What appears to be a pair of new Fire TV devices have just received FCC approval, as first spotted by Janko Roettgers. Both of the two new models were submitted to the FCC by Amazon as a “Digital Media Receiver” and, while there is no explicit mention of either one being a Fire TV device, the fillings have familiar characteristics that allude to these being Fire TV Sticks. Furthermore, the two devices are variants of each other, which likely means these are either a standard model and a “Lite” model, or a standard model and a “Max” model.
The two new devices, which are very likely 2023 Fire TV Sticks, list an FCC ID of 2A4DH-6392 and model number of M3N6RA for one of the devices, while the other device is assigned FCC ID 2A4DH-6387 and model number K3R6AT. To make things easier to follow, I’ll be referring to the first as the “M” device and the second as the “K” device. The first indication that these are Fire TV devices is their “Digital Media Receiver” designation, which Amazon has used in the past for Fire TV models, but the FCC filing also lists them as being connected to a large “accessory” made by LG during testing, which is likely an LG TV or monitor, and being used with a Bluetooth accessory, which is likely the Fire TV remote.
The two devices are similar enough to be listed in the FCC as variants of one another, but are different enough to require separate FCC IDs and tests. The primary difference between these two devices that has been revealed by the FCC filing is that the “M” model is a WiFi 6 device, while the “K” model is a WiFi 6E device. Since these are very likely new Fire TV Stick models and they are variants of each other, it’s probably safe to assume they will be one of the following three possible model pairs: a 4th-gen Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max, or a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K and an all-new Fire TV Stick 4K Lite model.
The current Fire TV lineup includes the 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, which were both released in 2020 and are identical to each other as far as hardware goes. They only differ by a few software differences and the remote that is bundled with each. The lineup also has the 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K, which was released in 2018 and is the oldest model still being sold, as well as the 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which was released in 2021.
Since these two new models support WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E, I would guess that they are 4K devices, since it seems unlikely Amazon would be able to offer the latest WiFi standard at the price point of the Fire TV Stick at $39.99, let alone the price of the Fire TV Stick Lite at $29.99. Since I’m already expecting Amazon to update the Fire TV Stick 4K this year for several reasons, I think it’s likely that one of these two new devices is a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K. That would leave the other model being either a “4K Lite” or a “4K Max” model.
The new “M” device being an all-new “4K Lite” model seems very unlikely since that would mean the new “K” device would be a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K with WiFi 6E, making it have superior WiFi compared to the existing Fire TV Stick 4K Max. A new “4K Lite” would also mean the already crowded Fire TV Stick lineup would balloon to 5 different models. While the existing Fire TV Stick 4K Max is only two years old at this point, I think it’s far more likely that it will be updated a bit early with the new “K” device, giving the Fire TV Stick 4K Max a logical progression from WiFi 6 in the existing model to WiFi 6E in the new model. That would also mean the existing Fire TV Stick 4K with WiFi 5 would be replaced with the new “M” device with WiFi 6, which also makes perfect sense.
This may be a stretch, but the model numbers of the two new models seem to also suggest that they are replacements for the existing Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max. In recent years, Amazon has been assigning model numbers that resemble the device’s codename. The 3rd-gen Fire TV Cube is codenamed Gazelle and has a model number of GA5Z9L, which includes GZL for the codename Gazelle. The existing Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max are codenamed Mantis and Kara, respectively. If these two new FCC devices are replacements for the existing Mantis and Kara devices, it may not be a coincidence that they also have MN and KR as the first two letters in their model names, M3N6RA and K3R6AT.
Amazon will be revealing new 2023 devices on September 20th, so it shouldn’t be long before we know a lot more about these two new devices.
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They need to release a far-field hands-free Alexa commanded version of the Fire TV PRO remote control for all Fire TV sets. Meaning? For most cheaper Fire TV sets from OEM’s and even Amazon themselves, that don’t have far-field hands-free Alexa enabled microphones built-in? People can use (talk to) their Fire TV Pro remotes from across the room as a far-field microphone to use with the TV set…same as Roku does with their PRO remotes and “Hey Roku” command. Select a different wake-word or set it as priority to respond to over other Echos. I know you can pair Echos and Fire TV together, but it’s not quite the same experience.
I agree, that would be great. Not everyone has an echo and TVs with built-in Alexa have hands-free, so, that’s it.
My Roku Pro Voice Remote is often out of battery, presumably because it’s always listening (and one of my last few devices requiring microUSB to charge). So I’m not sure that’s who they should emulate!
I don’t know why this has never happened…but Qi charging should have been embedded into smart TV remotes a long time ago. Having to change out the batteries or plug a remote into a charger, is for the birds! You should just be able to set your remote next to you, on your Qi charging pad, sitting on your in-table, to charge every night and always be ready to go. If cost is too prohibitive? Then it should be a PRO remote option sold separately.
