Amazon fire stick vs. apple tv – Which streamer should you go for?
The demand for streaming devices continues to increase as many people understand their relevance. This is a device that can help you access more content to keep you entertained.
Some of the popular streaming devices you may come across while shopping are Amazon fire stick and Apple TV. Though both are quality streaming devices that many people choose, they target different demographics. Most budget-conscious buyers go for Amazon fire stick while the elite group chooses Apple TV. Find out how these two streaming devices compare and which one is the right for your home.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Amazon fire stick and Apple TV?
Name |
Amazon fire stick |
Apple tv |
Design |
Stick based streamer |
Square-shaped streamer |
Voice control |
Remote+ Alexa |
Remote + Siri |
Storage |
8 GB |
32 GB |
Formats supported |
Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos, HDR10+ and HLG |
Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR10 |
Weight |
54 kg |
425g |
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Amazon fire stick vs. apple tv – How do they compare?
Design
Apple TV is a big streaming device that comes in the form of a square-shaped box. Due to its design, this streaming device is not meant to be attached to the TV. Amazon fire stick is a rectangular shaped streaming device that looks like a stick. You can attach this streaming device at the back part of your TV. If space is an issue, use the included HDMI extender to attach it accordingly. The stick based design of the amazon fire stick makes it better than Apple TV since it is easier to hide. Apple TV is also more cumbersome compared to the amazon fire stick.
Storage
When shopping for a great streaming device, you need to focus on the specs. Apple TV offers storage of up to 32 GB. Amazon fire stick, on the other hand, has storage of up to 8 GB. The difference in storage makes Apple TV better than Amazon fire stick.
Formats supported
Though both of these streaming devices support certain similar formats, Amazon fire stick has more to offer. Apple TV offers Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR10 support. Since this streaming device does not offer HLG support, it can prevent you from playing 4k iPlayer streams. It also fails to support the HDR10+ format. Amazon fire stick, on the other hand, supports all the five formats, including HDR10+ and HLG. This makes Amazon fire stick more versatile compared to Apple TV.
Usability
Whether you choose Amazon fire stick or Apple TV, you should not have any problems trying to use them. Both devices may come with user-friendly menus, but Apple TV has an added advantage. It comes with iPhone-like icons that make accessing what you are looking for ease. Even though you can control both devices with your voice, Apple TV has a more intelligent voice control system. Apple TV, therefore, offers better usability than Amazon fire stick.
Amazon fire stick vs. apple tv – Comparison overview
Amazon fire stick
- Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Home theater audio with Dolby Atmos - Feel scenes come to life with support for immersive Dolby Atmos...
If you need an affordable streaming device that can save you cash, you should consider Amazon fire stick. This is a small streaming device that can easily fit at the back of your television. It comes in the form of a rectangular matte bar that features a USB port on one side.
Most customers of Amazon fire stick like how beginner-friendly it is. It comes with a voice remote that works well with Alexa. On the remote, you should notice not only the navigation pad but also the pinhole microphone at the top part, which is designed for using Alexa. You can use the remote to do things such as controlling the volume, streaming media, or controlling the power.
You will also find the setup of this streaming device straightforward. To use it, plug it into your TV then plug the power adapter in. Your TV will display specific instructions that you should follow so that you can connect Amazon fire stick to wifi. This streaming device can help you access different services, including Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, HBO Go, and Twitch.
Apart from the impressive remote, you should also consider this device due to its ability to stream 4K media. It can also stream media in Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats. When buying a streaming device, you should also pay attention to the hardware. This model uses a 1.7 GHz CPU and has a memory of 8GB.
Pros
- You can easily navigate through the menu
- Easy setup
- Comes with Alexa voice remote
- Streams 4K media
- Supports numerous formats
- It is pocket friendly
Cons
- The package fails to include an Ethernet adapter
Amazon fire stick specs
Channels |
All 4, Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+, Hayu and Britbox. |
YouTube TV |
Available |
4K and HDR functionality |
Yes |
Operating system |
Fire OS |
Apple TV overview
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Have you been using a streaming device before and are searching for one with extra features? You should consider Apple TV. This is a high-quality streaming device that gives you access to 4K HDR content and numerous apps. It comes as a small cute box that can sit next to your TV. You will notice some small cutouts on different sides of the streaming device, which enhance the flow of air in it and prevent it from overheating. As you stream 4K content using this device, it remains silent.
In terms of the hardware, this model offers more than what conventional streaming devices have. It comes with storage of up to 32 GB. You can also choose an advanced Apple TV version that comes with 64 GB of storage.
Once you connect this device, it will detect if your television can support 4K resolution to adjust the output automatically. Most users are impressed with the neat and intuitive menu system of Apple TV. It also comes with a voice remote that works with a popular search tool known as Siri. One reason why some people choose this model despite its high price tag is the comprehensive library of HDR movies. You can access more than 200 films while using this Apple TV.
Apart from streaming 4K media, this device performs well since it delivers excellent picture quality. It makes details appear quite realistic and more natural. It also provides vivid colors to boost your overall viewing experience. This streaming device, therefore, has excellent performance.
Pros
- Gives you access to numerous apps
- Delivers great picture and sound quality
- Supports both Dolby Atmos and Dolby vision
- Solidly built
Cons
- It is costly
Apple TV specs
Operating system |
Apple tvOS |
Channels available |
Netflix, Pandora, Disney Plus, Hulu, Spotify and Cinemax |
YouTube TV |
Included |
4K and HDR functionality |
Yes |
Conclusion
Amazon fire stick and Apple TV are both excellent streaming devices that can fulfill your entertainment needs. Though both of the streamers receive a lot of attention, they have some significant differences that you should be aware of.
Verdict: So, which is better? Amazon fire stick or Apple TV
After carefully comparing Amazon fire stick against Apple TV, we found out why these are marketed to different groups. Amazon fire stick is a fully-featured streaming device that comes at a reasonable price. Though it supports various formats and can easily be hidden at the back of the TV, it does not match the enhanced capabilities of Apple TV. We discovered that Apple TV is easier to use, has more storage capacity, works with the Siri search tool, and gives you access to YouTube TV. This made us choose Apple TV as the clear winner.
FAQs
What makes Apple TV stand out among conventional streamers?
It offers a more sophisticated audio and video performance compared to most regular streaming devices. The steaming device has better capabilities than others.
Do you need the internet to use Amazon fire stick?
Yes. Powering the stick based streamer requires wifi.