Amazon Fire Stick Vs Smart Tv – How do they compare?
Smart TV’s came into the limelight a year after the introduction of the media streaming devices back in 2007. And even though they were all-inclusive at the time, advances in technology still affords the media streamers a position at the pedestal.
The invention of the smart TV’s might have thrown the media streaming devices out of balance, but their relevance is still significant given that they can turn an analog television set into a digital unit; they have also managed to stay relevant over time thanks to their breadth of content and the varied expandability options.
Amazon Fire Stick is a media streaming device developed by the renowned Amazon.com, Inc, the unit has been configured to enable internet streaming on your TV Set. Smart TVs, on the other hand, are manufactured by various companies and they offer an all in one solution when it comes to streaming content from the internet. Both devices are however different in varying levels, and below is a comparison of the two.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Amazon Fire Stick and Smart TV?
Model |
Amazon Fire Stick |
Smart TV |
Processor |
1.7 GHz quad-core CPU |
Crystal processor 4K |
RAM |
2GB |
1.25GB |
Throughput speed |
3mbps for SD
5-10 Mbps for HD |
30mbps download speeds |
Storage Capacity |
8GB |
4GB |
Ports |
USB |
HDMI 3, Ethernet, Digital Audio out, Composite in (AV), Bluetooth |
Availability |
Amazon Fire Stick vs Smart TV- How do they compare?
Storage Capacity
Smart TV’s usually come pre-loaded with applications which then mean that there is nothing much that you can do with the television set. All hope is not lost, however, because you have the option of connecting a USB drive to your Android TV and consequently add more space for content and other applications. To succeed in the above, you will have to use a USB drive and a micro USB-USB adapter.
The Samsung Tv has, therefore, incorporated up to 1.25GM RAM, and the big question is how good is 1GB for a smart TV? Unfortunately not very good because the current android applications tend to be more RAM consuming, which mean that users will not be able to utilize all the features of the unit? RAM in the media streamers enable users to run the various applications and channels, and for those who love gaming, if your streamer has less RAM and you want to engage demanding games then you will experience stream quality issues.
The 2GB fires stick RAM is, therefore, enough for faster upload and download speeds, when compared to the smart TV, the Amazon Firestick will, however, offer better performance and utilization of applications during streaming.
Speed and performance
When it comes to processing capacity it is a simple as the faster provision of applications and games on your Tv set. A smart TV cannot be considered smart if it cannot handle or run the features that make it smart, and to achieve the above they use a computer chip which will ensure faster flashing of images on your screen. The Samsung smart Tv has, therefore, incorporated the Crystal processor 4K designed to transform all the content that you watch into stunning 4K.
The Amazon Firestick has on the other hand; incorporated a rather powerful quad-core processor which has been determined to be faster than the 2nd generation fire stick and thanks to the DDR3 technology the unit can offer the best performance. The throughput speeds also determine how fast the unit transmits data and in this case, the Smart TV offers the best throughput speeds at 30mbps download.
Connectivity
A media streaming device with expandable options allows users to stream content from other devices and that is apart from wireless casting. Now for the Amazon Firestick, the unit is to be connected to your Tv via the HDMI port but you also get an extra USB Port and that’s it. For the Smart TV, you are provided with endless connectivity options, from HDMI to the Ethernet port that allows your unit to experience faster internet connectivity.
Smart TVs are also equipped with USB ports with which you can connect your USB drive and stream movies and music, the smart Tv, therefore, takes the win because of the many connectivity features that enhance effectiveness.
Amazon Fire Stick Vs the Smart TV – A 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...
Since its unveiling, back in 2014 the Amazon Firestick has done considerably well offering stiff competition to the likes of Roku and Apple TV. Additionally, the Amazon Fire Stick has been set to replace Amazon’s Fire TV pendant that the company wants to discontinue after completing just one year in the market.
So what are you missing out on, the Fire Stick has obliterated all questions on speeds because it is super fast; the unit has incorporated a powerful processor, which ensures that users enjoy seamless streaming, not to forget the high storage and RAM capacity that enables flawless interaction with the various application and channels.
Pros
- Offers faster speeds
- Easy to set up and use
- Enables hands-free interaction with your telly
- Comes with an intuitive interface
Cons
- Problems with resolution quality
- Contains many subscription channels that users have to pay for
Smart Tv
- Crystal processor 4K: This ultra-fast processor transforms everything you watch into stunning 4K.
- Multi voice: Smart TV with Alexa and Bixby. Mini Wall Mount and Vesa Wall Mount Compatible
If we say consumer preferences have shifted from the smart tv’s then we would be lying, if you have been keen you will notice that most people will purchase units that have incorporated Roku or Kodi in their units. Additionally, the introduction of the media streamers has only made the units popular as many people want a taste of both.
So what is it about Smart TVs that you are missing out on; a look at the Samsung 55-Inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series reveals that the unit has incorporated a powerful processor meaning you will be treated to seamless streaming; it also offers up to 30mbps throughput meaning no delays or buffering and by investing in one of these units you will interact with the picture and sound quality, and not the Tv box.
Pros
- Offers great value for the price
- Sharp and bright picture quality
- The thin frame contributes to the aesthetics
- Has expandable options
Cons
- Remote voice control is not effective
- Lack of a distinguishing feature on the buttons
Conclusion
Media streaming devices tend to have more options when it comes to channels and applications, the smart tv, on the other hand, has consolidated all the features of the media streamer onto one unit with the bonus of expandability and varied connectivity options such as Ethernet.
Final Verdict; so which is better? Amazon Fire Stick or the Smart TV
When compared to the Amazon Fire Stick, the smart Tv is the better unit because it offers enhanced performance in terms of processing power, speeds, and connectivity options.
FAQ’s
-
Can I use Fire Sticks with one account?
Yes, you can use two fires sticks on one account, which will consequently allow you to stream three videos using the same account, but you are not allowed to stream the same video to more than two devices.
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Which internet connection is best for smart TVs “wired or wireless?”
For the stationary units, you can use Ethernet but for those that are mobile then a wireless internet connection will be more than convenient.