Last Updated on February 1, 2022
Deciding between a Firestick 4K and Firestick 3rd Generation device can be tricky. But, what if I told you that they were incredibly similar to each other? Despite a few key differences, the Firestick 4K and the Firestick 3rd Generation offer many of the same amenities to you. With that said, one model may suffice for you much better than the other.
In this review, we’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of both models. We’ll also go into further detail about each buying criteria consumers should bear in mind when making their choice.
Contents
Firestick 4K vs. Firestick 3rd Gen at a glance
Firestick 4K Advantages
- Offers high-quality video playback
- Has more RAM than the 3rd gen
- Has Dolby Vision support
Firestick 4K Disadvantages
- Pricier than the 3rd gen
- Home screen is dedicated to Amazon content
- Interface is cluttered
Firestick 3rd Gen Advantages
- Has the same processor and storage space as the 4k device
- More affordable than the 4k
- Vast improvement from the 2nd generation
Firestick 3rd Gen Disadvantages
- No 4k video playback
- Doesn’t have Dolby Vision support
- Home screen is dedicated to Amazon content
Winner: Don’t want to read the full article? The editor’s choice is the Amazon Firestick 4K.
What’s the difference between them?
Price
When comparing the differences between both media players, the price of each is arguably the most important thing to consider. Of the two, the Firestick 3rd Generation is the more affordable option. With that said, the price difference is only $10, so you may want to opt to pay the extra $10 if you like watching movies in 4k.
However, both devices will give you a very similar user experience. Despite not having 4k capabilities, the Firestick 3rd Generation has the same amount of storage and only slightly less RAM than its 4k counterpart.
If you aren’t all that pressed about having 4k video and you just want to convert your regular TV into a “Smart TV,” the 3rd Generation is the more budget-friendly option of the two.
On the other hand, the 4k offers a bit more in terms of video and audio amenities for only a slightly higher cost.
Verdict: Amazon Firestick 3rd Generation
Video playback quality and other features
In terms of video playback quality, the Firestick 4k takes the cake. Just as its name suggests, the Firestick 4k allows you to watch movies and TV in Ultra High Definition on any app that is 4k compatible. These apps include Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+ to name a few, so you won’t have any trouble finding a compatible streaming service.
On top of that, the Firestick 4k also supports HDR content. High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhances the difference between light and dark, which makes images appear more realistic and high-quality.
The Firestick 3rd Generation offers much of the same features but only streams in HD instead of 4k. With the 3rd gen, you still get Dolby Atmos support and HDR support is included as well as Dolby Vision.
Using Dolby Atmos with either Firestick will fill the viewing room with sound and leave you feeling the weight and emotions of the actors you’re watching on screen. According to many customers, the sound quality between the Firestick 4k and the Firestick 3rd Generation is much of the same, unlike the video quality where the 4k wins.
Verdict: Amazon Firestick 4K
Device size and design
Both the Firestick 4k and the Firestick 3rd Generation are designed very similarly, with the Firestick 4k made only slightly larger than the 3rd gen. Both models hide completely as they plug right into the HDMI port behind your TV. For people with limited entertainment center space, either model would suffice well.
Both devices are also incredibly easy to store in a bag or suitcase for travel. This way, you can enjoy any shows and entertainment you’d like while you’re away from home. Because the devices are compact, it may be worth saving the box for travel purposes. When packing for a trip, you can keep the device safe in its original box as you pack to avoid damage. You may also use a designated cloth bag with extra padding to avoid damage.
Keep in mind that whichever model you do choose, their clunky design may block other HDMI ports in your TV. To help with this, Amazon also includes an HDMI extender with your purchase to keep those other spaces open.
Verdict: Firestick 3rd Generation
Storage and RAM space
As far as storage goes, both the Firestick 4k and the Firestick 3rd Generation offer 8GB of storage space. Because you’ll likely be using it primarily to stream content, this should serve as plenty of space to hold apps, games, and other content you choose to download.
With that said, the Firestick 4k comes with more RAM than the 3rd Generation. Rather than the 1GB of RAM the 3rd gen boasts, the Firestick 4k reigns in 1.5GB of RAM.
What is RAM and Why is it Important?
Random Access Memory, or RAM for short, refers to the hardware in your device that houses the internal operating system, application programs, and the data currently being used. Otherwise referred to as the main memory for the computer, the RAM is sort of like the brain in your device.
With that said, RAM doesn’t permanently store data. It only stores data from the time you turn the device on until you turn it off. Once the device is turned off, all the stored data is erased. So with your Firestick, the amount of RAM space you have tells you how much you can do with the device at one time while it’s running.
Verdict: Amazon Firestick 4k
Software
In terms of user experience, both Firesticks in this review use the same Fire OS interface as other Amazon devices. With that said, the Firestick 4k still runs on Android 7 Nougat, software that was released in 2018. On the other hand, the Firestick 3rd Generation operates with Android 9 Pie, brand new technology. So, if you choose to go with the 3rd Generation, you automatically get all of the updates and security patches.
Both Firesticks run on quad-core 1.7 GHz processors. However, as we mentioned above, the Firestick 4k comes with more RAM space.
Verdict: Amazon Firestick 3rd Generation
Remote controls
The remote controls for both the Firestick 4k and the Firestick 3rd Generation function much in the same way. However, the Firestick 4k is slightly longer than the 3rd Generation. Beyond the slight size difference, both remotes are virtually the same.
Each one has Alexa voice activation and both are incredibly easy to use. The remotes are made with simple buttons that allow you to control scrolling directions, volume up, down, or mute, and power the device off and on.
Verdict: Tie
Setting up the device
Setting up a Firestick in general is pretty easy. And the process for setting up the 4k and the 3rd generation are pretty much identical. All you do is plug the stick into your TV and then make sure to turn the remote on and point it at your TV during set-up.
Once the “Press play/pause to start” shows up at the bottom of your screen, you’ve successfully paired the device to your TV. After that, it’s just a matter of navigating the home screen and downloading your desired apps and games.
With all this in mind, it’s been widely noted that the set-up with the 4k remote goes much smoother than with the Amazon 3rd Generation.
Verdict: Amazon Firestick 4K
What comes in the box
Everything that comes in the box for both Firesticks is the same: a Micro-USB charging cable, Amazon wall wart, HDMI extender, instructions and other paperwork, and the actual stick and remote. Both packages also include Amazon’s updated Alexa voice remote that can be activated by the microphone button at the top of the control panel.
Along with that, both Firesticks have the same processor technology, so they both operate in the same way.
What Are these parts for?
The Micro-USB charging cable isn’t required for setting up the stick, but it can help ensure a more stable connection while you’re using the device. The wall wart is the large power supply that brings power to the stick to use. The wall wart keeps the stick from overheating and malfunctioning due to prolonged use.
The HDMI extender included in the box is to make sure no other HDMI ports are being blocked by the Firestick’s bulky design.
Verdict: Tie
Conclusion
Although the verdicts according to our article leave the Firestick 4k and the Firestick 3rd Generation at a tie, the clear editor’s pick for us is the Firestick 4k. While the 3rd Generation may come in slightly cheaper than the 4k, the ability to stream in Ultra High Definition is too enticing to pass up.
Both Firesticks come with essentially the same features aside from the difference in video playback quality, so it makes sense to spend the extra couple of dollars on the Firestick 4k instead. After all, for only a $10 difference, you could enhance your viewing experience to the next level.
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