Several affordable 4K TVs in the market promise 4K-level quality but they sometimes do not do justice with the content. The backend technology is not powerful enough to handle codecs that are responsible for smooth and efficient streaming of high-quality content. Some of them are marketed as “smart” but they often struggle with intuitive interfaces, sluggish performance or limited app ecosystems that fail to keep pace with evolving streaming requirements.One of the most accessible solutions in the market is Amazon’s Fire TV Stick lineup, a device that has historically transformed ‘dumb’ televisions into a streaming powerhouses. The company launched the Fire TV Stick 4K Select in India in October as entry-level offering in the 4K category with an aim to offer a balance of affordability with essential features. Priced at Rs 3,999 (launch price 5,499), this streaming device aims to deliver meaningful improvements not only to non-smart TVs but even those sets whose built-in television interface are ‘not up-to-the-mark’, without demanding premium pricing. In this review, we evaluate the performance of this budget-oriented 4K streamer, and after extensive daily use across various content types and streaming platforms, here’s what we found.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select : Setup and design
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select arrives in basic packaging containing things necessary for immediate operation: the familiar streaming stick, a power adapter, Micro-USB power cable (not USB Type-C standard), HDMI extender, and the Alexa Voice Remote with batteries. The HDMI extender helps in attaching the stick in ports in tight clearances or awkward angles that prevent direct stick insertion.
The streaming stick has a compact design and discreet form factor that keeps it ‘hidden’ once plugged behind your television, offering a significant advantage over bulkier set-top boxes, or even puck-shaped streamers. As usual, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select pack included Alexa Voice…