Nice to find a reviewer from here in the UK! A lot more civil and humour that only we understand! Aside from that, this review has been very helpful in making my mind up. I currently have a Google Chromecast and looking for something a bit meatier.
The biggest improvement for my needs is the 16GB of storage (provided Amazon doesn't bloatware the extra 8GB) If anyone who has the new MAX I would be curious how much storage you end up with before you install any apps.
It's disappointing that it's only an upgrade to 16gb considering the dirt cheap cost of flash storage. If space is only upgrade needed then recommended an OTG cable and usb3 memory stick.
@@hitforhelp I do that now but not all of the app can be transferred to the external storage. Many apps won't even let you move to the external storage. I have used a program to force move them but even at that they might not run from the external storage.
I was searching for a person like you on TH-cam who tells you the truth about any new product not just telling you to buy the newer version. Thank you for this amazing video. You won me as your new fan.
Just bought this firestick, sort of wish I watched this first but saying that, I'm glad at the end he did say that if your new to a firestick then it's worth buying, just not worth buying if your upgrading as it doesn't really offer anything extra, so all-in-all I think I'm still happy with my purchase but have to wait and see
I believe the companies (Netflix, etc) pay for the App buttons, they buy like a set amount of remote buttons, that’s why they change some times (and Amazon Music is there prob cos they couldn’t sell it)
Hey man. Good video. Just found your channel through Adam's fire stick 4k max review today. Can I ask what video doorbell you would recommend I use that works great with the fire stick and Alexa echo? Been shopping around for a fire stick recently. 🙏🏽
I would just add that the 4k max has 16 gb of storage up from 8gb on the previous version. That gives you more room for apps and games . Thank you for the review. l enjoyed your presentation .
We have the older 4K rectangular version and it was working fine. Until last week when it updated itself and its now stuck on the update screen. Talk to Amazon and 'oh its out of warrenty cant help you buy a new one'''' So this is now the second time this has happened so Im going to Chromecast instead...
Hi, I've got the same buttons as you (UK) I'm gutted, just got one of these and it doesn't support the BritBox app says "not compatible" ? WTF it works fine on the gen1 4k Max.
I agree with all of your nitpicks. Same awkward size, MicroUSB, No onboard Ethernet (and the dongle only supports 100 Mb/s), marginal performance increase, useless Ambient Experience (but nice screensavers). But I did just pick one up for $33. Worth it just for the larger remote. It also cam with Disney+ and Peacock (NBC (US) streaming app) as my extra buttons - bonus! I thought my old FireTV stick was just the HD version, but it turns out it was a 4k. Oh well, now I have a spare! Loved the Adam cameo! :-D
People, people…it’s a steal in the US (when on sale)…at $35….the ambient is amazing coming from the old screensaver….worth it for that alone! I am running a 10 yr old TV with a great picture but obviously dated OS….my TV is now effectively new again with this stick….
Most technology companies, like Amazon, who have people who [allegedly] 'design' stuff, haven't got the foggiest idea of what the word "design" truly means. It really infuriates qualified Designers, such as myself, that the totally ignore the fundamental principle that something should be fit for purpose, rather than someone’s random idea of what looks pretty. This is an excellent critique of what Amazon got wrong in their latest iteration of the 🔥 stick.
Nice video. Love your stuff Stu. Well produced. I have a beef with firetv 4k (not max). That device is more than capable of uhd (and works fine with Prime and Netflix. Clue is in the name surely), yet BBC wont certify it for iPlayer UHD. Annoyingly im now looking at 4k max now just for iPlayer UHD. Why no USB 3 type C? I thought Apple was the last hold out on that!
What happens when you go into the iplayer settings as turn on beta testing? Before I upgraded to the the 4k Max a few years back, that's what I seem to remember doing.
😂the buttons on the bottom are a small price to pay for a subsidized device. If the buttons were programmable then the price would increase substantially. But what should be done is give the consumers the choice of which model they want. One without the advertised services and one without. You would have the choice to pay a little more or a little less.
