Jen Karner / Digital Trends
Accessing your favored show and picture show is easier than ever , thanks to how secure the lateststreaming deviceshave get . While there are plenty of heavy selection out there , theAmazon Fire TV Stick , andApple TVboth deliver tons of cracking content right to your television without any additional hassle .
Both the Apple TV 4 K and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4 K Max are stellar alternative that create a hub for accessing the estimable streaming services , downloading apps , and even playing games . That imply that once you place in one , you wo n’t postulate to vex about picking up another streaming machine , because they have it care . However , there are some pretty significant differences between the two , from Mary Leontyne Price to user interface and more , that are worth hold back out . So , which one is the correct option for you ? permit ’s stab in .
Jen Karner / Digital Trends
User interface
Both Apple and Amazon have put in the fourth dimension to deliver polished port that are easy to use . you may quickly obtain your favorite message without scrolling through sempiternal menus , and you may easily download themost popular cyclosis appsto check you may always rewatch your comfort show after a recollective day .
Apple television 4Khas a Home Screen that has rectangular app icons that can be rearranged however you prefer . This makes it easy to have your most used apps right there and waiting for you when you turn it on . Siri is also available through the interface by using theApple remote control , reserve you to use vocalism commands to search or launching apps . There is also a delightful lack of any kind of ads within the Apple TV interface , which makes it a much more pleasurable experience overall .
instead , theAmazon Fire TV Stick 4 K Maxfeatures a tile system for it ’s interface . The roofing tile will live with your most lately used apps , alongside its internal recommendation engine . This mean that Amazon delivers a more personalized experience than Apple , which can be handy for discovering new content you did n’t know existed . you may also research using Alexa , make it wanton to find apps without call for to do it manually , although that does remain an option uncommitted to you . The vainglorious downside of Amazon Fire TV is the inclusion of advertizing , which can be aggravating when they auto - play as it open .
Both Amazon and Apple make out with an admit remote , which makes it promiscuous to trigger the voice assistant or hunting manually . They allow you to seek , as well as deal the remote , all from one twist , instead of needing multiple remote in gild to control the hub and your television separately .
Content
While streaming through either Amazon or Apple , you ’ll involve to download the apps that you want to watch . Thankfully , both services have access to most ( if not all ) of the in effect apps out there , whether you desire TV on need ( VOD ) orlive streams . you’re able to find oneself big gens likeAmazon Prime Video , Netflix , andHulu , along withFAST streamingoptions like Tubi .
Along with streaming your favorite show and motion-picture show , both Amazon and Apple let you get at a variety of games . The Amazon Fire TV Stick delivers access to both Xbox Game Pass and Amazon Luna . This means that you could use it to get at and play some of your favorite game , without needing any excess steps to get there .
Apple video does n’t include access to Xbox Game Pass , but it does let you play games fromApple Arcade . There are more than 200 game uncommitted , and all of them are available across all iOS devices , along with being free of ads or in - app purchases . Apple seems to be thinking about the future of game with Apple goggle box as well , if the new addition of Apple ’s A15 Bionic chip is anything to go by . It means that Apple is putting serious thought into the future of Apple TV , and ensuring that this streaming machine will be able to handle anything you ask it to do for year to come .
Smart home
If you have a variety ofsmart house devices , then you ’re in fortune with both the Fire Stick 4 K Max and Apple TV 4K. Apple supports itsHomeKitstandard , while the Fire video Stick can control anyAlexa - enabled devices .
Apple has put some thought into the future of connected homes as well , making Apple TVThread enable . This means that smar thome devices that are yarn enabled with connect with your Apple TV , includinglights , thermostats , smart tv camera , and more . Thread works as a low - powered wireless communications system that ’s independent of your home wireless meshing . Only one thread gadget postulate actual access to the cyberspace , since all the other gadget are “ threaded ” together .
Both devices also support voguish camera , make it easy to contain who is at the door without involve to actually get up to do it . However , it is worth noting that Amazon has far more Alexa - compatible gimmick than Apple ’s inclination of HomeKit stick out option , which may be the deciding factor for some folks .
Casting and mirroring
If you want to share substance on your phone or tablet , you’re able to do so with either the Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV Stick . Apple offer AirPlay , allow any iOS twist to divvy up its screen . Sadly , Apple TV does n’t diddle nicely with non - Apple equipment , so you wo n’t find yourself link your Android smartphone any time before long .
Amazon Fire TV Stick plays a like card , supporting screen mirroring from some Android devices , but not from iOS and MacOS devices . You want a Miracast - enabled gimmick for mirror your cover to the Amazon Fire Stick , and its worth mark that while mirror your concealment , Alexa functionality is not uncommitted .
This have in mind you design to routinely mirror content from your phone to your TV , you ’ll want the option that bear out the smartphone and tablets you ’re already using .
Video and audio quality
When it comes to the quality of video and sound , there are a few thing to remember . While both apps do have access to 4 chiliad , you stillneed a TVthat is up to of display in that resolution ( for more on this , tick off outour 4 K TV explainer ) . This means if you ’re learn on an sr. television system , even if you open a 4 K stream , it is n’t blend in to exhibit in that resolution . alike , its worth remember that you ’ll require a high - amphetamine net association so as to get the serious potential experience while watching .
The Apple TV 4 K and the Fire Stick 4 potassium Max both stream in 4 K , and includeHDR 10 + HDR support . This means that whichever equipment you choose , you should receive crystal clear picture up to 4 K , so long as the streaming service of process you ’re watch has it available .
Apple TV 4 K also has a unique advantage withSpatial Audio . That ’s because Apple TV 4 atomic number 19 connects withAirPods Pro 2or theAirPods Max , and once head trailing is turned on , it delivers big pic field sound from the comfort of your home . In terms of general audio quality , both Amazon and Apple support up to Dolby 7.1 and include support forDolby Atmos .
How much do they cost?
cost is where you ’ll see a major deviation between these two gimmick . Amazon has the more affordable choice at only $ 60 for the Fire Stick Max 4 K , while the Apple TV 4 K ( WiFi + Ethernet model ) is much pricier at $ 150 . While there is a bit of sticker shock here , it ’s deserving remembering that Apple has a lot more under the cowling and is reckon you ’ll desire to keep the Apple TV 4 special K as your main hub for year to come .
Under the hood , it ’s clear why there ’s a price disparity . Apple TV 4 K come with 128 GB of onboard storage versus the 16 GB on onboard storehouse with the Fire TV Stick Max 4k . Apple also has the wooden leg up with good connectivity thanks to it ’s integration with Thread .
Conclusion
Trying to decide which of these streaming devices is just for your home really comes down to which ones suits your needs well . Both Amazon and Apple have delivered excellent streaming hubs make full with feature that are soft and intuitive to use , and also act well as saucy household hubs .
For Android users , Xbox gamers , and folks on a budget , the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4 K Max is probably the better pick . At only $ 60 , it ’s less than a new AAA video game , delivers access to Game Pass along with Amazon Luna , and you may mirror your screen .
Alternatively , if you ’re already an iOS user , you ’re vest in Thread devices for your smarthome , or you want a hub that is built to last for at least a few old age , the Apple TV 4 K is the better bet . It connect with a variety of devices , and can mirror screen from iOS devices . The added benefits of a ton of onboard storage and a potent A15 Bionic chip are n’t anything to scoff at either .
In the end , the best option will in all probability be based on what fresh home geartrain you own and whether or not you subsist in the Android ecosystem , best suit for Fire TV Stick , or the Apple ecosystem , intimately fit for none other than the Apple TV .
