My Fire Stick is dying, but I won't be buying the 2026 4K model over one missing feature

For several months, I've relied heavily on my Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, even as it showed signs of aging. Despite the slow performance due to numerous apps, I appreciated its extensive content library and convenient placement in the living room. When Amazon unveiled the new Fire TV Stick 4K (2026), I was intrigued by its sleek design and direct-power feature, which eliminated the need for a separate power cable.

Additionally, the updated Alexa Voice Remote offered improved ergonomics and the ability to find the remote with a built-in feature. However, after further investigation, I discovered one significant drawback: the switch to Vega OS. While Amazon claims Vega OS is faster than its Fire OS, I noticed the device operates with a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a limited app catalog.

As an avid user of third-party launchers and custom apps, the reduced app selection on Vega OS is a major setback. With only a few thousand apps compared to Android's 30,000, I find the tradeoff unacceptable. Despite the hardware improvements and upgraded remote, the limited software access makes me hesitant to upgrade from my current Fire TV Stick 4K Max.

Until Amazon expands the app offerings on Vega OS, I prefer keeping my existing device and its extensive library of apps over embracing the locked-down Vega OS platform.