Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K drops Android. What does that mean?

Calendar 10/1/2026

This article is an English translation of our original Polish review. Read the original on Wybierz.tv.

Amazon
Amazon

Amazon has unveiled the new Fire TV Stick 4K, which replaces the previous Fire TV Stick 4K Select and Fire TV Stick 4K Plus models. The device supports 4K at 60 fps and HDR10+, but the most important change is the operating system. Amazon has once again moved away from Android and is using its own Vega OS.

Vega OS instead of Android. It's a significant change for users

The new Fire TV Stick 4K runs on Vega OS, which Amazon is developing as its own platform for Fire TV devices. In practice, this means moving away from the previous Android-based approach and changing how apps are managed. This doesn't cause major problems for popular streaming services, because providers such as Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+, among many others, remain available. For less popular apps, compatibility may differ from older Fire TV devices. It's certainly a noticeable change, and users will need to adapt to the new OS.

Photo: Amazon

Fire TV Stick 4K will support HDR10+

The new stick can play 4K content at 60 fps. HDR10+ is also on the list of supported formats. However, according to FlatpanelsHD the device does not support Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos. Owners of TVs and audio systems that support those standards should check the new model’s specifications before buying. The Fire TV Stick 4K can also be powered directly from the TV’s USB port, so using an external power adapter plugged into the mains won’t always be necessary.

Parameter

Fire TV Stick 4K (2026)

Resolution

up to 4K (2160p)

HDR

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

Video codecs

H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1

Operating system

Vega OS

Processor

Quad-core, 1.7 GHz

Internal storage

8 GB

Wi-Fi

Wi‑Fi 6

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3 + BLE

Power

TV USB (Direct Power)

Dolby Vision

No

Starting price

USD 59.99 (approx. AUD 85 at a simple conversion)

Amazon started selling its new hardware in select markets on 30 September. At the time of publication, we don't have any news of a launch in Poland. The streaming stick is, however, available from our western neighbours. Amazon says it will roll the device out to more markets in the coming months. Maybe we'll get it 😉.

Sources: Amazon, FlatpanelsHD

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