I bet the stats Amazon collect show less than 1% use an ethernet adapter on their Fire Stick. But yes it should have USB-C. After all - won't all new devices at the end of next year have to have USB-C - or is that only rechargeable devices only?
Syncs up with the rest of my smart home. Can build automations and routines with it, and can control it with my voice using my Alexa devices, which most inbuilt software can’t do
Two pro: new operating system 8 and double memory (I used up over 8GB in first week). Two cons: new OS8 hasn’t worked out its bugs yet, agreed mini usb power input is disappointing. Not sure why, but the picture quality is a notch up over the 1st gen Max, not sure why this would be true!
I actually gave my 4K Max remote to my sister. I got the Firestick Pro remote which has more useful buttons, not necessarily the specialized app buttons, but it does come with 2 buttons that are shortcuts to the 2 apps I use the most. Not to mention a button that can connect my Bluetooth headphones to the Firestick, which comes in handy when I’m streaming things late at night. If that’s not an upgrade, I don’t know what is
A USB port would be amazing. Looks like it back to the drawing board Amazon. If you don’t hire still at least take his advice, even if you don’t credit him for it. PS we will know it came from Stu anyways & Adam.👍
I do agree its not much of an upgrade from the previous version, unless you have Wifi 6E. But considering we are now seeing Wifi7 appearing it already seems the Stick is dated. I use Wifi 5 at home and will jump straight to 7 once the Fritzbox routers I use are selling with Wifi7. The sticks are cheap especially when on one of the regular Amazon deals, so its not much to invest. The other reason not to upgrade to this is they have removed the Disney+ button. I use the Netflix, Disney+ and Prime for streaming my TV channels. Would like to see the fourth button for You tube. Would never use Amazon music but would find it great if the stick could use those mp3 music files I have via an extra button. They should remove the microphone Alexa thing in the Remote which I have never used and let me have a USB port to store all my music directly in the Stick.
It's become ridiculous that since brexit Amazon now has an international version which your closest relatives, the Irish have to buy. A shame as the remote on the Uk version has better shortcut buttons....but there you go...
I ordered the the intl version, netflix, prime, apps and ....Internet.....internet.....also got a Uk version with prime, netflix , disney and amazon music
Oops! My bad! Still doesn’t change the experience though… so it’s hardly a big change IMO… especially when 99.9% of people stream content from the same 8 apps 👀
@@StusReviewsUKMany people use KODI so the storage increase is definitely a benefit. 8GB (or more like 5GB after OS) has always been on the stingy side & does affect performance.
@@StusReviewsUK Every fire remote has Netflix and Prime video. The other two buttons vary. But why do they vary the buttons anyway? Surely its easier to make all remotes the same
If you’re American and can’t speak English properly, a ‘rooter’ is a person, animal, or thing that roots, as with the snout. In proper English, a ‘router’ (pronounced rooter) is the machine which routes traffic through the internet. In the uneducated, they may pronounce this as rowter (“row” rhymes with “cow”), however in correct English, this pronunciation refers to the tool which cuts hollows in wood, metal or plastic (a router). That’s wth a rooter is.
honestly, imo every like smart tv device like these are all obselete since google dropped the chromecast tv, it just works perfectly, has an app for basically every streaming service and works seemlessly as just a regular chromecast if you need that for quickly showing something off ur phone
@@StusReviewsUK ah ok, I guess if you use Alexa devices it's probably a better fit, I don't know if the fire sticks do it aswell but can you like turn your tv on/off with it? One feature I love about the Chromecast is I can tell out to my nest hub or whatever and get Google to turn my tv on and stuff like that which can be quite handy if I'm doing something like cooking or cleaning and my hands are busy
Good evening I saw two let you know did you actually know they are put a chip in that to stop you doing the chipping for getting free channels and you are very limited what you can put on fire sticks now as there was a big talk about this on the Tech world
Extra storage is good, formatting a USB as internal storage works but still crap it does not work as good as Nvidia Shield Pro which properly uses the external drive as internal storage for all apps and data. Ambient is crap ruins Aerial Dream screen saver which now won't run and is 50 times better. Now blocking certain applications (Launcher Manager) claiming privacy & security concerns. Once they start blocking applications it's time to switch to another device. I paid for the device I should have a say on what applications I install on my own device. If they start going after any other applications and stop installation they will be in trouble and all my devices returned. Think we need a legal case to stop Amazon deciding what we can install on a device we paid for.
