Amazon’s Fire TV televisions are about to get a major upgrade in the UK – with the company launching its first Mini-LED models, promising significantly improved picture quality and brightness levels that compete with much pricier premium TVs.
Fire TV televisions combine Amazon’s popular streaming platform with a proper TV set – meaning you get all of Amazon’s streaming apps and features built directly into the TV, along with Alexa voice control.
Today’s launch includes a premium Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series (starting at £649.99), a refreshed Fire TV 4-Series with an ultra-slim design (from £279.99), and a new premium soundbar that adds Dolby Atmos support.
As for Freeview, Amazon is taking two different approaches with these new models: The premium Mini-LED range will support the new Freely platform – letting you watch live TV channels from the major UK broadcasters without an aerial – while the more affordable 4-Series comes with traditional Freeview Play support.
The Evolution of Amazon’s Fire TV Sets
Amazon first brought their own-brand Fire TV sets to the UK in March 2023, following success in the US market.
The initial lineup included the Omni QLED Series, which aimed to compete in the mid-to-high range segment with features like full-array local dimming and Dolby Vision IQ support.
Now, just over 18 months later, Amazon is stepping up their game with Mini-LED technology – an upgrade that puts these new models in a more premium category.
What Makes Mini-LED Special?
Mini-LED technology, as the name suggests, uses thousands of tiny LED lights in the TV’s backlight, much smaller than traditional LED backlights.
This allows for more precise control over brightness and contrast, with the new models featuring up to 960 individual dimming zones and reaching peak brightness levels of 1,400 nits.
In practical terms, this should mean deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and less of the ‘blooming’ effect (where bright objects on dark backgrounds show a halo effect) that can affect standard LED-backlit TVs.
The New Mini-LED Range: Features and Specs
The new models combine this improved display technology with several notable upgrades over last year’s Omni series.
For gamers, there’s AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification – a first for Amazon’s TV range – along with Variable Refresh Rate support up to 144Hz in gaming mode.
The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports also means these TVs are properly equipped for next-gen gaming consoles.
Picture processing has been upgraded too, with what Amazon calls “Intelligent Picture Technology.”
This system uses AI along with light and colour sensors to optimize the picture in real-time, adjusting for both content type and room conditions.
The TVs support Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive, which should help maintain picture quality regardless of your room’s lighting.
On the audio front, the TVs feature a 2.1 channel system with built-in subwoofers and Dolby Atmos support – though as with any built-in TV speakers, serious audio enthusiasts might want to consider adding a separate sound system.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E support, which promises faster, more stable streaming.
The TVs retain the hands-free Alexa functionality from previous models, allowing you to control everything from channel changes to smart home devices without reaching for the remote.
And of course, as the name suggests, Amazon’s Fire TV OS is front and centre, with the Fire TV’s vast library of apps.
The new Fire TV Omni Mini-LED range is available in three sizes – 55″ (£649.99), 65″ (£949.99) and 75″ (£1,299.99) – and can be ordered starting today.
New Fire TV Soundbar Plus (Again, Without… Fire TV)
Amazon is also launching an upgraded version of their soundbar lineup with the Fire TV Soundbar Plus, available for £199.99 (on offer until December 2).
This premium model represents a step up from the basic £99.99 version launched in July.
The Plus model moves to a more capable 3.1-channel configuration and adds Dolby Atmos support – a notable upgrade over its predecessor’s basic two-channel setup.
Four preset modes (Movie, Music, Sports, and Night) are included, along with a customizable dialogue enhancement feature that should help with unclear speech in TV shows and films.
However, just like its cheaper sibling, the “Fire TV” part of the name might be somewhat confusing.
Unlike competitors like the Roku Streambar, this soundbar doesn’t actually include any streaming capabilities – it’s purely an audio device.
There’s also no built-in Alexa support, despite the Amazon branding.
What you do get is seamless integration with Fire TV devices, allowing you to control both your Fire TV stick or television and the soundbar with a single remote.
The soundbar connects via HDMI ARC/eARC, with setup promised to be as simple as plugging in the included HDMI cable.
Refreshed Fire TV 4-Series Gets A New Look
Amazon’s popular mid-range TV line is also getting an update, with a new ultra-slim bezel design that aims to make the TV itself less noticeable when you’re watching content.
The refreshed 4-Series maintains its 4K UHD resolution and support for HDR10 and HLG, along with Dolby Digital Sound.
The new models are available in three sizes:
- 43-inch: £279.99
- 50-inch: £329.99
- 55-inch: £379.99
These promotional prices are available until December 2.
What About Freely and Freeview Play?
Amazon recently announced Freely integration would be coming to select Fire TV televisions this autumn – and indeed, Freely is here.
Amazon confirmed to us that the new Mini-LED models come with Freely – while the updated Omni 4 series still supports Freeview Play.
For those unfamiliar with the distinction, Freely is the new internet-based successor to Freeview.
The inclusion of Freely on the Mini-LED models means users can watch live TV channels from the major UK broadcasters without needing to connect an aerial – similar to devices such as Sky Glass or Sky Stream.
BBC channels, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and the UKTV “U” channels will all be available to stream live over your broadband connection, with their full catch-up libraries also available via dedicated apps.
However, it’s worth noting that Freely is still in its early days, and many Freeview channels aren’t yet available via streaming – so if you want access to the full range of UK channels (more than 70 in total), you’ll need to connect an aerial to your Mini-LED TV.
That being said, Freely is expected to add more channels and features in the future, potentially making aerial-free viewing more compelling over time.
The Ambient Experience Returns
Like last year’s models, the Mini-LED TVs include Amazon’s Ambient Experience feature, which displays artwork and widgets when you’re not watching content.
A new motion-sensing feature has been added that can create interactive art responding to movement in the room – though you’ll need to decide if you want to leave your TV powered on to use it.
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