Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen, review: Amazon’s most powerful TV-stick

Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen is the new Amazon TV-Stick that we present today its analysis or review. An evolution of its most powerful Stick.

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen 2a Gen is almost identical to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 1st Gen offering more computing power in general, support for Wifi 6E and a total of 16 GB of storage. This Stick has support for AV1 codec that will be gradually integrated into all current streaming services to offer higher quality with maximum compression. It also offers support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Let’s see in our review how this device performs and how it fares against its rivals.

  • Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen is available on Amazon from $59.99 with free shipping.

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Product Details

Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen
SoC: Mediatek MT8696T Quad Core A55 @ 2 GHz (64bit) / GPU PowerVR GE9215 850 MHz / 12 nm?
System: Fire OS 8 (32bit) / Android 11
Memory: 2 GB RAM LPDDR4 / 16 eMMC
Network: Wifi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 BLE
Ports: HDMI 2.0 / microUSB OTG
Extras: HDMI Extender / Manual / DC Adapter 5.25V 1A / USB Cable / Alexa BT Remote / AAA Batteries.
Materials and measurements: Plastic / 99 x 30 x 30 x 14 mm / 44 gr

Unboxing Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen comes in a cardboard box with the product image and generic information about its main functions. Inside we find the TV-Stick, BT+IR remote control, HDMI cable, charger, micro SD cable, AAA batteries and a small manual of first steps.

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Description

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen has a more rounded design than the previous version, it has a really compact and simple size. On the side we only have the HDMI 2.0 male connector. On one of its sides the only micro USB 2.0 OTG port that allows us to connect some peripherals with a microUSB OTG cable.

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This version of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen his classic remote with buttons to control our TV thanks to an IR emitter that has on the front, we also have integrated microphone for Alexa and direct access buttons to different streaming services. When starting the device for the first time we have a configuration wizard that will simplify us to find our TV model or compatible soundbar.

  • Remote control: BT + IR Alexa remote control with TV controls / NO Flymouse / YES microphone.

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This version maintains the already outdated connector micro USB OTG connector that allows us to connect extra peripherals thanks to a special micro USB cable. On the motherboard we can see the Wifi 6€ + BT 5.2 LE chip and an internal antenna to get coverage. If our TV has a USB with 5V 1A power we can try connecting the TV-Stick without the power adapter, but if the system reboots or shuts down in the middle of use we will have to use the official power supply.

  • Alternative control: We can connect a flymouse, mouse, gamepad or bluetooth or adapter keyboard using an OTG cable. The mouse pointer is not visible on the Fire OS desktop only when entering apps like Kodi or a browser.

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System and performance

Environment and Android system

We start the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen, after the Fire TV logo the system tells us how to configure it. After configuring it we get to the Fire OS launcher based on rows with very few customization options and the top row is where we have our most used apps. We have few apps installed, basically a few streaming services, we have a lot of advertising and we can not change the launcher, this is blocked by Amazon. We found that the performance of Fire OS 8 is fast in changing apps and other management.

  • Launcher: We can NOT change the launcher / Android UI rendering at 4K.
  • Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / No Android navigation bars.
  • Languages and Google Play: All the international languajes / Amazon Appstore installed.

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System

We check the system data and the options included in terms of root, we also observe that power systems allows us this device. If we find any firmware we will publish it on our website, usually only updated by OTA.

  • Power on/off: Only sleep mode / Off mode NOT configurable in settings.
  • Version and root: Fire OS 8 based on Android 11 (32 bit) / NO root / Model kara.
  • Support: Official Amazon support / Firmware upgradeable only by OTA.

Network, storage, RAM and ports

The small TV-Stick Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen has a RAM memory of 2 GB LPDDR4 RAM and for its internal storage we have 16 GB eMMC. It has a single micro USB 2.0 OTG port. In the network section it has a Wi-Fi 6E MiMo + BT 5.2 LE wireless adapter, we can connect an Ethernet adapter via USB up to Gigabit (max. 300Mbps). As we see in the test results give good figures, the wifi reaches good speed and has an acceptable range for using an internal antenna.

  • Network: Internal Wifi antenna / Range 42 dBm / Link 5G 1266 Mbps / Ethernet Gibait USB max. 300Mbps / Bluetooth OK.

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We check that the performance of the internal storage is very fast and moves the system without problems, on the other hand the RAM memory offers speeds in the line of these devices. The USB 2.0 OTG port behaves normally, we can expand the internal storage using a USB drive connected as FAT32 or exFAT.

  • Storage: Total 16GB  – Avaliable 10GB / NOT expandable with a USB or SD external memory.
  • RAM: Total 2GB – Free 1GB / DDR4.
  • Read/Write Ports: USB 2.0 OTG / On external USB drives it allows writing if supported by the app.
  • Check our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks to use files from our home network.

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Power and performance

In the power section the new TV-Stick Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen has the Mediatek MT8696T Quad Core SoC with ARM Cortex-A55 processors at 2 GHz and in the graphics section a PowerVR GE9215 GPU which is in the mid-range. A minimal evolution of the previous MT8696. This SoC is possibly manufactured in 12 nm, the cooling system is good and temperatures are low, the chip scales speeds correctly and maintains performance correctly. In general we have enough power for usual streaming apps or KODI, a TV-Stick as we see outperforms the S905X4 box.

