The new Amazon Fire TV Stick HD runs off a TV's USB port, so you don't need a separate wall plug.

Smaller, faster and designed to tuck behind your TV, Amazon has reworked its entry-level streaming dongle into its slimmest Fire TV Stick yet. The company says the new Fire TV Stick HD is over 30% thinner than the previous HD model and delivers more than 30% faster performance on average, with quicker wake times and snappier app launches. The hardware specs are modest but practical. The stick runs a quad-core 1.7GHz processor and ships with 8GB of onboard storage. It supports HD resolutions — 720p and full 1080p — up to 60 frames per second, and is compatible with HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG formats. For audio, the device passes Dolby-encoded sound through HDMI. A short USB-C to USB-A cable is included to hook the stick to a TV's USB port. That cable supplies what Amazon calls Direct Power, so the stick can run without a separate wall adapter. If a TV doesn't have an available USB port, or if the port doesn't deliver enough juice, users can still power the device with a separate adapter — but that adapter isn't included. Amazon on portability and use cases "It's a pretty capable thing to upgrade any TV in your house," Aidan Marcuss, Amazon vice-president for Fire TV, said when describing the new model. "If you've got the kitchen TV that’s perfectly placed for where it is, like, here's a way to upgrade it." That emphasis on portability is explicit. Amazon describes the stick as its most portable Fire TV device and positions it as an easy way to add smart streaming to smaller sets, travel TVs and guest rooms — or to clear a power outlet that's busy with other devices. A new operating system: Vega OS This Fire TV Stick HD is one of Amazon's first entry-level players to ship with Vega OS, the Linux-based software Amazon introduced late last year on higher-end Fire TV hardware. Vega OS is designed for speed and security. Amazon says the change helps the device boot and run apps faster than older Android-based Fire OS builds. There are trade-offs. Vega OS limits how the device handles apps and storage compared with past Android-based Fire TV sticks. Sideloading third-party apps is restricted, and plugging in external USB storage isn't supported in the same way it was under Android. That matters for users who like to run apps that aren't available in Amazon's app store or who hoped to expand local storage with a thumb drive. Connectivity and controls Wireless connectivity has been upgraded. The new stick supports Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, which should help keep streams stable and improve remote performance in busy home networks. The device pairs with a voice remote and includes Amazon's Alexa+ features for searching content, controlling smart-home devices and asking for recommendations. Amazon notes some Alexa+ functionality is rolling out to certain countries first. Because the stick draws power from a TV port, set-up is simpler if a television has a spare USB socket. The product supports HDMI output only, so it still requires an HDMI input on the TV. For older sets or those without an available USB port, the included cable can be used with a third-party power adapter, but users will need to source that adapter themselves. Accessibility and software touches Amazon continues to add accessibility options to its Fire TV line. The new HD stick includes features such as Dialogue Boost, Audio Descriptions and High Contrast Text.

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The Fire TV Stick HD costs US$34.99, is available for preorder and will ship from 29 April 2026.

This article was created with AI assistance.