It’s somewhat surprising that we’re already into 2024 without a new addition to the Amazon Fire TV Stick lineup. That changes now, as the Fire TV Stick HD has just been unveiled. Priced at $35, this new device streamlines the Fire TV Stick collection from four options down to three, taking the place of the two oldest models. The $40 Fire TV Stick and the $30 Fire TV Stick Lite will continue to be available for as long as supplies last, after which they will be discontinued.
The remaining models include the second-generation Fire TV Stick 4K and the second-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which many still consider the top choices in the lineup.
There aren’t many standout features with the Fire TV Stick HD, as its name suggests it supports a maximum resolution of 1080p. It does offer HDR, HDR 10, HDR10+, and HLG, but it lacks Dolby Vision and doesn’t support Dolby Atmos audio either. However, it can pass through Dolby-encoded audio via HDMI. This model includes the standard Alexa Voice Remote, operates on the older Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard, and features 8GB of storage for apps and media as well as 1GB of RAM. While it is compatible with Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming service, it does not support Xbox Game Pass.
In a surprising move for 2024, it still uses micro-USB for power.
Additionally, this device misses out on some Fire TV OS features like the Ambient Experience, which showcases AI-generated artwork, and it doesn’t even offer picture-in-picture functionality.
In essence, this latest stick represents Amazon’s effort to consolidate its budget offerings. It may serve as a decent option for an extra room, but it likely falls short for a primary entertainment setup.