2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd Gen: Updated and Comparison

EdwardKL

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2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd vs 1st Gen: what's been updated​

Are you picking up a TV streaming device for the 2022 Black Friday deal? Amazon's Fire TV Cube third-generation streaming player has launched and I'm sure it's on many people's consideration list. We've compared the Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen vs 1st Gen here to show you exactly what's been updated in the latest version of the Fire TV Cube. Finally, you can consider whether you need to buy it or not.
2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd Gen Updated and Comparison.jpg

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd vs 1st Gen Specs​


SpecsFire TV Cube 3rd GenFire TV Cube 2nd GenFire TV Cube 1st Gen
Year202220192018
Price139.99$119.99/59.99/
Processor / GPUOcta-core 4x 2.2GHz 4x
2.0GHz, with 800 MHz GPU
Hexa-core, with ARM Mali G52-MP2 (3EE), 800MH GPUAmlogic s905z, Quad-core 1.5GHz
Video FormatsDolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9, AV1Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9
Video Resolution720p/1080p/2160p720p/1080p/2160p720p/1080p/2160p
Video Frames Per Second(FPS)60 FPS60 FPS60 FPS
Audio FormatsAAC-LC, AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), FLAC, MP3, PCM/Wave, Vorbis, Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC), Dolby MATDolby Atmos, Surround SoundDolby Atmos, Surround Sound
Storage (ROM)16 GB16 GB16 GB
Memory (RAM)2 GB2 GB2 GB
PortsHDMI Input, HDMI Output, IR Extender, Power, USB-A, Ethernet portHDMI Output, Power, Micro USB, Wired Infrared support, EthernetHDMI Output, Power, Micro USB, Wired Infrared support
Amazon Alexa Voice ControlOn-board for most TV CommandsOn-board for most TV CommandsCloud
Remote Control4th Gen Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote2nd Gen Fire TV and 3rd Gen Alexa Voice Remote1st Gen Fire TV Remote
Wi-Fi ConnectivityWi-Fi 6E Tri-band. Also supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wifi networks (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz dual band).802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; 2x2 MIMO (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz dual band)802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; 2x2 MIMO (2.4 GHz)
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0 + LEBluetooth 4.2 + LEBluetooth 4.2 + LE

Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen vs 1st Gen: What's Different?​

You can find the three TV streaming devices released in 2022, 2019 and 2018, respectively in the Fire TV Cube spec sheet. Moreover, the earliest first-generation Fire TV Cube is no longer available for sale. Compared with the first generation Fire TV Cube, the second generation mainly upgraded the processing chip, added Ethernet wired network interface, and voice remote control. As the first generation Fire TV Cube is no longer likely to be available, we mainly compare the differences between the third generation and the second generation Fire TV Cube.
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2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen: Quick Decision​

The Amazon Fire TV Cube 3rd Generation was released in September 2022 and you can get it now for $140. Its predecessor, the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen, started at $120, but now you can get it for $60 - half off. That's a real big discount. So if you're going to make a quick choice, I'm here to tell you: the Fire TV Cube 3rd Generation makes important updates to the appearance, processor, WiFi, and voice remote control. If you ask me, is it worth $140? Then my answer is: Yes, the 2022 Amazon Fire TV Cube 3rd Generation is worth the price.

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen features.jpg

But if you want to save money and enjoy a nice streaming service? The $60 Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen is still worth buying: it has video processing technology with Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, and supports 720p/1080p/2160p and Dolby Atmos, so the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen has a very good picture. And it has acceptable Bluetooth and wireless network speed. Generally, once a tech product is released in a new version, its predecessor will get a nice price discount, but its performance is still acceptable.
Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen features

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen: Processor​


The 2022 Fire TV Cube features a new design with a cloth grill covering the built-in speakers and an updated processor of Octa-core 4x 2.2GHz 4x, 2.0GHz, with 800 MHz GPU. This processor is said to be twice the processor of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which should shorten app loading times and also help speed up video playback performance in apps. Compared to the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen, it has an increased processor from 6 to 8 cores for better processing power and smoother usage than its predecessor.
2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen Processor.jpg

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen: Display​


When we compare 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen you will see that both TV boxes support Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG, H.265, H.264, VP9 video formats which means they both have good picture performance and both support 4K display. The difference is that the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd also supports the AV1 video format.

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen Display


Simply put, the AV1 codec is 30% more efficient than H.265. As per the performance graph from the Graphics & Media Lab Video Group, MSU below, AV1 is able to provide the same quality as X264 at 55% of the avg. bitrate while the best HEVC encoder (x265 in three-pass Placebo mode) runs at 67% of the bitrate

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen: Audio​

Compared to the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen, the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen has more enhancements in audio formats; the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen only supports Dolby Atmos and Surround Sound, but the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen has AAC-LC, AC3, eAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), FLAC, MP3, PCM/Wave, Vorbis, Dolby Atmos (EC3_JOC), Dolby MAT and other audio formats. Simply put, you'll enjoy a better sound experience in the Amazon 2022 Fire TV Cube! Simply put, you'll enjoy a better sound experience in the Amazon 2022 Fire TV Cube.
2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen Audio.jpg

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen: Connectivity​

AV1​

Both of these TV streaming devices are square in shape, and their connections are similar: both have simple HDMI, USB, charging and wired network ports. The difference is that the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen adds IR extender, which allows us to control external devices connected to the TV using Smart Touch Control. the IR Extender sensor sends IR signals to the appropriate external device.
2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd gen connectivity.jpg

Bluetooth​


In addition, Bluetooth is updated to Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi is updated to Wi-Fi 6E in the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen. Simply put, both Bluetooth and wireless network transmissions are more stable and faster in the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen than in the 2nd Gen.

Bluetooth 4.2 on the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen transmits data at 1 Mbps, while Bluetooth 5.0 doubles that to 2 Mbps. And the Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen has a much longer range. Bluetooth 4.2 can maintain a connection with another device up to 200 feet. With Bluetooth 5.0, that distance quadruples to 800 feet.
Fire TV Cube 2nd gen connectivity.jpg

WIFI​

Wi-Fi 6e on the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen delivers faster throughput speeds, longer battery life and less bandwidth congestion than the Wi-Fi 802.11ac technology that comes with the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen.

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen: Voice Remote​


In addition to the Fire TV Cube streaming device update, the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen comes with a voice remote that has also been updated from the 3rd Gen to the 4th Gen Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote. You can use the Amazon Voice Remote to search and launch content with your voice, or use preset buttons to quickly access favorite apps. Of course, you can also use the remote to control power and volume or control your smart home. You can ask Alexa to check the weather, dim the lights, view live camera feeds, play music, and more.
2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen vs 2nd Gen Voice Remote.jpg


In fact, along with the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen, the Alexa Voice Remote Pro - a new remote control with voice finder - was also announced, and you can learn more about its features in the Alexa Voice Remote Pro Guide.

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd Gen: Summary​


Overall, with the 2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd Gen comparison, you'll find that the latest Fire TV Cube 3rd Gen comes with important upgrades in looks, audio and picture, Bluetooth, wireless connectivity, remote control and processor.

2022 Fire TV Cube 3rd vs 2nd Gen comparison summary.jpg


Most importantly, compared to the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen's initial price of $120, it was released at $140 - a bit of a price increase, but within a reasonable range. That price is a bit steep at this point, but it's worth it. In contrast, its predecessor, the Fire TV Cube 2nd Gen, has dropped in price to $60 US. If you're just trying to save a few bucks, it'll be a good choice.
 
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