Amazon launches 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick HD that's slimmer, smarter, and faster
Amazon has announced a new streaming device under its Fire TV Stick line. The new Fire TV Stick HD (2nd Gen), which is positioned behind the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, arrives with a new design and the new Fire TV Experience user interface that debuted earlier this year.
The Fire TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) or Fire TV Stick HD 2026 is now slimmer; according to Amazon, it is 30% slimmer than its predecessor and is currently the slimmest model in its streaming device lineup. It has also been designed to be powered by your TV's USB port, so owners do not require plugging into a wall outlet. However, you now need a USB-C cable for power and not a micro-USB cable like the previous generation.
The new Fire TV Stick HD is still powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, but Amazon says the new stick is 30% faster than the last gen model. It also still has 8GB of storage, along with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and Bluetooth Low Energy. Amazon specifically states that the USB-C port is for power only.
The streaming stick has a 1080p output with support for HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby-encoded audio (HDMI pass-through). It comes with an Alexa Voice Remote and has support for Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass.
Amazon ships the Fire TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) with the new Fire TV Experience UI which comes with Alexa+. The new UI is reported to be cleaner, faster, and better organized, making it easier for users to easily find what to watch. For example, when searching for movies, titles will appear from all the services you are subscribed to.
Another addition is the ability to pin up to 20 apps to the home screen, a significant upgrade from the 6 apps of the former UI. Owners of the Fire TV Stick HD can also use Alexa+ to find what to watch or ask it to create an AI-generated background or even control compatible smart home lights and appliances.
The Fire TV Stick HD (2nd Gen) is available to pre-order now for $34.99 ahead of its release on April 29. The previous generation is also still available to purchase and is currently on sale for $19.99 (original price is $34.99).
Add as a preferred