Fire TV Stick 4K Select in India: Is It Worth Upgrading From Your Current TV Stick?
Amazon just launched the Fire TV Stick 4K Select in India at ₹5,499 and yes, it’s the first Fire TV device to run Vega OS, not Android. Positioned below the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and Fire TV Cube, this model is designed to offer 4K HDR streaming at a slightly more affordable tier. If you’re considering upgrading your TV experience (or converting a non-smart TV) this year, it’s worth evaluating what this model offers and whether it’s the right move for your setup and budget.
1. First Things First: What Is Fire TV Stick 4K Select Device?
Think of Fire TV Stick 4K Select as a ₹5,500 remote that turns any HDMI TV into a smart 4K streaming machine.
- Size: Slightly bigger than a matchbox (99 × 30 × 14 mm)
- Weight: 45 grams – lighter than your phone
- Plugs into: HDMI port at the back of your TV
- Needs: Wi-Fi + power socket (uses your phone charger if you want)
What you get in the box:
- Fire TV Stick 4K Select Stick
- Alexa Voice Remote (with Netflix, Prime, Hotstar buttons)
- HDMI extender (for tight TV ports)
- USB-C cable + 5W adapter
Setup takes under 5 minutes: plug in, connect to Wi-Fi, log in with Amazon ID. Done.
2. What Can You Actually Watch with Fire TV Stick 4K Select?
| App | 4K? | HDR? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video | Yes | Dolby Vision | Best experience – auto HDR |
| Netflix | Yes | Dolby Vision | Needs Premium plan |
| Disney+ Hotstar | Yes | HDR10+ | IPL, movies look sharp |
| YouTube | Yes (4K SDR) | No HDR | No 4K HDR due to codec limit |
| Zee5, SonyLIV, JioCinema | Up to 1080p | No | Still smooth |
Bottom line: If you watch Prime, Netflix, or Hotstar in 4K, this stick delivers. If YouTube 4K HDR is your main thing – it won’t.
3. The Remote: Actually Useful
- Dedicated buttons: Prime, Netflix, Hotstar – no digging
- Volume & power control for your TV (learns from your old remote)
- Voice search: “Alexa, play Sacred Games in Hindi” – works 9/10 times
- Hindi voice commands: Mostly accurate (“Taarak Mehta ka show laga do”)
Downside: Uses 2 AAA batteries, you’ll replace them every 6-8 months.
4. New Vega OS: What Changed?
Amazon ditched Android. Here’s what that means for you:
| Old Fire OS (Android) | New Vega OS |
|---|---|
| Could install any APK | No sideloading |
| Google Play Store | Amazon Appstore only |
| Cluttered interface | Cleaner, faster |
| More app options | Only approved apps |
If you just want Netflix + Prime + Hotstar, you won’t notice.
5. Should You Buy Fire TV Stick 4K Select ?
Ask yourself the following:
- Is your current TV’s smart platform slow or limited (open-source apps missing, frequent lags)?
- Are you using or plan to use 4K HDR content (Netflix-4K, Amazon Prime 4K, Disney+ 4K) on your TV?
- Does your home Internet speed and Wi-Fi router support reliable 4K streaming (ideally 40+ Mbps dedicated for the TV, 5GHz band)?
- Is your budget around ₹5,000-6,000 and you want a streaming-upgrade rather than replacing the entire TV?
- Conversely: if your current TV is already smart, fast, 4K-HDR-capable and you rarely watch 4K content, then the upgrade may be less urgent.
If you answered “yes” to most of the first set, then the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is a strong pick. If many of your answers lean “no”, you may wait or spend your budget elsewhere (e.g., a better router, or a TV upgrade) instead.
6. How Does It Compare Other 4K TV Sticks?
| Device | Price | Best For | Avoid If |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire TV Stick 4K Select | ₹5,499 | Prime + Netflix users | Want full app freedom |
| Fire TV Stick 4K Max | ₹6,499 | Faster Wi-Fi, more storage | On tight budget |
| Chromecast with Google TV | ₹6,399 | Google/YouTube fans | Hate small remote |
| Apple TV 4K | ₹14,900 | iPhone family | Budget under ₹10K |
How It Compares to the Previous Fire TV Stick 4K (Non-Select)
Since the “Select” model joins a lineup of similar devices, here’s how the upgrade-decision plays out:
- The prior Fire TV Stick 4K (2024 version) was reviewed at around ₹5,999 in India.
- That model had full HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6, and generally strong performance in reviews.
- The new “Select” model is positioned at a lower price point (₹5,499) but come with compromises 1GB RAM vs 2GB RAM in previous model.
- If you already own a Fire TV Stick 4K (or equivalent) the benefit of jumping to the “Select” may be less compelling unless your current stick is older or under-performing.
7. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select Price & Where to Buy
| Store | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.in | ₹5,499 | 10% off with SBI Card (max ₹500) |
| Croma / Reliance Digital | ₹5,499 | 6-month no-cost EMI |
| Blinkit / Zepto | ₹5,499 | 60-min delivery (select cities) |
Summary
The Fire TV Stick 4K Select brings compelling value for users looking to upgrade their streaming device without replacing the TV. With 4K HDR support, access to a broad streaming ecosystem, and the backing of Amazon’s platform, it meets many practical needs.
However, it is not a dramatic leap from recent 4K sticks or smart TVs, if you already have a decent 4K setup, the benefits may be marginal. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific setup (TV + network), how much you watch 4K content, and whether your current device is falling short.
If you’re buying a new streaming stick around σ₹5,000 and your TV/internet setup allows it, then this device offers a smart upgrade.