My Samsung TV remote has solar charging. I’d actually prefer it just had AAA batteries. My concern is longevity, since I don’t use the remote unless I need to change display settings on the TV.
I suspect cost and ‘why bother?’ are their primary reasons, especially if the remote can last quite a while on AA/AAA/rechargeable and/or they have integration with other smart services e.g. Alexa, smart phone apps, etc.
That said, one alternative may be a charging cradle similar to my Harmony remote, which I doubt would add much cost and can be sold at a premium as an accessory.
That’s why you get the fire tv cube. The price of a regular ftv stock and pro remote approaches that of the cubs when it goes on sale.
Maybe they’ll finally put more than 8 gigs of ram in these. Stop skimping Amazon!
I really hope so! The 2nd-gen 4K Max would be the perfect place to start offering 16GB.
Yes, 10 gigs or more should be standard
for the love of god when we can get chines sticks with better specs offer 4gig 128 and the abity to offer good wifi and maby network on it like ftp and web dev and fm tuner but thats all wish fule think people over build on amazon to stuff it just not and the market for enterment but fall short cause of dimwitted youtubers will jump on 512 meg and 1gig if tv os or amazon brought it outi got a buzz stick with better specs and has a mico slot witch can be done
Hmmm, to keep the discounted Fire Stick Max I have in the box or to return it, decisions decisions.
Check the current return policy. If no charge, try it out, put it through the paces and return it if it doesn’t meet your needs. You can let them know your issues at the Amazon site. Don’t forget to do a factory reset before returning it. Just my thoughts.
I bought it from a different retailer with a stricter returns policy, although I can return it unused within the next few weeks.
I reckon the current Max will be fine, but that doesn’t mean I can’t potentially benefit from a new model.
One thing I’ve just noticed though is that said retailer is OOS, which is unusual for them, so could be another sign of an impending refresh.
I’m really hoping they make the switch to USB-C on the next generation. That should be coming soon under the new EU device rules.
I’m looking forward to the day micro-USB charging is phased out.
For the love of GOD , I hope they add more than 8 GB and by default has an SD card Slot, its really crappy that in this day and age they think 8 gb is enough.. cant even download all my streaming apps.
Memory and storage have really made me regret buying TVs with built-in smart players. Our main living room TV is a TCL Roku. It apparently only has enough storage space for about eight services at a time… at least once a week when we launch something we have to wait for it to load.
I’m worried about that happening to both of our Fire TV Editions. Operating systems and apps certainly aren’t going to get smaller or less memory-intensive in the future.
These days the majority of TVs are smart anyway, but on my personal ones I never bother with the built in smart functionality and instead prefer external devices which tend to be better one way or another.
When buying a TV, my philosophy is ‘buy it as a TV first, smart device second’, because you can usually add any smart functionality later via an extenal device.
Agree with your comment and thinking completely. It reminds me of us audiophiles, opting over integrated sound systems, by purchasing separate components in configuring our sound systems to satisfy our individual tastes. The integrated system looked clean, nice and no having to deal with wires and connectors and worrying about seeing them. The downside, one thing goes bad, the whole unit has to be taken in for repairs. Then like now, they had built in designs to thwart recording copyrighted material. I have a couple of high def but “dumb” TVs with great input/out analog connections,used with my old YAMAHA XV700 5.0 receiver, my win 11 PC and I purchased some converter hubs and switches from Amazon.I don’t have to wait for “handshakes” except when I change digital sources through my hub. I guess this old retired guy is just yammering on to say that folks like us found ways to enjoy our entertainment without having to be sucked into supposedly “the latest and the greatest”
Built in smart players have always been a bad idea, but they were a popular idea with the buying public. Now it’s almost impossible to buy a TV without a useless smart player. I simply never give the system my wifi password, and so far my Samsung TV has not complained.
I’d love a new Max – it’s hard to justify dropping $120 on 5 Cube’s when they come out with new versions every 1-2 years. 40 bucks (x5) seems a lot more reasonable.
I bought a new Cube wanting to quit using my oldest, least used streaming device for security reasons. I considered the Max, but the upgrade of the 3rd generation Cube over the 2nd generation as my main device ended up being very significant, an unexpected result. The up-conversion to 4k is stunning, and either the increased processing power or upgraded Wi-fi really helps with the starting of processing of HDTV recorded video. The 2nd generation is still in use elsewhere, so its purchase was hardly a waste, and it still gets security updates though 2027.
Depending on the new 4K Max specs, I might just pick up a few cubes anyway even though they’re mad expensive. Been getting tired of the UI lags.
The 4K Max just sold out on Amazon today. Pretty compelling evidence that a new one is coming.
In the UK it’s not just sold out. It’s been removed from the lineup when you compare all fire TV devices.