Most Fire TVs don’t offer the picture quality or cutting-edge features of higher-end displays. That began to change recently when Panasonic announced the Z95A, anOLED TVwith the Fire OS built in. Now, Amazon itself is debuting a reasonably pricedQLED Mini-LED 4K Smart TVwith improved brightness and contrast ratios. The latest Omni especially appeals to gamers, offering a 144 Hz gaming mode. Amazon is also launching theSoundbar Pluswith a wireless subwoofer and rear channel speakers to complement this new Fire TV.
The Omni Mini-LED TVs are 55 to 85 inches in size and range in price from $819.99 to $2099.99. That makes them more costly than abudget 4K Fire TV, but well under the asking price of comparable OLED panels. Some of the key specs of the Omni include 1,400 nits of peak brightness and 512 dimming zones. That’s sufficient to enjoy the Fire OS' wide range of streaming apps in 4K quality with deeper blacks and a more expansive color palette. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive further enhance the vibrant colors the mini-LED panel produces.
Another weakness of most previous Fire TVs was their gaming capabilities. While an Xbox Series X or PS5 could be connected to their HDMI ports,120 Hz gaming TVswith VRR were not options. The Omni features a gaming mode that boosts refresh rates to 144 Hz, presumably with low latency. AMD FreeSync Premium support is also welcome for Xbox and PC gamers who demand the smoothest gameplay possible. Clearly, this new 4K display is designed to thrive with more than just Xbox or Luna cloud gaming.
Amazon Fire TV 55" Omni Mini-LED QLED 4K Smart TV
Amazon’s Omni Mini-LED QLED series exceeds picture and sound quality expectations in a Fire TV. The latest Fire TV features 512 dimming zones and 1,400 nits of peak brightness for deep blacks and vibrant colors enhanced by Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+. For smooth and responsive gameplay, the Omni Mini-LED display has a gaming mode with AMD FreeSync Premium support and a maximum 144 Hz refresh rate. Bolstered by the intuitive and ever-growing collection of Fire TV apps, the Omni also intelligently adapts its picture settings based on the content and room conditions.
Amazon isn’t abandoning viewers who aren’t interested in tweaking picture settings, either. The Omni Mini-LED TV harnesses the power of AI to detect content with darker scenes and adjust contrast levels accordingly. Viewing angles likely won’t match an OLED’s, but Amazon’s TV automatically adjusts its brightness for living rooms with large windows or darker gaming rooms.
The latest Omni won’t showcase any groundbreaking advancements in the Fire TV interface. Still, with tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, the set shouldn’t encounter any buffering issues with 4K movies and shows. Much of the recent focus on Fire TV Sticks, Cubes, and TVs has been related to the updated Ambient Experience. Using voice prompts, viewers can now create unique artwork to display while the Omni remains idle.
Sound is often overlooked on flat panel 4K TVs, but the Omni Mini-LED TV has promise with a 2.1 Dolby Atmos configuration. Regardless, most buyers would be better off considering Amazon’s 37-inch Fire TV Soundbar Plus. For a more authentic 5.1-channelsurround sound setup, adding a wireless subwoofer and a pair of rear speakers is now possible. The Soundbar Plus' Dialogue Enhancer ensures that no dramatic lines are misunderstood in movies with presets suitable for multiple types of content.
Not surprisingly, Amazon is also updating its less expensive4-Series Fire TVs. Most of the changes are cosmetic, like a thinner bezel that makes the 4K smart TVs look a bit more modern. The 2024 4-Series lineup is available in 43 to 55-inch varieties, with access to the most popular streaming apps like Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu.
It’s not the first time Amazon has debuted a new Fire TV streaming device or smart TV with little warning. The downside of this approach is that experts and end-users haven’t yet tested the Omni Mini-LED TV. Nevertheless, Amazon has finally responded to calls for higher-end Fire TVs that are suited for more than just bedrooms.
