Amazon has expanded its streaming device portfolio in India with the launch of the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, a new budget-friendly offering designed to bring high-quality 4K entertainment to a wider audience. Priced at ₹5,499, the device positions itself as an accessible entry point into the world of Ultra HD streaming, powered by the company’s new Vega Operating System for a smoother, more responsive user experience.
Launched on Wednesday, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select aims to bridge the gap for users with older television sets, offering a simple plug-and-play solution to upgrade their viewing experience without the need for a new TV.
Price and Availability: Wide Retail Presence
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is priced at ₹5,499 in India. Demonstrating a modern multi-channel strategy, the device is available through a variety of online and offline retailers:
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Online: Amazon.in, and notably, quick-commerce platforms Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
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Offline: Major electronics chains including Croma, Vijay Sales, and Reliance Digital.
This widespread availability ensures customers can purchase the device through their preferred channel, with the added convenience of near-instant delivery from quick-commerce apps.
Key Features and Performance
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select is not just about affordability; it packs a suite of features that make it a compelling option in the competitive streaming device market.
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4K Ultra HD with HDR10+: The device supports 4K resolution streaming, ensuring crystal-clear picture quality. With support for HDR10+, it dynamically adjusts brightness and contrast on a scene-by-scene basis, promising richer colours, deeper blacks, and a more lifelike viewing experience.
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Vega OS and Quad-Core Power: At the heart of this Fire TV Stick is Amazon’s new Vega Operating System, designed from the ground up for efficiency and speed. It is driven by a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, which Amazon claims is the fastest in any Fire TV Stick available in India. This combination is touted to deliver faster app launches, a smoother interface, and better overall responsiveness compared to previous generations.
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HDCP 2.2 Compatibility for Older TVs: A standout feature for many potential buyers is its support for HDCP 2.2 over HDMI. This technology is crucial for playing protected 4K content. Many older 4K TVs lack this specific standard, preventing them from streaming 4K from various services. The Fire TV Stick 4K Select bypasses this limitation, effectively upgrading compatible older TVs to full 4K streaming capability.
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Fire TV Ambient Experience: Making its debut in India with this device, the Fire TV Ambient Experience transforms the TV screen when not in use. Users can display a rotating gallery of over 2,000 works of art and professional photographs, turning their television into a digital canvas.
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Alexa Voice Remote: The package includes an Alexa Voice Remote, allowing users to search for content, control playback, switch apps, and adjust volume using just their voice. Beyond entertainment, the remote can also be used to manage compatible smart home devices like lights, ACs, and fans, positioning the Fire TV Stick as a central hub for smart home control.
Content and Ecosystem
The device provides seamless access to a vast library of content from all major streaming platforms, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, and Zee5, among others. The integration with Amazon’s ecosystem also means easy access to music services, games, and other apps from the Fire TV Appstore.
Positioning in the Market
The launch of the Fire TV Stick 4K Select effectively creates a new tier in Amazon’s lineup. It offers the core 4K HDR streaming experience and the new Vega OS at a more accessible price point than the flagship Fire TV Stick 4K Max, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious consumers looking to step up from HD streaming or revitalize an older 4K television.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Priced at ₹5,499, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is Amazon’s new affordable 4K streaming device in India.
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It runs on the new Vega OS powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core processor for faster performance.
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HDCP 2.2 support enables 4K streaming on older TVs that lack the standard.
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Features include 4K Ultra HD, HDR10+, and the Fire TV Ambient Experience.
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The included Alexa Voice Remote controls both entertainment and smart home devices.
With its strategic pricing, performance-focused hardware, and feature-rich software, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is poised to be a significant player in the Indian streaming device market, offering a compelling reason for users to upgrade their home entertainment setup.