People still buying these ,surly most have smart tvs now ,same with chromecast .And if you use smart featuures why would you bother upgrading from a previous version if you have one that is.Put the £70 towards a smart tv
Almost all TVs do yes, but the fire sticks make more sense for me because the rest of my smart home runs through Amazon/alexa. I means I can control it with my voice without a remote and pair up the smart home dashboard to it for things like the PiP for the doorbell.
No one buys the Fire Stick because it's a user-friendly streamer with good apps what Amazon needs to do is more Internal storage and external SSD storage other than that you get what you pay for.
Jeremy Clarkson of electronics
Which is absolutely why I subscribed
Nice to find a reviewer from here in the UK! A lot more civil and humour that only we understand! Aside from that, this review has been very helpful in making my mind up. I currently have a Google Chromecast and looking for something a bit meatier.
The biggest improvement for my needs is the 16GB of storage (provided Amazon doesn't bloatware the extra 8GB) If anyone who has the new MAX I would be curious how much storage you end up with before you install any apps.
It's disappointing that it's only an upgrade to 16gb considering the dirt cheap cost of flash storage.
If space is only upgrade needed then recommended an OTG cable and usb3 memory stick.
@@hitforhelp I do that now but not all of the app can be transferred to the external storage. Many apps won't even let you move to the external storage. I have used
a program to force move them but even at that they might not run from the external storage.
4 blank buttons and app stickers to go on them so we can match the logos to our preferred apps would be even ideal.
I was searching for a person like you on TH-cam who tells you the truth about any new product not just telling you to buy the newer version. Thank you for this amazing video. You won me as your new fan.
Just bought this firestick, sort of wish I watched this first but saying that, I'm glad at the end he did say that if your new to a firestick then it's worth buying, just not worth buying if your upgrading as it doesn't really offer anything extra, so all-in-all I think I'm still happy with my purchase but have to wait and see
I believe the companies (Netflix, etc) pay for the App buttons, they buy like a set amount of remote buttons, that’s why they change some times (and Amazon Music is there prob cos they couldn’t sell it)
Eyup bud. I’m still outside the door…. Where are you!? 😂
Brilliant video bud 🍻
I’m not home. Please leave 😂😂😂🥃
you must be freezing Adam!
Hey man. Good video. Just found your channel through Adam's fire stick 4k max review today. Can I ask what video doorbell you would recommend I use that works great with the fire stick and Alexa echo? Been shopping around for a fire stick recently. 🙏🏽
I would just add that the 4k max has 16 gb of storage up from 8gb on the previous version. That gives you more room for apps and games . Thank you for the review. l enjoyed your presentation .
Brilliant. Best overview on TH-cam.
Nice review 😀👍 Pro remote is my favorite. Thanks for sharing.
We have the older 4K rectangular version and it was working fine. Until last week when it updated itself and its now stuck on the update screen. Talk to Amazon and 'oh its out of warrenty cant help you buy a new one'''' So this is now the second time this has happened so Im going to Chromecast instead...
Their piss heads. Days of good customer service are long gone. 🦊
Great review & verdict as always mate!
Cheers! 🥃
I use Amazon Music 😭 their HD content is great if you have a DAC and speakers!
😂 that’s 2/4 - obviously I was only joking 😃
@@StusReviewsUK too late, you’ve hurt my music streaming feelings now 😩
Yup pretty much sums it up. When on earth are they going to update the bloody dated ui.
This is on a new android version right? Same old skin
just found this channel - Jeremy C mrk II ... love it!
Hi, I've got the same buttons as you (UK)
I'm gutted, just got one of these and it doesn't support the BritBox app says "not compatible" ? WTF it works fine on the gen1 4k Max.
