Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Gets Faster, Slimmer and a Better Remote
Amazon's slimmer Fire TV Stick 4K adds USB TV power, faster performance and a tactile redesigned remote, launching at $29.99 before later rising to $59.99.
Summary
Amazon introduced a slimmer Fire TV Stick 4K on September 30, 2026, claiming 20% to 40% faster performance than leading competitors and direct power through a TV’s USB port. Its reshaped remote replaces the blue Alexa button with a dished black microphone key and adds a touch-distinct metallic, orangeish reddish home button, recessed power button, flatter D-pad with a more tactile center click, and programmable favorites for launching an app or toggling Closed Captions or Dialog Boost. The remote is included and sold separately.
The stick has 8GB of storage, a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and Bluetooth Low Energy. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9 and AV1, with 2160p, 1080p and 720p output at up to 60 frames per second. It joins the Fire TV HD Stick, faster and higher-storage 4K Max Stick, and Fire TV Cube. The regular price is $59.99, with a $29.99 launch offer across the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. The remote ships in late October and costs $14.99 separately in the U.S.
Positives
- Amazon claims the slimmer Fire TV Stick 4K is 20% to 40% faster than leading competitors.
- The programmable favorites button can open an app or toggle Closed Captions and Dialog Boost.
- The tactile home key, recessed power button and flatter D-pad improve dark-room navigation and reduce accidental shutdowns.
- Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, Bluetooth Low Energy and AV1 support modernize connectivity and video playback.
- The $29.99 introductory price cuts $30 from the regular $59.99 price.
Risks & concerns
- Amazon does not identify the competitors behind its 20% to 40% performance claim.
- The regular $59.99 price is $30 higher than the introductory $29.99 offer.
- The 8GB Fire TV Stick 4K remains below the 4K Max, which offers more speed and storage.
- Existing Fire TV owners must pay $14.99 for the redesigned remote, which does not ship until late October.