  • CPU performance: Min 500 MHz / Working  1.0 GHz / Max 2 GHz

As we can see in terms of games, we can run demanding titles in medium/low quality and also play streaming via Amazon Luna. In the emulators section we can get at most run some Wii titles, but we will not have problems with 2D games from classic consoles with emulators like Retroarch or from KODI, the EmuELEC system can not be run, as it is not yet compatible.

  • Games and emulators:  Demandig games availables / Emulators up to Wii / YES Vulkan support.
  • Controls: Compatible with Gamepads BT or cable.

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The SoC on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen is manufactured on 12nm, has a very low power consumption, the cooling system works well and the temperatures are low all the time. The SoC manages speeds well so as not to overheat.

  • Thermals: Maintains performance up to 100% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
  • Consumption: Off 0.9W / Min. 3W / In use 3.5W / Max. 5W.

Video and Audio Test

Video playback test

In the video playback section the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen thanks to its VPU is compatible with modern video formats such as h.265 or VP9 up to a native resolution 4K@60fps HDR, if it is compatible with the recent AV1 codec that we can use directly on Youtube. We have few video quality settings and also with automatic refresh rate change. We have HDR and Dolby Vision support to get better image to some content.

We can use players like KODI or PLEX without the slightest problem installing the app or using the apk. As for audio we can play DD and DTS up to 7.1 through its HDMI port. But we CANNOT control the volume on monitors or TVs that are not detected by the Fire TV system.

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Video and audio results

Formats Result
h.264 / 1080i / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 4K / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) Frameskip (SW)
h.265 / 1080p / 8bit OK
h.265 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) OK
h.265 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
h.265 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P1 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
VP9 P2 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P2 / 8K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
AV1 / 4K@24fps / 10bit OK
Max. Bitrate 100 Mbps = 12,5 MB/s.
  • The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.
  • SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have have some frameskip in very heavy files.
Support Format
Native Dolby 5.1 – Plus – HD – Atmos / DTS 5.1 – Master Audio
Core DTS HR – X
PCM All
  • Native – Supports the format directly in our AV receiver or similar / More info.
  • Core – Only the 5.1 core of the format Dolby or DTS / More info.
  • PCM – Only stereo downmixing from DD or DTS.

Streaming services

We ran several tests on streaming services to check how the most popular services work. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen offers us maximum compatibility with all current steaming services, supports 4K quality and Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos modes without problems.

  • DRM: Google Widevine L1 / Playready.
  • Certification: Dolby Vision / Dolby Atmos.
Streaming service Calidad / Audio*
Youtube 4K (2160p) / 5.1
Google Play Movies 4K (2160p) / 5.1
Netflix 4K (2160p) / 5.1 / Netflix Guide
HBO FullHD (1080p) / Stereo / HBO Guide
Disney+ 4K (2160p) / 5.1 / Disney+ Guide
Amazon Prime Video 4K (2160p) / 7.1 / Prime Video Guide
Apple TV+ 4K (2160p) / 5.1 / Apple TV+ Guide
DAZN HD (720p) / Stereo
IPTV FullHD (1080i) / Stereo
  • Multichannel audio only available via HDMI connection in streaming services, via SPDIF stereo only.

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Conclusions and buy links

Score

Opinion

Once we have tested the new Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen we have no doubt that this version, like the previous one, stands out for its power, but little else. This version has enough hardware to play 4K HDR multimedia, use players like KODI, PLEX or for IPTV streaming. The system is Fire OS as we indicated always has limitations compared to Android TV, a point that we will have to take into account if we want more or less freedom. This new Stick also now has Wifi 6E that offers a very good wireless network performance and offers 16 GB of storage.

In the section of raw power the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen allows us to use any apps or game on Fire OS without performance problems, certainly this SoC outperforms others like the S905X4 or also the Chromecast Google TV. A positive point is the Bluetooth remote with Alexa included is simple but functional, plus we can connect it to our TV or sound bar. The negative point is that the volume control does not work with speakers, monitors or some TVs that do not detect Fire OS.

In short, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen is a powerful and easy to use product. If we are looking for a device with long term support and we accept Fire OS it can serve us.

Where to buy

  • Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen is available on Amazon from $59.99 with free shipping.

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Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2nd Gen

0.00
7.2

Hardware

8.5/10

System

6.5/10

Conectivity

7.5/10

Design

7.0/10

Price

6.5/10

Pros

  • Dolby Vision & Atmos
  • Compact
  • Alexa BT remote
  • Wifi 6E + BT 5.2
  • Powerful and 16GB ROM

Cons

  • Minimal evolution with respect to 1st gen
  • No volume control on monitors
  • Fire OS with limitations
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unedited2066

Thanks for the review. Based on the Amazon specs, this 2nd gen should still support H264 10-bit hardware decode:
https://www.developer.amazon.com/docs/fire-tv/device-specifications-fire-tv-streaming-media-player.html

Maybe the bitrate tested here is just too high for hardware decode, or did it not work at all? Curious to know.

John Johnson

What stick/box would you recommend for raw power in a budget? I’m using it for streaming 4k hdr/DV in native apps and in kodi with high bitrate content. This seems like it would tick all the boxes and it goes on sale often but i’m not a fan of the ads on Fire OS (and maybe other limitations i don’t know of). Unfortunately the Shield Pro is too expensive where i live.
Thanks for the review btw, it was great!

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