Can you please do a review between Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max Ultra HD and Xiaomi TV Stick 4K
the one feature this has that makes it stand out is ultraHD on audio if you stream music
Just one thing, have you verified the 16G part? I did when they said it was 8G. It wasn't. It was still only a bit over 5G.
I agree with all of your nitpicks. Same awkward size, MicroUSB, No onboard Ethernet (and the dongle only supports 100 Mb/s), marginal performance increase, useless Ambient Experience (but nice screensavers).
But I did just pick one up for $33. Worth it just for the larger remote. It also cam with Disney+ and Peacock (NBC (US) streaming app) as my extra buttons - bonus! I thought my old FireTV stick was just the HD version, but it turns out it was a 4k. Oh well, now I have a spare!
Loved the Adam cameo! :-D
I’m one of those six people that use amazon music instead of the other two subscriptions.
😂 I was only joking of course… but it definitely is amongst the least popular… still above TH-cam music (if that’s still a thing)?
What you're knocking TH-cam music now!!! I love TH-cam music!! ;)
People, people…it’s a steal in the US (when on sale)…at $35….the ambient is amazing coming from the old screensaver….worth it for that alone! I am running a 10 yr old TV with a great picture but obviously dated OS….my TV is now effectively new again with this stick….
I mean while amazon uses android u der the hood u can use adb to sideload a bitton remapper and map them to different usb
You didn’t cover mouse toggle on the new 2nd Generation Firestick 4K Max. I don’t think mouse toggle works with the 2nd generation version.
Most technology companies, like Amazon, who have people who [allegedly] 'design' stuff, haven't got the foggiest idea of what the word "design" truly means. It really infuriates qualified Designers, such as myself, that the totally ignore the fundamental principle that something should be fit for purpose, rather than someone’s random idea of what looks pretty. This is an excellent critique of what Amazon got wrong in their latest iteration of the 🔥 stick.
My four buttons at the bottom are: Prime Video, Netflix, apps & amazon music
I am not seeing the link to the Adam person's channel??
Third link down.
Amusingly I got an Amazon Music ad. Anyone else get an audio glitch while watching Netflix with the previous Max and a soundbar?
Omg I got fire sticks and fire cube also got eufy. So how do I make it pop up like yours plz x
Have you set up the eufy skill??
@@StusReviewsUK yes I had to check and it says I’ve linked it
Fire TV Stick 4K Max has a more powerful mediatek chip than the regular Fire TV Stick 4K
Nice video. Love your stuff Stu. Well produced. I have a beef with firetv 4k (not max). That device is more than capable of uhd (and works fine with Prime and Netflix. Clue is in the name surely), yet BBC wont certify it for iPlayer UHD. Annoyingly im now looking at 4k max now just for iPlayer UHD. Why no USB 3 type C? I thought Apple was the last hold out on that!
I didn’t realise that was the case with iPlayer and regular 4k stick… how strange is that!
What happens when you go into the iplayer settings as turn on beta testing? Before I upgraded to the the 4k Max a few years back, that's what I seem to remember doing.
@RetroBoxRoom yep been there done that. No BBC UHD.
How about a “Stu’s Reviews” button! 😂
Going to start a petition for this… might be a bit more useful than Amazon music… I have at least 4 viewers 👀😂
Will go 50/50 on the profits with you! This time next year ..... we could be no better off! @@StusReviewsUK
How much is this new fire stick?
😂the buttons on the bottom are a small price to pay for a subsidized device. If the buttons were programmable then the price would increase substantially. But what should be done is give the consumers the choice of which model they want. One without the advertised services and one without. You would have the choice to pay a little more or a little less.
Prime video, Netflix (don't have), Disney+ (don't have), and yes, Amazon music
You’ve also been cursed with Amazon music 😂
@@StusReviewsUK I thought everyone was cursed! Had no idea some people got useful buttons! Just my luck 🙄
16gb storage is a plus, since my first Gen is expanded anyway, It has nothing for me.
I bet the stats Amazon collect show less than 1% use an ethernet adapter on their Fire Stick.
But yes it should have USB-C. After all - won't all new devices at the end of next year have to have USB-C - or is that only rechargeable devices only?
True true, only the cool kids wire up 💅😂. And yeah that’s a good point re usb c 🤔
I hate those buttons, always hitting one by accident in the dark, i wish u could choose too or plain disabled them!
The pro remote is better for that because it’s backlit👍
Thanks dood. Damned good vid per usual.
#firsties
Welcome back 🥃... oh and Winner Winner - Chicken Dinner! 🍗👑
Prime Video, Netflix, Amazon Music and Disney +
That’s a good one… to make it better, Amazon music would need to be gone In exchange for the all app hotkey
Why would one want to purchase a stick to use apps when those apps are on their TV? What more do these things do?
Syncs up with the rest of my smart home. Can build automations and routines with it, and can control it with my voice using my Alexa devices, which most inbuilt software can’t do
@@StusReviewsUK Thank you for your attention. Love your witty humor. Ciao from the US.
Because I’m using a 10 yr old TV with a great picture but an old OS…..the stick makes it new again,,,,
I got the same buttons as you but I don't care because I don't use them anyway
How does one go about if one wants to send Stu a bottle of peaty whiskey i wonder!
My wife already thinks I drink too much whisky 😂. Best stick with a comment and thumbs up every now and then - that works for me 👍🥃
Two pro: new operating system 8 and double memory (I used up over 8GB in first week). Two cons: new OS8 hasn’t worked out its bugs yet, agreed mini usb power input is disappointing. Not sure why, but the picture quality is a notch up over the 1st gen Max, not sure why this would be true!
I wish mine had Amazon Music! It came with Direct TV…. I DONT HAVE DIRECT TV🤬
I actually gave my 4K Max remote to my sister. I got the Firestick Pro remote which has more useful buttons, not necessarily the specialized app buttons, but it does come with 2 buttons that are shortcuts to the 2 apps I use the most. Not to mention a button that can connect my Bluetooth headphones to the Firestick, which comes in handy when I’m streaming things late at night. If that’s not an upgrade, I don’t know what is
It does have more space
A USB port would be amazing. Looks like it back to the drawing board Amazon. If you don’t hire still at least take his advice, even if you don’t credit him for it.
PS we will know it came from Stu anyways & Adam.👍
I do agree its not much of an upgrade from the previous version, unless you have Wifi 6E. But considering we are now seeing Wifi7 appearing it already seems the Stick is dated. I use Wifi 5 at home and will jump straight to 7 once the Fritzbox routers I use are selling with Wifi7. The sticks are cheap especially when on one of the regular Amazon deals, so its not much to invest. The other reason not to upgrade to this is they have removed the Disney+ button. I use the Netflix, Disney+ and Prime for streaming my TV channels. Would like to see the fourth button for You tube.
Would never use Amazon music but would find it great if the stick could use those mp3 music files I have via an extra button. They should remove the microphone Alexa thing in the Remote which I have never used and let me have a USB port to store all my music directly in the Stick.
It's become ridiculous that since brexit Amazon now has an international version which your closest relatives, the Irish have to buy. A shame as the remote on the Uk version has better shortcut buttons....but there you go...
What’s yours got???
I ordered the the intl version, netflix, prime, apps and ....Internet.....internet.....also got a Uk version with prime, netflix , disney and amazon music
Prime video, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon music
So what would you recommend ruko?
Remember when fire sticks use to be around £12
Those days are long gone 😭
What the hell is a rooter?
The biggest change isn’t the ambient experience, it’s the storage, which has doubled to 16GB, and you completely forgot to say anything about it 🤦🏻♂️
Oops! My bad! Still doesn’t change the experience though… so it’s hardly a big change IMO… especially when 99.9% of people stream content from the same 8 apps 👀
@@StusReviewsUKMany people use KODI so the storage increase is definitely a benefit. 8GB (or more like 5GB after OS) has always been on the stingy side & does affect performance.
