Almost all televisions on sale today have an operating system with internet access and apps, but depending on the model and brand it may be somewhat limited or out of support soon enough, so a external media center such as the Apple TV 4K (2022) or the Fire TV Stick 4K Max are a very good solution. Which to buy? We put them face to face.
Features Apple TV 4K (2022) VS Fire TV Stick 4K Max
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specifications |
Apple TV 4K (2022) |
Fire 4K Max TV Stick |
|---|---|---|
|
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 (connector included); 48.4 grams |
|
Processor | RAM | Storage |
A15 bionic | 4GB RAM | 64 GB (128 GB in the model with Ethernet) |
1.8GHz MT 8696 quad-core processor | 2GB RAM | 8 GB 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. High-end model with Gigabit Ethernet and Thread support |
Wi-Fi 6, HDMI ARC, micro-USB (power), Bluetooth 5.0 and LE |
|
Remote |
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 control with volume and playback controls, Alexa button and four shortcuts to streaming platforms. You can control the volume and turn on/off the TV |
|
Others |
Siri, frame rate matching and native dynamic range, game controller support, HomeKit standard |
Alexa, frame rate and dynamic range matching, game controller support |
|
Price |
From 169 dollars |
$64.99 |
2022 Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi) 64 GB (3rd generation)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wi-Fi 6 and Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls)
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Design: Apple TV 4K (2022) and Fire TV Stick 4K Max have different design concepts. The first is more of a digital decoder and the second dongle. Apple is a media center which, although it can be hidden, is usually visible and because it is compact and elegant, it is quite discreet and unobtrusive. Amazon is hidden behind the TV by connecting directly to the HDMI port. A priori, the multimedia center of Apple has advantages, but it is necessary to opt for the superior model, since by offering more space you can put more connectors, a more powerful processor, etc. But the company does not benefit from it.
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Processor, RAM and storage: el Apple TV 4K is one of the most powerful media centers on the market, and much more than the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, since it integrates the A15 Bionic chip (the same one used in some iPhone 14) as well as 4 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of internal storage. It is a pity that, as we will see later, the software does not accompany it. 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 run out if we install many applications or use applications like Kodi, which end up accumulating cached data.
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video and sound: Both devices can play content on 4K high resolution with Dolby Vision high dynamic range format and Dolby Atmos soundwhat streaming video platforms are most committed to.
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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 live up to 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) because 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 pleasing.
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connectivity: the two proposals have WiFi 6 to be able to reach very fast wireless Internet speeds, but a compatible router is necessary, but Apple offers in the higher model, which costs around 20 dollars more expensive, Gigabit Ethernet to connect it by cable and not have connection problems.
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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 jerky and that it is reproduced at the frequency at which it was recorded. On the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, it only works well in the Amazon app, Plex, and Kodi.
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Price: Apple TV 4K (2022) is an expensive device, starting at 169 dollars. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is much cheaper, 64.99 dollars.
Apple TV 4K (2022) VS Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which one to buy?
We are facing two of the most popular media centers, in particular that of Amazon, which is one of the best sellers. If you’re 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 iPhone or iPad, since we can send content through AirPlay 2, or that works as a HomeKit standard).
If you’re going to be using mostly apps like Plex or Kodi, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max It is quite valid, and it must be taken into account that it costs much less. In addition, Amazon runs promotions almost every month and they drop it to around 40 dollars, which makes it one of the most powerful and economical multimedia centers.
2022 Apple TV 4K (Wi-Fi) 64 GB (3rd generation)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max with Wi-Fi 6 and Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls)
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