With all the different Amazon Fire TVs, Fire TV Sticks (a.k.a Firesticks), Fire TV Cubes, Fire TV Pendants, Fire TV Edition televisions, and Fire TV Edition soundbars that have been released over the last few years, it’s difficult for some people to figure out exactly which model, version, year, or generation device that they own. This guide will help you easily determine what you have.
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1. Software Method (Recommended Method)
If your Fire TV is turned on, the recommended and easiest way to determine exactly which model you have is to install my Informer app. It’s available for free in the Amazon appstore and it will tell you which Fire TV model you have, what generation it is, when it was released, its specs, and much more. To install the app, simply search for “Informer” right from your Fire TV and the app should come up. Once you launch the app, it will display all the information about your specific Fire TV.
2. Hardware Method
If your Fire TV is turned off and you don’t want to power it on to use the Informer app to identify your device, scroll to the section below that describes the shape of your device to determine which model you have.
2.1 Fire TV Sticks
From top to bottom:1st-generation Fire TV Stick (2014)2nd-generation Fire TV Stick (2016)1st-generation Fire TV Stick Lite (2020)3rd-generation Fire TV Stick (2020)1st-generation Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick (2014)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that is 3.3 inches (84.9 mm) long, including the HDMI connector. Model Number: W87CUN (Printed on the back) Released: Novemeber 19, 2014
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick is physically the smallest model. On the side opposite the Amazon logo is a lot of text written in glossy black. It will say “Model No. W87CUN” if it is a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick. If the tiny text is too hard to read, you can measure the longest side (including the metal HDMI connector). If it’s 3.3 inches (84.9 mm) long, then it’s a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick.
2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick
Image: 2nd-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick (2016)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that is 3.75 inches (95.3 mm) long, including the HDMI connector, AND has the text “Amazon” logo. The size alone is not unique to this model. Model Number: LY73PR (Printed on the back) Released: October 20, 2016
On the side opposite the Amazon logo is a lot of text written in glossy black. It will say “Model No. LY73PR” if it is a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick. If the tiny text is too hard to read, you can measure the longest side (including the metal HDMI connector). If it’s 3.75 inches (95.3 mm) long and has the “Amazon” text logo, then it’s a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick. Amazon also released the 2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick outside of the US as the Fire TV Stick Basic Edition. The Basic Edition hardware is identical to the 2nd-Gen Fire TV Stick.
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick Lite & 3rd-Gen Fire TV Stick
Image: Alexa Voice Remote Lite, 2020 Fire TV Stick Lite / Fire TV Stick 3, Alexa Voice Remote
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Sticks that are 3.75 inches (95.3 mm) long, including the HDMI connector, AND have the arrow Amazon logo without the “Amazon” text. Model Number: S3L46N (Printed on the back) Released: September 30, 2020
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick Lite and 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick are completely indistinguishable from one another. That’s because the hardware for both is identical. Both devices have “Model No: S3L46N” written on the side opposite the Amazon arrow logo. The only way to definitively tell them apart is to power them on and check their settings. The 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick has an “Advanced Audio” menu under Settings > Display & Sound > Audio, while the 1st-gen Fire TV Stick Lite does not have this menu. Another way to tell them apart is by the remote that came with the device. If it came with a remote that has a power button, then it is the 3rd-gen Fire TV Stik, but if the remote does not have a power button, then it is the 1st-gen Fire TV Stick Lite. Do note that the remotes can be interchanged between the two, so you must know which remote originally came with the device, not just which remote happens to be working with it.
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick 4K
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2018)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that is 4.25 inches (108 mm) long, including the HDMI connector, that also has an Amazon arrow logo. Other Fire TV Stick models with only the Amazon arrow logo that are shorter than 4.25 inches are not a Fire TV Stick 4K. Model Number: E9L29Y (Printed on the back) Released: October 31, 2018
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The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K is the longest Fire TV Stick model, along with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, since both are identical in size. If you measure the length and find that it is longer than 4 inches, including the HDMI connector, and it has an Amazon arrow logo with no text, then it is the Fire TV Stick 4K because the Fire TVStick 4K Max has a logo that says “Fire TV” on it. On the side opposite the Amazon arrow logo is a lot of text written in glossy black where it will also say “Model No. E9L29Y” if it is a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K. Note that there is only one generation of the Fire TV stick 4K, since a 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K has not been released.
1st-Gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2021)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV Stick that has a “Fire TV” logo on it. All other Fire TV stick models have either an “Amazon” logo or just the Amazon arrow on them. Model Number: K2R2TE (Printed on the back) Released: October 7, 2021
The 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the only Fire TV Stick that has a logo that says “Fire TV” with the Amazon arrow below it. All other Fire TV Stick models use either a logo that says “Amazon” with an arrow under it or a logo that is just the Amazon arrow without any words. So, if your Fire TV Stick says “Fire TV” then it is without a doubt a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max. A 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K Max has not been released. The Fire TV Stick 4K and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and physically the same size, so the logo is the easiest way to tell them apart. On the side opposite the “Fire TV” logo is a lot of text written in glossy black where it will also say “Model No. K2R2TE” in the bottom left corner. Some people incorrectly call the Fire TV Stick 4K Max the “2nd-gen Fire TV Stick 4K” but that is not correct since it is its own product line.
