Apple TV vs. Fire stick – Turn your home into a theatre
Are you tired of investing large amounts on a cable company for your streaming needs? If yes, you need to get a streaming device for your smart TV. Some of the great options you should consider are Apple TV and Fire stick.
You can connect such devices to your smart TV so that you start streaming your favorite videos quickly. Streaming devices are known to have a lot of apps and come with easy to use remotes. Though the market offers excellent streaming devices, finding the best one that can fulfill your specific needs is not easy. This guide covers both Fire stick and Apple TV in detail to help you distinguish them well. Read on!
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Apple TV and Fire stick?
Name |
Apple TV |
Fire stick |
Voice control |
Siri |
Alexa |
Support |
HDR10, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support |
HDR10+, HDR10, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision |
RAM |
3 GB |
2GB |
Storage |
32 GB/64 GB |
8GB |
Availability |
Apple TV vs. Fire stick – How do they compare?
Build
Both Apple TV and Fire stick and considered to be quality video streamers available today. Compared to Fire stick, Apple TV is a big device that looks like a black square box. Fire stick, on the other hand, comes in a stick shape. Though Fire stick is a cumbersome stick-shaped streaming device, it is quite compact and easy to conceal compared to Apple TV. In terms of the design, Fire stick is, therefore, better than Apple TV. While Fire stick attaches directly to a smart TV, Apple TV does not.
Streaming experience
Both of these streaming devices are compatible with HDR, Dolby Vision, and 4K TVs. Despite this, fire stick does not offer the best streaming experience since ads keep on populating the menus. It also provides fewer Dolby vision titles compared to Apple TV. Apple TV has more demand since it offers excellent video capacity and numerous apps. Since advertisements don’t keep on interfering with streaming, Apple TV is better than Fire stick.
Hardware
When it comes to the technical aspects, Apple TV offers more compared to Fire stick. For instance, it comes with 3GB of RAM and storage of up to 64 GB. Fire Stick, on the other hand, has 2GM of RAM, and storage of 8 GB. Apple TV is, therefore, more equipped than Fire Stick.
Cost
One of the factors that distinguishes these two streaming devices is the cost. Apple TV is way more costly than Fire stick. Though you might prefer the cheaper option, you may miss out on some of the features available on Apple TV. This streaming device can support most of the major video services making it more valuable than Fire stick.
Apple TV vs. Fire stick – A comparison overview
Apple TV
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Most people like the video streaming capabilities of Apple TV. This is a streaming device that is compatible with Dolby Vision, 4K, and HDR TVs. If you are searching for a streaming box that can offer a polished streaming experience, then you should consider Apple TV. Though the cost of this device is higher than that of Fire stick, it is worth it since it can give you value for your cash.
This device offers apps for the most common video services. It comes as a set-top box that runs on the operating system known as tvOS. The streaming device work well alongside different devices, including Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It also comes with an airplay feature that allows you to share content from your computer or even phone to the big smart TV display.
You should consider choosing this streaming device since it works well. It not only has impressive hardware but also runs apps fast. This streaming device has some cool looking screensavers and captivating ariel views. You can easily customize the interface of this streaming device and even make use of the voice search through Siri. Most Apple fans find the navigation options of this streaming device quite straightforward.
At the back of this streaming device, you should find an Ethernet port, power port, and HDMI port. Unfortunately, it lacks a digital port, which is common in other streaming devices for an enhanced audio experience. It also contains large and movable icons so that you don’t have to keep on guessing where to locate your favorite content. If you often rent or buy movies from iTunes, you should consider this streaming device.
Pros
- It offers a lot of content in vibrant colors
- Comes with an impressive home screen
- Touchpad remote
- It offers Bluetooth support
- Compatible with different smart TVs
- Offers numerous video services
Cons
- It is costly
Apple TV specs
Operating system |
Apple tvOS |
Channels available |
Arrow Video channel, CBS all access, Curiosity stream, History Vault, Eros now Select |
YouTube TV |
Included |
4K and HDR functionality |
Yes |
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...
Investing in the right entertainment kit can help you access all your favorite content without any delays. One of the streaming devices that can offer you such an exceptional streaming experience is Fire stick. It is an excellent device that supports Dolby Vision as well as 4K systems. This small-sized streaming device features an easy to use voice remote that many users like. The remote comes with a microphone designed to control this device with voice commands. Using this device, you can even directly control the TV’s volume and power. It is a great streaming device that most people on a budget choose.
This streaming device comes in a black plastic rectangle and features an HDMI plug. You should also notice a USB port included in Fire stick. Unfortunately, this is not among the streaming devices that offer the private listening feature. If you want to enjoy this, you can use Bluetooth headphones to achieve this effect since Fire Stick supports Bluetooth. Your package includes everything you require to begin streaming media such as an HDMI extender cable, USB adapter, USB cable, and batteries.
Pros
- It is cost-effective
- You can control your smart TV with the enhanced voice control
- Delivers a fast performance
- Works with Alexa voice assistant
Cons
- It does not offer a lot of Dolby Vision titles
- The streaming device fails to support Vudu
Fire stick specs
Channels |
Hoopla, Kanopy, IMDB TV, Xumo, Tubi, Netflix and Amazon prime video |
YouTube TV |
Available |
4K and HDR functionality |
Yes |
Operating system |
Fire OS |
Bluetooth support |
Yes |
Conclusion
Having the freedom to pick what you wish to watch any time feels amazing. You can achieve by buying a streaming device for your smart TV. Both Fire stick and Apple TV can help you stream video content easily.
Final Verdict: So, which is better? Apple TV or Fire stick
After comparing Apple TV versus Fire stick, we found out some significant differences in them. Apple TV stands out since it offers more functionalities and speedy performance. It supports most of the dynamic range formats such as 4K and HDR and offers so many channels. The only downside that makes some people reconsider choosing this streaming device is the high cost. Though Fire stick supports different formats, it comes with fewer Dolby Vision titles and does not offer Vudu support. This made us conclude that Apple TV is a clear winner in this comparison.
FAQs
Does Fire stick offer Bluetooth support?
Yes. This functionality is present in Fire stick.
Do I need reliable internet to stream content using such devices?
Yes. Internet and a reliable streaming device are what you need to enhance your streaming experience through a smart TV.