Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025) VS Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025)

When it comes to features, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025) and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025) are completely identical across every spec in this group. Both support the same suite of HDR formats — HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG — and both handle Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus for audio. On the smart assistant and ecosystem side, both work with Alexa and support voice commands, while neither offers AirPlay, Chromecast built-in, Google Assistant, or Siri/Apple HomeKit compatibility.

The shared HDR trio is worth noting: HDR10+ and HLG complement the baseline HDR10 standard by enabling dynamic metadata and broadcast-friendly tone mapping respectively, making both sticks well-equipped for a wide range of streaming content. The Dolby Digital Plus support similarly ensures compatibility with most major streaming platforms′ premium audio tracks. However, the absence of AirPlay and Chromecast means users locked into Apple or Google casting ecosystems will find neither device accommodating.

Since every feature spec is a perfect match between the two, this group results in a complete tie. No advantage can be assigned to either device based solely on this data — a buyer′s decision here should be driven by differences in other spec groups such as performance, connectivity, or price.

Both sticks share the same 4K output, quad-core 1.7 GHz processor, and 8GB of internal storage — so the only performance differentiator in this group comes down to one spec: RAM. The Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025) comes with 2GB of RAM, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025) is equipped with just 1GB.

That gap matters more than it might initially appear. On a streaming stick, RAM is the primary resource governing how many apps can stay loaded in the background, how quickly the interface responds when switching between them, and how smoothly the home screen and app animations run. With only 1GB, the Select is more likely to reload apps from scratch after switching away — a noticeable friction point during everyday use. The Plus′s 2GB gives the OS considerably more headroom to keep frequently used apps warm in memory, resulting in a more fluid, responsive experience over time.

Given that the CPU, storage, and output resolution are identical, the RAM difference is the sole performance edge here — and it goes decisively to the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025). For users who multitask across several streaming apps or simply want a snappier interface, the extra gigabyte of RAM represents a meaningful real-world advantage.

Connectivity is where the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025) pulls ahead again. Both devices share HDMI 2.1 and USB Type-C, and neither offers ethernet, external storage, or Matter smart home support. The meaningful gaps lie in wireless: the Plus adds Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) to its repertoire, while the Fire TV Stick 4K Select (2025) tops out at Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).

Wi-Fi 6 isn′t just a speed upgrade — its real advantage is efficiency in congested environments. On a network with many connected devices, Wi-Fi 6′s OFDMA and TWT technologies reduce latency and improve stability, which translates to more consistent 4K streaming with fewer buffering interruptions. For users with a Wi-Fi 6 router and busy home networks, this is a tangible benefit. The Bluetooth gap — 5.2 on the Plus versus 5.0 on the Select — is less dramatic in day-to-day use, but Bluetooth 5.2 does introduce improvements to audio streaming efficiency and connection stability that can be appreciated with compatible peripherals like wireless headphones.

Across both wireless dimensions, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus (2025) holds a clear connectivity edge. Neither advantage will matter to every user — those on older routers or without Bluetooth accessories won′t notice a difference — but for anyone with a modern network setup, the Plus is the better-equipped device in this group.

The General Info group offers no differentiating data between these two devices — every spec is a perfect match. Both include a standard remote control, neither offers a rechargeable or customizable remote, and both carry a 1-year warranty.

This is a complete tie. Buyers looking for a distinguishing factor in this group won′t find one — the decision remains with the differences surfaced in other spec groups such as performance and connectivity.