Disclosure: Our experts test apps for security before recommending them. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. See how it works.
Amazon has officially announced the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, the first streaming device to run on Vega OS (Amazon’s new in-house operating system).
Priced at $39.99, the device is now available for pre-order and will begin shipping on October 15.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is powered by a MediaTek MT8698 quad-core CPU paired with a Mali-G310 GPU and comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage.
It supports HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, though it does not include Dolby Vision. Connectivity is provided via WiFi 5 (a step back from the WiFi 6 and 6E found on other Android-based Fire TV devices).
Despite the limited RAM and storage, Amazon claims that the device runs “remarkably fast”, thanks to the lightweight and optimized Vega OS 👇
Amazon has clearly stated in FireSick 4K Select listing that since Vega OS is not based on Android, sideloading is no longer supported on this model👇
This means that not only has Amazon shut the door on sideloading third-party apps, but the options on Amazon Appstore are also limited until the apps are rebuilt for Vega OS.
However, Amazon confirms that Vega OS supports popular apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and Apple TV+, with Xbox, Luna, and Alexa+ “coming soon”.
Please note that other new Fire TV devices introduced alongside it, such as the Omni QLED and Fire TV 4-Series, will continue using the Android-based Fire OS.