2.2 Fire TV Cubes, Boxes, & Pendants
1st-Gen Fire TV
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV (2014)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV with an optical audio TOSLINK port. Model Number: CL1130 (Printed on the bottom) Released: April 12, 2014
If your Fire TV is a large flat square, take a look at the ports on the back. If the middle port is an optical audio TOSLINK port, which looks like a square with a hinged flap, then it is a 1st-gen Fire TV. On the rubber bottom, you’ll also find “Model No. CL1130” printed.
2nd-Gen Fire TV
Image: 2nd-generation Amazon Fire TV (2015)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV with a microSD card slot. Model Number: DV83YW (Printed on the bottom) Released: October 5, 2015
If your Fire TV is a large flat square and the second port from the right is a micro SD card slot, then it is a 2nd-gen Fire TV. On the rubber bottom, you’ll also find “Model No. DV83YW” printed.
3rd-Gen Fire TV
Image: 3rd-generation Amazon Fire TV (2017)
Unique Characteristic: Only Fire TV that is a hanging pendant/diamond form factor. Model Number: LDC9WZ (Printed on the bottom) Released: October 25, 2017
If your Fire TV is a square with a short HDMI cable attached to one corner, then it is a 3rd-gen Fire TV. On the back, you’ll also find “Model No. LDC9WZ” printed.
1st-Gen Fire TV Cube
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube (2018)
Unique Characteristic: None. You must look for the model number on the bottom. Model Number: EX69VW (Printed on the bottom) Released: June 21, 2018
If your Fire TV is a cube and made of shiny black plastic, the only way to physically determine if it is a 1st or 2nd generation model is to find the model number printed on the rubber bottom of the device. If it says “Model No. EX69VW” then it is a 1st-gen Fire TV Cube.
2nd-Gen Fire TV Cube
Image: 2nd-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019)
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Unique Characteristic: None. You must look for the model number on the bottom. Model Number: A78V3N (Printed on the bottom) Released: October 10, 2019
If your Fire TV is a cube and made of shiny black plastic, the only way to physically determine if it is a 1st or 2nd generation model is to find the model number printed on the rubber bottom of the device. If it says “Model No. A78V3N” then it is a 2nd-gen Fire TV Cube.
3rd-Gen Fire TV Cube
Image: 3rd-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022)
Unique Characteristic: The only Fire TV model that is wrapped in fabric. Model Number: GA5Z9L (Printed on the bottom) Released: October 25, 2022
If your Fire TV is a cube and it is wrapped in fabric, then it is a 3rd generation model. Previous generations had no fabric and were just hard shiny black plastic. The 3rd-gen Fire TV Cube is also the only one with two HDMI ports, one for IN and one for OUT. You can also check the bottom for “Model No. GA5Z9L” to be sure.
1st-Gen Fire TV Recast
Image: 1st-generation Amazon Fire TV Recast (2018)
If your Fire TV is a large rectangular box and it has a coaxial plug on the back, then it is a 1st-generation Fire TV Recast that was released on November 14, 2018. This is not a media player, like all of the other Fire TV models above. It is a network over-the-air (OTA) tuner and DVR that serves as an accessory to all Fire TV devices.
2.3 Fire TV Edition Televisions & Soundbars
Fire TV Edition devices are televisions and soundbars that have the Fire TV operating system / experience built into the device, so there is no need to connect an external Fire TV device to their HDMI ports. Fire TV Edition devices don’t really have generations, so this guide will help you determine the model year of your device.
Element TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Element, it is a 2017 model. Element only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Westinghouse TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Westinghouse, it is a 2017 model. Westinghouse only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Toshiba TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Toshiba, it is either a 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 model. To determine which model year your TV is, look on the label on the back of the device for the model number. Example model numbers are TF-32A710U21 and 43LF421C19. If the model number ends in “19” then it is a 2018 model, if it ends in “20” then it is a 2019 model, if it ends in “21” then it is a 2020 model, and if it ends in “22” then it is a 2021 model.
Insignia TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Insignia, it is either a 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 model. To determine which model year your TV is, look on the label on the back of the device for the model number. Example model numbers are NS-24DF310NA19 and NS-55DF710NA21. If the model number ends in “19” then it is a 2018 model, if it ends in “20” then it is a 2019 model, if it ends in “21” then it is a 2020 model, and if it ends in “22” then it is a 2021 model.
JVC TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by JVC, it is a 2019 model. JVC only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Grundig TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Grundig, it is a 2019 model. Grundig only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Onida TV
If your Fire TV Edition television is made by Onida, it is a 2020 model. Onida only made Fire TV Edition televisions for that one year.
Anker Nebula Soundbar
If your Fire TV Edition soundbar is made by Anker Nebula, then it is a 2019 model. Anker Nebula only made Fire TV Edition soundbars for that one year. Internally, it has the same capabilities as a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K.
TCL Soundbar
If your Fire TV Edition soundbar is made by TCL, then it is a 2019 model. TCL only made Fire TV Edition soundbars for that one year. Internally, it has the same capabilities as a 1st-gen Fire TV Stick 4K.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHICH
