- Amazon has rebranded its Fire TV Stick 4K as “Fire TV Stick 4K Plus.”
- The Plus offers the same specs that the 4K model did before the rename.
- It now sits between the budget 4K Select and the flagship 4K Max.
- Only the Plus and Max support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, while Max adds Wi-Fi 6E and extra storage.
Amazon has quietly renamed its standard Fire TV Stick 4K to Fire TV Stick 4K Plus. The move comes after the company released a new, lower-cost model earlier this year. What may seem like a fresh product is mostly a relabeling of what was already available.
The original Fire TV Stick 4K remains listed alongside the 4K Plus. In the UK, the Plus name has not yet appeared. Amazon appears to be juggling multiple model names while trying to streamline its lineup.
Where the Plus Fits In the Lineup
Amazon now offers three 4K–capable Fire TV Sticks: the 4K Select, the 4K Plus, and the 4K Max. The Plus sits in the middle, above the budget Select, below the feature-rich Max. Its price is $49.99, while the Select retails at $39.99 and the Max at $59.99.
Despite the new name, the 4K Plus offers the same capabilities that the former 4K model did. It supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, along with Dolby Atmos. These high dynamic range formats are now reserved for only the Plus and Max models in Amazon’s 4K range.
Specs Across the Models
The differences between the three Fire TV Stick models are subtle yet significant. Among them:
- High Dynamic Range: Both the 4K Plus and Max support Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The Select supports HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision.
- Wi-Fi Standards: The Max steps up with Wi-Fi 6E, while the Plus uses Wi-Fi 6 and the Select is limited to Wi-Fi 5.
- Memory and Storage: The Plus features 2 GB RAM and 8 GB of storage. The Max doubles the storage to 16 GB while maintaining 2 GB RAM. The Select is equipped with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage.
- Extra Features: Only the Max supports Amazon’s Fire TV Ambient Experience — which displays photos or videos when the TV is idle. The Max also includes the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced.
- Cloud Gaming: The Plus and Max currently support cloud gaming platforms like Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass. The Select is slated to gain cloud gaming later.
In short, the Plus gives parity with the renamed 4K in many core features. The Max is the only model to gain notable advantages like extra storage, better connectivity, and ambient display.
What Changed? And What Didn’t?
The name switch can lead to confusion among buyers. The hardware specs of the “new” Fire TV Stick 4K Plus mirror those of the older 4K model. Amazon’s motive appears to be separating the positioning of their entry, mid, and high tier devices. The launch of the Select may have forced the renaming to avoid overlap.
That said, some buyers may feel misled by the change. Searching for the original model returns both old and new labels, both of which may ship with identical components. International markets like the UK have not yet adopted the Plus nomenclature, adding another layer of ambiguity.
From a value perspective the Max still leads. It offers storage space, faster Wi-Fi, plus unique features like Ambient Experience. But if your needs are modest, the Plus is fully capable. It delivers high dynamic range, modern Wi-Fi, and decent memory at a lower cost than the Max.
What This Means for Shoppers
If you were planning to buy a Fire TV Stick 4K, know that 4K Plus is the same device with a new name. The Plus and Max are now the only models that fully support Dolby Vision along with HDR10+. If you stream HDR content, stay away from the Select. If you need more storage or better performance, the Max is the superior investment.
Because the original 4K name still lives on, always check the specs before checkout—look at memory, Wi-Fi version, HDR support.
Follow TechBSB For More Updates
