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The differences between Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick are a bit hard to find, and it feels like you’re playing one of those old Highlights For Children games where you see the differences between two very similar photos.
Yes, the two new streaming devices announced at Amazon’s event on September 24 may look practically identical, but there are key differences between these two devices, which will likely change the way you stream with each. And they seem fast enough to possibly land on our list of best streaming devices.
Interestingly, each of these devices differs less in the internals of the actual device than their included remote controls, although there is a noticeable difference in audio quality between them.
Here’s a closer look at the Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick, with a view to finding the right streaming device for you.
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: Specs Comparison
Fire TV Stick Lite | Fire TV Stick (2020) | |
---|---|---|
Image quality | 1080p Full HD (HDR, HDR 10, HDR10 +, HLG) | 1080p Full HD (HDR, HDR 10, HDR10 +, HLG) |
Audio quality | Dolby Audio over HDMI pass-through | Dolby Atmos Audio |
Remote | Alexa Voice Remote Lite (without TV controls) | Alexa voice remote control |
Price | $ 29.99 | $ 39.99 |
Storage | 8GB | 8GB |
Processor | 1.7 GHz quad-core | 1.7 GHz quad-core |
Also in the box | 2 AAA batteries, HDMI extender, USB cable and power supply, Alexa Voice Remote Lite | 2 AAA batteries, HDMI extender, USB cable and power supply, Alexa Voice Remote |
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: price and value
This one is easy. The Fire TV Stick Lite is so lite because its price is not that high for your budget. Yes, if you thought the $ 40 Fire TV Stick was too expensive, you might be interested in checking out the $ 30 Fire TV Stick Lite.
While the Fire TV Stick Lite trades in some features for the $ 10 you’re saving, it’s still seriously comparable and makes for a great-value option.
Winner: Fire TV Stick Lite
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: Design
This is where you may need to squint … but not at the Sticks themselves. The Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick share the same 3.4 x 1.2 x 0.5-inch design, and both weigh 1.1 ounces.
The Fire TV Stick Lite and Fire TV Stick 2020 also connect to your TV in the same way, via its internal HDMI port, although Amazon includes an HDMI extender if you have difficulty accessing the ports on the back of your television. .
Both also feature a chassis made from 100% recycled die-cast aluminum, as they are part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly project. This initiative is part of the company that declares its “commitment to be net zero carbon emissions across our business by 2040.”
Winner: Tie
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: Remote Control
I’ll argue that the biggest differences on the Fire TV Stick Lite and the regular Fire TV Stick lie in their remote. The Fire TV Stick Lite’s Alexa Remote Lite is coy with some of the buttons that make the regular Fire TV Alexa Remote more capable.
Specifically, the regular Alexa Remote has TV controls for power (in the upper right corner) and volume (up, down, and mute, below all other buttons). The only button you are missing, which the Alexa Remote Lite has, is the Guide button, which probably displays the Live TV Guide. Amazon did not explain this in its presentation or on its product page, and we will update this story when we learn more.
That’s potentially annoying for anyone who wants to just use a remote and not juggle the one on their TV and the Alexa Remote Lite. But that might not matter for those who prefer to use the Amazon Fire app on their phone as a digital remote. Alexa can perform these functions too, but I don’t always want to talk to my remote when I’m watching TV, and I doubt it’s the only one.
Winner: Fire TV Stick 2020
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: streaming quality
Both the Fire TV Stick Lite and the Fire TV Stick 2020 offer one of the most important features when it comes to streaming TV: Full HD 1080p video output. Both sticks are also compatible with HDR, HDR 10, HDR10 + and HLG video standards.
The only way they differ under the hood is in the audio. The Fire TV Stick 2020 has Dolby Atmos Audio, while the Fire TV Stick Lite has only Dolby Audio, and only through HDMI pass-through.
The difference between the two is based on surround sound. With Dolby Atmos, audio is streamed through your television and AV equipment in specific ways to create dimensionality. In Dolby’s own words, it provides “multi-dimensional sound with incredible clarity that surrounds you.” We bet people with their own multi-channel home stereo are more likely to see the difference.
Dolby Audio is not that impressive, it focuses on providing rich and powerful sound quality. It works with surround sound equipment too, but Dolby doesn’t target the same immersion.
Winner: Fire TV Stick 2020
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: performance
While we haven’t tested the Fire TV Stick Lite or Fire TV Stick yet, we are already spotting a tie in this category. Amazon rates these sticks for the same performance and power saving gains – 50% faster speed and 50% less power consumption (both compared to the previous Fire TV Stick).
This makes sense, as they both run on 1.7GHz quad-core processors (same chip, it looks like it’s in the Fire TV Stick 4K). In addition, both have 8 GB of storage.
If one of these Fire Sticks is surprisingly faster than the other, we’ll update this showdown accordingly.
Winner: Tie
Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick: Outlook
On paper, it seems that the Fire TV Stick Lite is probably the best for most people. Those who want to limit the number of remotes in their living room or get the best sound quality may disagree, but the Lite’s lower $ 10 price tag makes it even more accessible to consumers (and we wouldn’t be surprised. watch it get even cheaper this holiday season).
While I personally prefer to have the Fire TV Stick’s power and TV volume buttons, it’s hard to argue that they’re worth $ 10. When both Fire TV Sticks have the same processor, storage, and video quality, it’s not hard to see why many will opt. for saving money and getting the less expensive Fire TV Stick.
Once we test the Fire TV Stick Lite and the Fire TV Stick, we’ll be sure to update this story accordingly and deliver a conclusive ending to this showdown.