@bbb5939 true true!
Luna is 1080p lol after years there's still no upgrade.
Prime video, netflix, Apps, Amazon music
Looks to me like everyone has been cursed with Amazon music. 👀
@@StusReviewsUK Every fire remote has Netflix and Prime video. The other two buttons vary. But why do they vary the buttons anyway? Surely its easier to make all remotes the same
Amazon seem to have lost the plot 😂
They really have 😂
It could have been that other guy at your door. I think you know who I mean.
Not even that other guy knows as much about fire sticks as this man!
Well damn I use Amazon Music 😂
wth is a rooter?
If you’re American and can’t speak English properly, a ‘rooter’ is a person, animal, or thing that roots, as with the snout.
In proper English, a ‘router’ (pronounced rooter) is the machine which routes traffic through the internet.
In the uneducated, they may pronounce this as rowter (“row” rhymes with “cow”), however in correct English, this pronunciation refers to the tool which cuts hollows in wood, metal or plastic (a router).
That’s wth a rooter is.
@@StusReviewsUK Are you implying that Americans are uneducated?
Don't buy Junk Nvidia Shield Pro is still good especially when you learn to customise with new launcher and orientation setter
honestly, imo every like smart tv device like these are all obselete since google dropped the chromecast tv, it just works perfectly, has an app for basically every streaming service and works seemlessly as just a regular chromecast if you need that for quickly showing something off ur phone
CC is good, but the fire sticks work better for me as everything is connected to Alexa.
@@StusReviewsUK ah ok, I guess if you use Alexa devices it's probably a better fit, I don't know if the fire sticks do it aswell but can you like turn your tv on/off with it? One feature I love about the Chromecast is I can tell out to my nest hub or whatever and get Google to turn my tv on and stuff like that which can be quite handy if I'm doing something like cooking or cleaning and my hands are busy
Oh, Radii
Good evening I saw two let you know did you actually know they are put a chip in that to stop you doing the chipping for getting free channels and you are very limited what you can put on fire sticks now as there was a big talk about this on the Tech world
Interesting stuff... i know a man who might share some thoughts on this at some point... and he's at the door right now 👀 😂
Not worth it if you already have a 4k Max, i wont be changing
Extra storage is good, formatting a USB as internal storage works but still crap it does not work as good as Nvidia Shield Pro which properly uses the external drive as internal storage for all apps and data. Ambient is crap ruins Aerial Dream screen saver which now won't run and is 50 times better. Now blocking certain applications (Launcher Manager) claiming privacy & security concerns. Once they start blocking applications it's time to switch to another device. I paid for the device I should have a say on what applications I install on my own device. If they start going after any other applications and stop installation they will be in trouble and all my devices returned.
Think we need a legal case to stop Amazon deciding what we can install on a device we paid for.
the ambient feature is a waste of time and space, if the tv isn't being used switch it off.
People still buying these ,surly most have smart tvs now ,same with chromecast .And if you use smart featuures why would you bother upgrading from a previous version if you have one that is.Put the £70 towards a smart tv
Almost all TVs do yes, but the fire sticks make more sense for me because the rest of my smart home runs through Amazon/alexa. I means I can control it with my voice without a remote and pair up the smart home dashboard to it for things like the PiP for the doorbell.
Side loading my friend
THANKS WILL NOT BE MY FIRST ONE even if I can afford .
Prime video, Netflix, Disney +(🤢), and Hulu
You scored a cracker with that one. Maybe I should set up a swap shop for Amazon remotes 😂
Disagree. Max stick is much, much faster than previous.
It’s faster… and like I said makes a noticeable difference navigating the UX, but I’m still finding it slightly underpowered 👀
@@StusReviewsUK 👍
No one buys the Fire Stick because it's a user-friendly streamer with good apps what Amazon needs to do is more Internal storage and external SSD storage other than that you get what you pay for.
I would want a youTube button on my Fire Stick.
That would be nice! Not one that i've ever seen though.... but someone out there might have one 👀