some of the most basic devices continue to create images with a computer-like appearance, with sloppy use of contrast and color and irregular pixelation. Despite its low price, the Firestick 4K Max is a capable performer. Rich, realistic, & muted colors are used to create a clear and detailed image. The image's brightest and darkest portions suffer minimal pixel loss during processing, but the contrast is good, resulting in a vibrant presentation. Also, Firestick 4K Max comes with Dolby Atmos support which delivers a crip & immersive audio experience.
- Improved CPU, Wi-Fi, and a new remote control
- Still very reasonable
- Access to Amazon Luna
- Dolby Vision / Atmos / HDR10+
- Voice remote with Alexa
- Based on an out-of-date version of Android
- Too many sponsored advertisements
- Homescreen previews are low-resolution.
- Search might yet be improved.
- Luna may be volatile.
Price And Availability
Starting from the price in the Firestick 4K Max competition vs Apple TV 4K, there’s a significant difference between both streaming sticks. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max costs $54.99 and is often discounted to lower rates on limited deals days down to $34.99. However, you don’t get any storage option in the Firestick 4K Max. You can only buy Stick 4K Max for 8GB of storage.
On the hand, the Apple TV costs $179. That means you can buy three Firestick 4K Max streaming sticks for the price of how much it takes to buy one Apple TV. And that with $30 to spend on some of the best streaming services.
Apple offers two different storage options for its streaming box. The 64GB Apple TV 4K costs $179. You’re looking at around $150 if you want the Apple TV 4K 32 GB option. Searching for a used Apple TV from a prior model is more cost-effective.
Design & Build Quality
The Fire TV Stick 4K is larger than the standard Fire TV Stick, measuring 3.9 by 1.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighing around 48 grams. It is a simple, rectangular black plastic bar with a micro USB port and an HDMI connector over one edge. Thanks to a short, versatile HDMI extender, you may move it at a different angle if it’s just a little bit too wide to fit properly in a TV port.
The Apple TV features a tiny, boxy design with a matte black gloss on the outside. Because it has a more compact and smaller plug-and-play architecture than the Firestick 4K Max, it seems dated and uncomfortable in contrast. However, the Apple TV box will droop around your TV or another shell while in use, taking up visible space. In that aspect, the Firestick 4K Max is more compact and practical. The Apple TV box is likewise compact, measuring 10 cm square by 3.5 cm tall & 1.22 inches thick, which weighs around 208 grams for Wifi only variant & the Wifi + Ethernet variant weighs around 214 grams. A voice-activated remote is also available, which eliminates the need to point the remote at the set-top box.
Features
In terms of functionality, both Apple TV 4K and Firestick 4K Max prioritize video streaming, but they also provide a variety of additional features that allow them to serve as one-stop shops for all forms of multimedia material. Both systems place a strong focus on gaming and enable Bluetooth controllers. Apple delivers every game imaginable, which is unappreciated. Apart from games, Apple TV and Firestick 4K Max provide all media services. However,
Regarding HDR support, the
Firestick 4K Max vs Apple TV 4K – Audio & Video Quality
Video streaming has come a long way in recent years. However, some of the most basic devices continue to create images with a computer-like appearance, with sloppy use of contrast and colour, as well as irregular pixelation. Despite its low price, the Firestick 4K Max is a capable performer. Rich, realistic, & muted colours are used to create a clear and detailed image. The image’s brightest and darkest portions suffer from minimal pixel loss during processing, but the contrast is good, resulting in a vibrant presentation. Also, Firestick 4K Max comes with Dolby Atmos support which delivers a crip & immersive audio experience, which is slightly better than Apple TV 4K.
The Apple TV 4K goes a step further by catching some of the dazzling and black detail that the
Streaming Quality
In terms of content streaming quality, Apple TV and the Fire TV Stick both feature all of the premium streaming apps. Both applications include popular services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and
Nonetheless, with the inclusion of both of these services, Apple TV and Fire TV Stick 4K Max will be able to access high-profile content on the same level. The user interface of the
Key Differences
There are various key differences between these two streaming sticks, as they both come from different backgrounds. The most significant difference is the price, as both offer similar performance; the Apple TV 4K is quite more expensive than Firestick. Starting with the design, if you want a compact streaming stick that hides behind your TV, then you should consider buying Firestick 4K Max. On the other hand, Apple TV comes with a more old-designed boxy shape setup box, which hooks up quite a space & is not that compact.
Regarding performance, Firestick TV 4K Max is on top of all the flagship streaming sticks, offering the best performance with smooth UI interactions. On the other hand, Apple TV 4K offers good performance but needs work on the UI side. Firestick TV 4K Max also offers more content to watch than the Apple TV, & offers the best HDR quality compared to Apple TV. However, you can only get 8GB of storage in Firestick TV 4K Max, while Apple offers 2 options to choose from, that is, 32GB or 64GB. Also, you get Alexa as a voice assistant in Firestick 4K Max & Siri as a voice assistant in Apple TV 4K, which offers many useful features if you’re in an Apple environment. Apple TV offers Spatial Audio which isn’t that optimized, a feature that Firestick TV 4K Max lacks.
Key Similarities
Both streaming sticks differ a lot when talking about their design & content. However, there are some similarities in terms of performance. Both devices offer a 60hz refresh rate and smooth UI. Also, both devices can stream HDR10, & Ultra HD 4K and have Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Also, both devices offer Wi-Fi6 for uninterrupted streaming of HD content.
Is it worth buying the Firestick 4K Max?
The best option is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Because of the speedier Wi-Fi connectivity, the user interface is easier to browse and is better future-proofed. However, even if you don’t yet have a Wi-Fi 6 router, it will be ready when you do.
What apps are not on Firestick 4K Max?
Peacock, a popular app that People particularly useful for viewing untelevised English Premier League soccer events and giving access to movies from Universal Pictures and Dreamworks Animation, is the only major app that isn’t accessible on the streaming service
Conclusion
Concluding, if you’re currently in the Apple ecosystem & looking for a flagship-looking streaming stick, then you consider buying the Apple TV 4K. However, if you want high-quality content & a compact streaming stick that hides behind your TV & doesn’t cost a fortune, you should definitely consider Firestick 4K Max. Purchasing a 4K Apple TV costs almost four times as much as purchasing a standard Apple TV, which is quite pricey. Therefore, if budget isn’t your concern, then you should probably check out Apple TV or else, you should definitely go for Firestick 4K Max, as both offer top-of-the-line similar performance. In some cases, the Firestick performs better than the Apple TV 4K, such as rich content.
