(Credit: Amazon)
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Amazon is refreshing its Fire-branded TVs with new models that promise to be thinner while also improving performance.
At an event in New York City today, the company introduced the revamped Fire TV 2-Series, 4-Series, and Omni QLED TVs, building on its efforts to expand into the TV space, which kicked off in 2021 with affordable models.
The latest refresh includes Amazon’s flagship Fire TV Omni QLED Series, which will start at $479.99 and be available in 50-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models. Amazon says the new screens are 60% brighter than previous models.
“With nearly double the local dimming zones, you’ll enjoy brighter whites and crisper blacks, while Dolby Vision and HDR10+ Adaptive technology makes content appear more vibrant. Plus, an upgraded processor makes it 40% faster than before,” the company added.
With Omnisense technology, TVs can also automatically adjust their display colors based on a room’s lighting, and they can even turn themselves on when you enter the room.
(Credit: Amazon)For customers looking to spend less, Amazon developed the Fire TV 2-Series and 4-Series. Exact specifications weren’t given, but in the past, the TVs have used a lower-quality LED display that still offers 4K resolution.
The 4-Series comes in 43-, 50-, and 55-inch models and starts at $329.99; the 2-Series comes in 32- and 40-inch models and starts at $159.99. Both series also feature “ultra-thin metal bezels” and are expected to be 30% faster than the previous models, thanks to a new quad-core processor. They also have Omnisense technology.
(Credit: Amazon)In addition, the company developed a new Amazon Fire TV Stick for people looking to upgrade their existing screens with a dongle. The $39.99 Fire TV Stick 4K Select stands out by featuring Amazon’s homegrown operating system, the Linux-based Vega OS, instead of the Android-based Fire OS.
We’ll be curious about how it performs. For now, Amazon says “it works with your favorite streaming services, and will soon support Xbox Gaming, Luna, and Alexa+.” The new Fire TV Stick also supports 4K picture quality with HDR10+.
The products haven’t appeared on Amazon.com yet. However, the company plans to kick off preorders today, with shipments slated to start sometime next month. Buying the products also gives you free access to Alexa+, the company’s revamped digital assistant, which is free for Prime subscribers or $19.99 per month without a membership.
Also today, Amazon announced new Kindle Scribes, Echo devices, and Ring and Blink cameras.