Just when we thought we had Amazon’s Fire TV lineup sussed out, they’ve gone and shaken things up again.
This week, with little fanfare, Amazon quietly launched the new Fire TV Stick HD in the UK (and the US).
But before you get too excited about groundbreaking features, let’s take a closer look at what’s really on offer (spoiler: nothing you haven’t seen before).
A Brief History of Fire
Since the first Fire TV box hit our shores way back in 2014, Amazon has been steadily expanding its streaming device lineup.
We’ve seen various iterations of the Fire TV Stick, from the basic HD models to the feature-packed 4K Max.
Last year, Amazon treated us to updated versions of their top-end sticks – the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen (see my review) and the Fire TV Stick 4K 2nd Gen (see my review).
These joined the existing 3rd generation Fire TV Stick and the budget-friendly Fire TV Stick Lite, which launched in 2020.
The Fire TV Stick Lite was the lowest-cost Fire TV stick, aiming to be an entry-level streaming stick for those who don’t need 4K or an overly-complex remote, while the Fire TV Stick (3rd gen) was… basically the same, but with an upgraded remote (and a higher price tag).
Enter the New Fire TV Stick HD
Now, Amazon is introducing the new Fire TV Stick HD, which aims to simplify its lineup by replacing both the 3rd Gen Fire TV Stick and the Fire TV Stick Lite.
If you’re expecting a revolutionary leap in technology, you might want to temper those expectations. The new Fire TV Stick HD is essentially identical to the Fire TV Stick Lite in terms of hardware.
The key difference? It now comes bundled with the newer Alexa Voice Remote, which includes those handy TV volume control buttons:
- Resolution: 1080p Full HD at 60fps
- HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
- Audio: No Dolby Digital / Dolby Atmos (unlike the Firestick 3rd Gen)
- Processor: MediaTek MT8695D, 1.7GHz quad-core
- GPU: IMG GE8300, 650 MHz
- RAM: 1GB
- Storage: 8GB
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi 5)
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- OS: Fire OS 7 (based on Android 9)
If you’re feeling a sense of déjà vu, you’re not wrong. These specs are virtually identical to the Fire TV Stick Lite and the 3rd Gen Fire TV Stick.
Price Point Shuffle
Here’s where things get interesting. Amazon has positioned the new Fire TV Stick HD at £39.99, slotting it neatly between the outgoing Lite (£34.99) and the 3rd Gen stick (£44.99).
It’s a classic middle-ground strategy, offering the best of both worlds at a compromise price point (though, if you don’t need those volume buttons, you’re basically paying £5 extra for the same stick you could have had with the Lite).
The Lite is still available to purchase in the UK – as long as stocks last – while the 3rd Gen stick is currently out of stock on Amazon, but may still be available elsewhere. Once stocks are gone – the new HD stick will be the only non-4K option.
For comparison, here’s how the current Fire TV Stick lineup prices up:
- Fire TV Stick Lite (while stocks last): £34.99
- Fire TV Stick HD (the new one): £39.99
- Fire TV Stick 4K: £59.99
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: £69.99
Of course, these are recommended retail prices – and they’re likely to go down next month with the Black Friday celebrations.
Is It Worth The Upgrade?
Amazon’s strategy here seems clear: streamline the lineup and offer a compelling entry-level option. By discontinuing the Lite and 3rd Gen models (once stocks run out), they’re simplifying consumer choice while still catering to those who don’t need (or want to pay for) 4K capabilities.
For most people who already have any of the post-2020 Fire TV Sticks, there’s no reason to upgrade to the new HD stick – as it’s basically the same device with a slightly upgraded remote (if you have the Lite) – and I don’t see anyone buying a new stick just for a couple of volume buttons.
If, however, you’re in the market for a new streaming device, the HD stick is Amazon’s new entry-level stick, and it’s a very capable device – as long as you don’t need (or can’t afford) a 4K stick.
Do all their fire sticks show tv in HD? Have great tv and thinking of leaving sky HD for a stick but quality is important thanks
Yes they’re all at least HD (or 4K if you get the 4K stick) – but what you actually get depends on the content you’re watching – it needs to be in HD (or 4K) as well.
My TV is 10 years old, will an amazon firestick work on something that ancient?
Susan M Cooper
As long as the TV has an HDMI port
One reason you might want to upgrade is to get newer apps such as the Xbox app which won’t run on earlier Sticks
If it doesn’t work on the Fire TV Stick Lite, then it probably won’t work on the new HD stick either (as it’s the same hardware) – but we’ll have to wait and see.