Amazon Fire TV vs Fire TV Stick - media player comparison
With the Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick, Amazon sends two different competitors for Google's Chromecast and Apple TV to the market. We show you the differences between the two media players and for which needs the respective devices are better suited.
Amazon Fire TV vs Fire TV Stick: software and price
- The Amazon Fire TV differs from the Fire TV Stick only in terms of hardware: the same Android system runs on both devices with the same apps and functions. The differences in hardware are mainly reflected in the price.
- The Amazon Fire TV costs 99.99 euros, the Amazon Fire TV Stick only 39.99 euros. If you want to use the Fire TV Stick with voice remote control, you pay 49.99 euros for the device. Voice remote control is standard on the Fire TV.
The Amazon Fire TV in the CHIP test
Amazon Fire TV vs Fire TV Stick: hardware comparison
- Resolution: The Fire TV Stick can play films, series and pictures in Full HD with a resolution of up to 1080p. The Fire TV also creates 4K, but you need the right 4K content and a 4K-compatible TV.
- Performance: The Fire TV Stick works with a dual-core processor with one gigabyte of memory. That is enough for a smooth reproduction of all content. The Fire TV, on the other hand, works with a quad core and two gigabytes of RAM. This ensures shorter loading times and also enables much more complex games on the Fire TV.
- WLAN: The Fire TV Stick works with the 802.11A / B / G / N standard, the Fire TV with 802.11Ac. Since the latter is downward compatible, this ultimately makes no difference to the user. The newer standard only helps with loading 4K content.
- Connections: While the Fire TV Stick is simply plugged into the TV, the Fire TV offers some connections. You can do without a WLAN connection via an Ethernet cable, and external devices such as USB sticks and keyboards can be connected via a USB cable. With an SD card, you can expand the internal memory from 8 GB by up to 128 GB. However, you can only transfer games to the SD card.
Conclusion: Fire TV or Fire TV Stick?
- The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a real bargain for 40 euros. The additional voice remote control is usually not worth it for an additional charge of 10 euros. Voice control is also available via the Fire TV app.
- The Fire TV Stick is sufficient for normal use. If you need the connections mentioned above, you will only find it with the Fire TV. Due to the lower performance, the Fire TV Stick can slow down after several months, but video playback never stutters here either.
- Even 4K and more demanding gaming are only possible on the Fire TV. However, 4K is currently only available in the Netflix app for an additional charge. Playing smartphone games on TV is also a somewhat strange concept.
On the next page we show you the best alternatives to the Amazon Fire TV.